Job Description: Gallery Invigilator for Scream-Along Exhibition

Position Title: Gallery Invigilator

Reports To: Saskia Takens-Milne 

Employment Type: Freelance - Paid an hourly rate

Location: The Basement, The Bohemians Hair Salon, 53 Deptford Broadway, Deptford, London, SE8 4PH

Hours: 1st March-30th March - Thurs & Fri 2pm-8pm Sat & Sun 12pm-6pm - Flexible hours available. Please specify on your application which hours you are able to work.

Salary: £14.05 per hour 

Role Summary

The Gallery Invigilator ensures the safety and security of artworks while providing a welcoming and informative experience for visitors. This role requires excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, along with a genuine interest in feminism, art and cultural engagement. All the details of the exhibition are available here - please familiarise yourself with the exhibition and the associated academic research before applying.

Key Responsibilities

Visitor Engagement

  • Greet visitors warmly and provide information about the exhibition.

  • Proactively engage visitors in conversation about the exhibition.

  • Answer visitors’ questions or direct them to available resources for further information.

  • Handle complaints or conflicts using active and empathetic listening (training literature provided).  

  • Follow disclosure protocol.

  • Request visitors complete physical or online feedback forms.  

  • Provide feedback on visitor interactions and behaviours to improve exhibitions and services.  

  • Provide daily visitors numbers.

Artworks and Exhibition Care

  • Monitor gallery spaces to ensure the safety and security of all artworks.

  • Monitor the feedback blackboard and remove any offensive content.  

  • Photograph the feedback blackboard daily as part of the exhibition evaluation.  

  • Put the poster on/off the lamppost at opening and closing times.

  • Enforce gallery rules in a polite and professional manner.

Gallery Maintenance

  • Ensure the gallery space is clean, tidy and presentable at all times.

  • Report any maintenance issues or concerns to the salon and Saskia Takens-Milne

Health and Safety

  • Adhere to health and safety regulations in the gallery.  

  • Be aware of disability and access requirements.  

  • Assist the public in evacuation situations in accordance with evacuation procedures (training provided).  

Qualifications and Skills

Essential

  • Interest in and knowledge of contemporary visual arts.

  • Interest in and knowledge of feminism. 

  • Excellent communication and customer service skills.

  • Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently.

  • Observant, with the ability to identify and address potential issues quickly.

  • Experience of working with the public.

  • Awareness of access issues and disability requirements.

  • Experience of reception, retail or other customer service roles.

  • Awareness of Health & Safety issues.

  • High levels of presentation and professionalism.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the local area

  • Experience of empathetic listening techniques eg NVC

  • Previous gallery or museum work

  •  Foreign language, particularly community languages (esp. Vietnamese, Polish, Xiang (Hunanese), Min dialect, Gan dialect, Wu dialect, Kejia or Hakka dialect  or French) and/or sign language skills

  • Educated to A level standard or equivalent

Working Conditions

  • Flexible hours available. Please specify on your application which hours you are able to work.

  • Applicant will need to be able to comfortably climb stairs due to limited access to the gallery.

  • Smart casual dress code is required. 

  • This is a freelance position. Invigilators are responsible for making their own tax and NI contributions.

To Apply:
To apply for this position, please email your CV and a brief cover letter to saskia@saskiatakensmilne.com by 31st January 2025. Include any relevant experience and why you’re interested in the position.

Deadline: 31st January 2025

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.