In just a few months Cutty Sark re-opens to the public. A BBC documentary filmed over a number of years will be on BBC 2 this Friday at 9pm. 

We allowed the BBC unique access to the ship during the conservation project, the film features exclusive interviews with the key people responsible for bringing this national treasure back to life, including HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, whose affinity with the ship spans more than half a century.

Work began to conserve Cutty Sark in 2006, with a vision that was both audacious and controversial: to lift the ship three metres into the air and surround her in a sea of glass and steel.

But just months in to the project, in the early hours of the morning, fire broke out and one of the most historically significant ships in the world went up in smoke – or so it seemed.

With the damage less serious than first thought, Cutty Sark was not lost.  Over the years, our conservation team has gone to great lengths to preserve the ship’s authenticity. Meet the men and women using pioneering techniques and traditional skills to save this rich slice of British history.

CUTTY SARK ENTERPRISES LTD

JOB DESCRIPTION: Visitor Assistant

Responsible to: Visitor Services Manager

Purpose of Job

To provide outstanding service and to maximise admission and retail sales in order to achieve targets set by Cutty Sark Enterprises Ltd. Making visitors feel welcome when they come on board the ship and ensuring every visit is friendly, exciting, safe and clean, at the ticket office, in the shop or out and about on the ship. To promote the Cutty Sark as a first class visitor attraction through learning about all aspects of the ship and passing on this information to visitors whenever possible.

Key Responsibilities:

Visitor Reception Duties

• Actively assist and direct visitors, ensuring that everyone receives the warmest welcome and exemplary service at all times, in accordance with our agreed standards.
• Maintain a strong team atmosphere, by injecting enthusiasm and promoting a harmonious friendly climate.
• Ensure the cleanliness and good presentation of the ship and take necessary steps to rectify deficiencies. Cleaning duties may include sweeping decks, cleaning brass and glass, WCs, mess room and offices.
• On rotation, serving in the ship’s shop, at the entrance desk, as a meet and greeter and patrolling the decks. (Meet and Greeters encourage viewers to become visitors, promote the gift aid scheme, facilitate the movement of visitors around the ship and thank customers for their visit).
• Assist with the logging and welcoming of tour groups and educational groups, paying attention to any specific needs as advised by the Duty Managers.
• Be fully aware of, and adhere to, the contents of the Cutty Sark Visitor Care Handbook.
• Other duties as may be required, including manning the ship for evening functions.

Retail Duties

• To maximize retail sales via excellent product knowledge and customer service.
• To re-stock shop and assist in the stock rooms as required by Duty Managers and ensure key product lines remain stocked throughout the day.
• Work in accordance with the Cutty Sark’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Cash handling, including monies taken in the shop and at the entrance desk and adhering to cash and financial procedures as required by the Duty Managers.
• Bank money taken during the previous day.
• Mail delivery to and from the office.
• Set up areas of the ship for functions, events, workshops, seminars etc. and return to their usual format after the completion of the event.
• Portering of goods, materials and furniture within the ship.
• Be aware of and comply with Cutty Sark’s Health and Safety Policy and act as required in the event of an emergency situation, including assisting in the evacuation of the ship in the event of a fire, security alert or other emergency in accordance with our current emergency procedures.
• Patrol the ship as required, monitoring the safety and security of visitors, exhibits and the ship.
• To ensure that public areas of the ship are clear of visitors at closing time, that no items are left and that all areas are checked for any potential hazard to the ship, e.g. running taps, suspicious packages etc, and any found are reported to the Duty Manager.
• Demonstrate at all times the highest level of professionalism, dedication and confidentiality.

General Duties:

• Participate in appropriate development and training activities when required.
• Undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.

Skills and Experience:

Essential Skills:

• Experience of working with the public, with excellent communication skills
• Enthusiasm for learning about Cutty Sark’s history and stories
• Enthusiasm for museums, ships or London history
• Experience of working with a diverse range of people
• Able to work alone and use initiative
• Experience of working within a team
• A commitment to good customer service
• Reliability and good time-keeping skills

Terms and conditions:

Full and part time contracts are available. You will be required to work on a flexible working pattern including weekends and bank holidays. Weekend working includes both Saturday and Sunday. Your normal hours of work are 8.30am to 5.30pm. Over the peak summer period you may be required to work extended hours on pre-determined evenings.

Salary: £13,060 - £16,500

Application Details:  For details of how to apply please visit www.rmg.co.uk/jobs

Closing date:  9 February 2012

We regret we are unable to reply to every applicant.  If you do not hear from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume you have not been shortlisted.

CUTTY SARK ENTERPRISES LTD

Role Description: Learning Volunteer

Responsible to: Visitor Services Manager (under instruction from Learning Manager/freelancers)

Responsible for: Visitors in learning groups

Purpose of Role:

Cutty Sark will be launching a brand new learning programme for families when it re-opens in April 2012. We are looking for committed volunteers to help support that programme. You will also have access to discounts in our shop and restaurant, and be able to include experience gained at the Cutty Sark on your C.V.

Key Responsibilities:

• To assist freelancers and staff with the set up for workshops and activities, including preparing and tidying away materials
• To help to welcome and assist families at events, ensuring they have an enjoyable experience
• Support the delivery of family activities as required
• Assist with evaluating the workshops and events
• Assist with recording attendance numbers for events

What we’re looking for in our volunteers:

• Some experience of working with children
• Enthusiasm for learning about Cutty Sark’s history and stories
• Excellent communication skills, friendly and welcoming
• Able to work alone and use initiative
• A commitment to good customer service
• Reliability and good time-keeping skills

What’s in it for you?

• The opportunity to develop your knowledge about Cutty Sark and heritage learning
• Experience of working in a busy heritage attraction
• Experience of working with the general public, families and young people
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Development of customer service and organisational skills
• Development of communication skills

Time Commitment:

Volunteers will be needed for weekend and holiday activities, with typical hours of around 10am-4pm. We ask for a 3 month commitment in the first instance

How to apply:

Send your application to Royal Museums Greenwich who are working in partnership with Cutty Sark Enterprises Ltd

Forward a covering letter and CV, together with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form found on the Royal Museums Greenwich website, to volunteer@rmg.co.uk.   There is no need to complete an application form

Or post your application to: Helen Webb, Volunteer Manager, Royal Museums Greenwich, Park Row, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

If you have any questions about this role phone 020 8312 6543

CUTTY SARK ENTERPRISES LTD

Role Description: Volunteer Visitor Assistant

Responsible to: Visitor Services Manager

Purpose of role:

The Cutty Sark team are looking for volunteers to enhance the visitor welcome and experience. Your role will be varied, one day you might be welcoming people, another day you might be in the schools entrance helping to organise large groups of children. Volunteers will assist the Visitor Services team in providing outstanding customer service, making visitors feel welcome when they come on board the ship and ensuring every visit is friendly, exciting and safe.

We are looking for approachable people (at least 15 years old) for 2 or more days a week. You will be offered the Welcome Host qualification and gain experience in customer service. You will also have access to discounts in our shop and restaurant, and be able to include experience gained at the Cutty Sark on your C.V.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pro-actively promote the Cutty Sark’s offer to visitors, ensuring that everyone receives the warmest welcome and exemplary service
• Maintain a strong team atmosphere, by injecting enthusiasm and promoting a harmonious friendly climate
• Ensure the cleanliness and good presentation of the ship
• On rotation, assist the in-house team in the ship’s shop, at the entrance desk, as a meet and greeter and patrolling the decks
• Assist with the logging and welcoming of tour groups and educational groups.
• Set up areas of the ship for functions, events, workshops and seminars and return after return to their usual format after the completion of the event.
• Portering of goods, materials and furniture within the ship as required
• Assist in the evacuation of the ship in the event of a fire, security alert or other emergency, in accordance with our current emergency procedures
• Patrol the ship as required, monitoring the safety and security of visitors, exhibits and the ship

What we’re looking for in our volunteers:

• Enthusiasm for learning about Cutty Sark’s history and stories
• Excellent communication skills
• Reliability and good time-keeping skills
• Demonstrate a commitment to deliver excellent customer service - training will be provided
• Have a flexible approach to working as part of a team
• Be able to remain mobile and stand for up to 2 hours at a time; some of your volunteering will be based outdoors

What’s in it for you?

• The opportunity to develop your knowledge of Cutty Sark
• Experience of working in a busy heritage attraction
• Experience of working with the general public, families and young people
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Development of customer service and organisational skills
• Development of communication skills

Time Commitment:

Volunteers will be needed for all activities, with typical hours from 10am-4pm. We ask for a 3 month commitment in the first instance

How to apply:

Send your application to Royal Museums Greenwich who are working in partnership with Cutty Sark Enterprises Ltd

Forward a covering letter and CV, together with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form found on the Royal Museums Greenwich website, to volunteer@rmg.co.uk.   There is no need to complete an application form

Or post your application to: Helen Webb, Volunteer Manager, Royal Museums Greenwich, Park Row, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF

If you have any questions about this role phone 020 8312 6543