Display Hall Volunteer at Jet Age Museum

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

VOLUNTEER GUIDES – PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OPENINGS

ROLE

Jet Age Museum engages with people in Gloucestershire and beyond to foster and inspire interest in the aviation history of the County from the earliest days of flight, through the birth of the Jet Age to the modern aerospace industry of today. 

The role of volunteer guides is to welcome and engage with visitors of all ages, especially families and help them get the most out of the Museum experience. Working closely with the volunteer Duty Manager, guides will help our visitors enjoy all aspects of the Museum in one, or more, of the 7 different roles outlined below. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

General (all guides):

To be welcoming and engage with our visitors and support fellow volunteers by being respectful, polite and helpful at all times.

To ensure safety standards are maintained and any accidents, incidents or near misses are reported to the Duty Manager immediately.

To comply with our Safeguarding Policy and the ‘no touch’ rules for engagement with children and vulnerable adults except when life or limb are in danger.

To act as a marshal if a fire alarm or evacuation is initiated ensuring visitors leave the premises by the nearest safe exit.

To refer all requests to donate to the Museum or seeking to use Museum facilities for private events to the Duty Manager.  

To encourage donations and gift aiding from visitors when appropriate. 

To monitor activity around the Museum, answer visitor questions as required and refer matters of concern to the Duty Manager.    

Role 1 - Reception Desk:

To welcome visitors to the Museum and offer a brief explanation of what we offer and the facilities available.

To explain we do not charge for admission but seek donations, gift aided where possible, to help fund our running costs and future improvements to the Museum.

To count visitors ‘in’ on the adult and children counters provided.

To operate the till and card machine to accept payment for shop sales, other purchases and donations made by card transaction.

To support the Duty Manager in the event of fire or evacuation by staying at reception, if safe to do so, to take calls from the Alarm Monitoring Service.   

Role 2 - Shop Desk:

To engage with visitors and introduce youngsters to the Quiz and Treasure Trail.

To monitor the shop and restock as required, helping visitors with purchases and referring purchasers to Reception to make payment. 

To issue kids quiz prizes and prepare used quiz sheets for reissue. 

Role 3 - Horsa Corner Desk:

To engage with visitors to the Horsa corner area and explain what else is available to see from the workshop viewing area and in the Community Learning Space.

To highlight temporary displays and videos that are playing as required.

To [when required] engage visitors seeking Workshop visit timed tickets explaining the system, access restrictions/safety requirements and issuing tickets. 

Role 4 - Display Hall Cockpits:

To engage with visitors to the open cockpits and invite all to experience them.

To explain the history of each cockpit and how they work as appropriate. 

Role 5 - Vulcan (including joint Trident/Vulcan ticket desk):

To engage with visitors seeking timed tickets for the Trident and Vulcan explaining the system, access restrictions/safety requirements and issuing tickets.  

To welcome visitors to the Vulcan tours, check and collect tickets, returning these to the ticket desk as soon as practical and monitor visitors using the steep crew ladder closely to ensure safe entry and exit. 

To engage with visitors in the cockpit offering information about the aircraft and its historical significance. 

To be aware of and follow Vulcan opening, operating, closing and safety instructions as detailed in published procedures.

Role 6 - Trident:

To welcome visitors to the Trident tours, check and collect tickets, returning these to the ticket desk as soon as practical. 

To engage with visitors in the cockpit or cabin offering information about the aircraft and their historical significance, ensuring time is allocated for visitors to view the video in the cabin area. 

To be aware of and follow Trident opening, operation, closing and safety instructions as detailed in published procedures.

Role 7 - Café:

To welcome visitors to the café and provide food and drink as required. 

To operate the till to accept payments and cash-up after closing.

To be aware of and follow the opening, closing and safety [including with Food Hygiene] instructions detailed in Café Procedures. 

SKILLS/INTERESTS NEEDED:

An interest in history, aviation or the heritage sector is desirable and a desire to be part of a team running the Museum and helping visitors enjoy the experience. Note: an interest in aviation not essential for café volunteers.   

Good communication skills and a flexible approach to activities and people.

TRAINING OFFERED:

Comprehensive OJT from experienced volunteers and access to the volunteers’ library and online material about the Museum’s collection and historical background.

TIME COMMITMENT SUGGESTED:

A minimum of 2 days each month: at weekends/other public opening days (09.30 to 16.00) or, 4 half-days (09.30 to 13.00 /12.30 to 16.00) and when the Museum is open for private visits, mornings (09.30 to 12.00), afternoons (13.30 to 16.00), evenings (17.30 to 20.00).  

LOCATION: 

At the Museum.

MAIN POINT OF CONTACT/SUPERVISOR: 

The volunteer Duty Manager when the Museum is open and the Volunteer Co-ordination team at other times.