General Maintenance Operative

ABOUT NATIONAL MUSEUMS NI

National Museums NI is a leading cultural institution and is responsible for ensuring that its significant collection is developed, cared for and accessible to the widest possible audience. Almost one million people enjoy our four museums each year, and through loans, research, community activity and digital programmes we engage a much wider audience than those who physically visit our museums.

We believe that our museums can play an important and valuable role at the heart of society. Through our work we preserve, protect and promote the region’s cultural assets, knowledge and collective memory. We provide shared and trusted spaces to explore who we are, where we have come from and where we might be going. We engage and work in partnership with the public to share stories and care for and present a vast range of objects bringing important cultural, educational, social and scientific ideas to life. We unite the past, present and future; enhance health and well-being; make places more attractive to live in, work and visit; and, create positive economic impact. We inspire present and future generations of pioneers, designers, makers and community leaders. Our museums are loved and trusted public institutions: they provide joy, prompt reflection, and foster curiosity about the world around us.

Our vision

To celebrate who we are, telling the stories of our past, challenging our present, shaping our future.

Our mission

-        Developing, managing and caring for the collections

-        Playing a leading role in the economic and social wellbeing of this place

-        Making collections accessible to the widest possible audience

-        Building an organisation where people feel valued

Our values

-        Striving for excellence – being the best we can be in everything we do; delivering excellent customer service internally and externally; sharing our expertise

-        Being authentic – being true to our collections; having integrity in everything we do; creating unique experiences

-        Working together – promoting team-work; building mutually beneficial partnerships; being receptive to others and their ideas

-        Showing respect – valuing everyone; supporting diversity; respecting collections

-        Being courageous – being ambitious in programming; embracing change; being brave and creative in the stories we tell; empowering our people

Our collections

We care for, develop and provide access to the National Collection of 1.4 million objects which are multidisciplinary, diverse and span all time periods, referencing Northern Ireland within and to the wider world. The collections are classified into six broad subject areas.

-              Art – with over 17,000 works, the art collection contains both historical and contemporary paintings, sculptures, works on paper, glass, ceramics, silver and metalwork, jewellery, furniture, costume and textiles significant at both a national and an international level

-              History – this is a multi-disciplinary collection that illuminates themes of social and cultural history, war and conflict, politics and economic history. It reflects evidence of people and events in this place from the earliest settlers, through the main archaeological and historical periods to the present day. It also includes objects collected from peoples and cultures around the world, which leave sensitive legacies to address today in terms of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism

-              Natural Sciences – collections cover botany, geology and zoology of this place, but also include material of international provenance

-              Emigration – our collections relate primarily to the social history surrounding the migration of people from Ulster and their settlement in North America from 1600 onwards

-              Folk Life and Agriculture – these collections focus on the ways of life and traditions of our people, in a western European context, from the late nineteenth century through to the early decades of the twentieth century

-              Transport, Industry and Technology – our collections cover all forms of transport built or used in Ireland, from the late eighteenth century to the present day. They also include oral and aural histories giving an insight into the collection and the local people who have contributed to the development of transport around the world

Our museums and locations

We have approximately 360 staff (230 FTEs) and operate over five sites:

-        Ulster Museum

-        Ulster Folk Museum

-        Ulster Transport Museum

-        Ulster American Folk Park

-        Collections Stores

All our museums are Accredited Museums. The Accreditation Scheme is administered by Arts Council England (ACE) which sets nationally agreed standards for UK Museums.

As an organisation, we believe in excellence, authenticity, teamwork, respect and courage and seek an individual who can share and embody our core values.

The following is an indication of the conditions of employment and is not intended to be exhaustive. A full list of details will be provided on appointment.

Hours and Attendance

This is a full time post and the successful candidate will work 37 hours per week. There is also a requirement to work weekends and public holidays for events and other operational requirements.

Salary

The post is graded on the AA salary scale currently £22,095 per annum (Pay Award Pending). The starting salary is normally the minimum of the pay scale.

Pension

National Museums NI staff are eligible for membership of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. Further details of the terms and entitlements under this generous scheme will be made available upon commencement of employment.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement will be 25 days, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service plus 12 bank / public holidays.

Learning and Development

National Museums NI promotes learning and development opportunities within the organisation.

In fulfilling the role, the postholder will undertake the following activities:

Maintenance

• To undertake general labouring and building maintenance works as instructed to include groundworks, drainage, plastering, bricklaying, joinery, gutter clearing, painting, etc
• To provide a general labouring services in support of the onsite electrician and joiner in relation to the day to day maintenance of the museum estate.
• To provide a general labouring services in support of the onsite grounds team including cutting grass, sweeping roads, lifting and collecting litter, emptying bins, collecting debris ash, sweeping and lifting leaves and general grounds maintenance.
• To assist in the minor maintenance of roads and walkways including removal of leaves, clearing of snow and salting, as per the Museum’s inclement weather policy.
• To assist other departments with logistical tasks, including moving furniture around the Museum, delivering or collecting items, delivering logs, turf and coal, moving exhibits, assisting at events and other general labouring duties as required.
• To undertake the set-up and breakdown of spaces for events and other functions as required.
• To be committed to good health and safety and access practice and ensure familiarity with National Museums NI health and safety policies, procedures and guidelines.
• To be courteous and polite at all times when in contact with the visiting public.
• To carry out weekend and public holiday working as part of a rota and as required for events and other operational requirements.

Learning and Development

• To undertake appropriate training and personal development programmes to enhance personal effectiveness.
• Ensure the delivery of National Museums NI’s Vision, Mission and Values.
• Act as a role model to staff and colleagues within National Museums NI.

Communication

• To maintain effective methods of internal communication including the use of appropriate technology.
• Ensure that information, is shared with all team members clearly, concisely and in a timely manner.
• Develop a close and productive working relationship across sites and all National Museums NI Directorates.

Other

• To carry out other duties as required by the Museum, consistent with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Essential Criteria

1.       A minimum of 2 GCSEs at Grade C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent) AND 6 months’ previous practical experience in general construction labouring OR 1 year’s previous practical experience in general construction labouring.

2.       A general knowledge of Health and Safety procedures and issues.

3.       Hold a current driving licence.

Desirable Criteria

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications, that the desirable criteria will be used as part of the shortlisting process.

1.       Experience in mini digger or tractor driving.

2.       Hold a MEWP 3A and 3B articulated boom operators licence.

3.       Hold a CSR Card.