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Job title and reference: Security Assistant (ref: CCE7.23)

Salary range: £24,953 per annum (rising to £25,456 after probation)

Hours of work: An average of 37 hours per week, 12-hour shifts following a rotating pattern. Work hours are during the day and night, and over weekends and bank holidays. 24 hour operation.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a unique attraction in south east London where world cultures and the natural world are brought together for everyone to enjoy. The Museum holds internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as a popular natural history gallery and Aquarium. The 16 acres of beautiful Gardens feature a tropical Butterfly House and offer stunning views across London.

We are looking for an experienced Security Assistant to maintain the safety and security of the Museum Collections and Estate and ensure the safety of staff and visitors using the museum facilities. The role includes patrolling, monitoring systems, providing a reception facility, maintaining written records and providing reports.

You’ll have experience of working successfully with both staff and the public in a security-focussed role, preferably in a museum or other visitor attraction. You’ll be able to communicate well in person and over both radio and phone with a diverse group of staff, visitors and contractors. You’ll be able to maintain security procedures as part of a team who provide both a smooth day-to-day security operation, and respond calmly when overseeing emergency situations.

The closing date for completed applications is 10am on Thursday 11 May 2023.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 30 May 2023.

The Horniman is an equal opportunities employer and we value and celebrate diversity. We want to better represent the communities in which we work but recognise that there is still much work to do in this area. We welcome and encourage all applicants and particularly encourage you to apply if you are from a community that is often disadvantaged by society or of an ethnically minority background.

How to Apply

Click on “Apply Now” at the top or bottom of this page. When you apply you will be asked to upload a covering statement in Microsoft Word format (the document must be in .doc format and the maximum file size is 2 MB). Please also ensure that you have uploaded your CV as a separate document which you can do when you create an account or login.

Please provide an overview of no more than 2 pages describing your experience relevant to the role as outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification.

After the application closing date, please ensure you monitor your spam email folders for potential correspondence from us.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title Security Assistant

Section Estates

Reports to Security & Operations Manager

Responsible for No responsibility for staff

Hours of work Average of 37 hours per week, 12-hour shifts following a rotating pattern. Work hours are during the day and night, and over weekends and bank holidays. 24 hour operation.

Main purpose of the job

Maintain the safety and security of the Museum collections, displays and estate. Ensure the safety of staff and visitors using the museum facilities and contribute to the enhancement of the visitor experience.

Main responsibilities

Security and Customer Care (70%)

• Carry out and operate a radio communications at all times.
• Regularly patrol the museum buildings including public and private areas and external perimeters as directed by your line Manager.
• Monitor the CCTV security cameras, key card tracker and alarms, both on the main site and at the Study Collections Centre.
• Check and maintain the security of all doors, locks, windows, cabinets, exhibitions and the fabric of the building.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate levels of health and safety for the Museum, staff, contractors and members of the public.
• Participate in the security measures required in order to maintain the security of the site and the safety of people. This will include tasks such as control and monitoring of building and plant alarms, management of keys and undertaking bag searches as required.
• Provide reception facility, in person and by telephone, answering questions, providing information and forwarding requests to the relevant section. Issuing passes, keys and work permits, and keeping an accurate record of all activity.
• Render assistance to the Visitor Services team as required, which includes in an emergency.
• Carry out and record the weekly fire alarm test.
• Maintain records of contractors on site. Issue Permits to Work and passes and monitor contractors on site for adherence to rules.
• Maintain an accurate and full log of all incidents and occurrences.
• Provide cover for absent colleagues as necessary by working shifts as agreed with your line manager.
• Maintain an up to date awareness of all health and safety policies and emergency procedures in place at the Horniman museum.
• Follow procedures as detailed in the security manual and procedures file, obey the security chain of command when operating outside of authorised procedures.
• To keep up to date internal Artifax ( events and activities in the museum)
• To keep up to date re the Security Calendar

Emergency Response (10%)

• During the normal Museum opening times and during commercial events the Security Assistant will assist the Incident Controller and Duty Officer as directed during an incident. Outside of normal opening hours and when requested the Security Assistant will undertake the responsibilities of Incident Controller.
• Assist in all emergencies as required. Including liaising with the emergency services.
• Assist with the evacuation of the building by the quickest and safest method and route in the event of fire or security alert.
• Maintain clear radio contact with all points and ensure the giving and receiving of accurate information.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to the Fire Alarm Panel and other security alarms.
• Maintain an overview of all the fire zones, types of sensors, call points, fire extinguishers, emergency lights and emergency exits.
• Ensure all exit routes are clear and unlocked.

Maintenance and cleaning (10%)

• Carry out maintenance tasks (e.g. light bulb replacement) as agreed with your line manager
• Maintain the frontage of the museum - steps, paths and ramp - in a clean and tidy state throughout the day
• Carry out daily cleaning of other areas as agreed with your line manager
• Remove graffiti as directed using agreed procedures

General Duties (10%)

• Carry out general duties which will include manual handling duties
• Sort incoming mail and packages for staff to collect. Deliver/collect items for sections as required by your line manager.
• Provide security inductions to visitors, staff and contractors.
• Control traffic around the site, including providing access to vehicles and logging number plates in the daily occurrence/log book.
• Carry out and record tests, checks and routines as required. For example, public health services, patrols, plant functionality.
• Act as a first aider.
• Take part in courses and training as required by your line manager.
• Attend Security Team Meetings.
• Support the delivery of day to day operations and standalone events as appropriate.
• Maintain a familiarity with the Horniman Museum and Gardens event schedule.
• Act in a professional manner and uphold the Horniman’s Code of Conduct
• Any other duties as may be reasonably requested by management to ensure the smooth running of the Horniman Museum and Gardens.

Additional Requirements

• It is a condition that all Security team members are required to wear standard issue uniform and be of clean and tidy appearance.
• All Security team members will be equipped with a radio and are required to maintain effective contact with other radio users

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Minimum Shortlisting Criteria

• Experience in Security Operations over any sector. (E)
• Knowledge and application of health and safety guidelines including manual handling, lone working, use of Personal protective equipment (PPE) and electrical safety. (E)

Additional Shortlisting Criteria

• Experience of working successfully with the public in a large site (E), preferably a museum or other visitor attraction (D)

Further Selection Criteria – to be tested at interview

Education/qualifications

• Good standard of general education and literacy GCSE-level English (E)
• A current First Aid at Work certificate or willingness to undergo training to obtain FAW qualification (E)

Knowledge and experience

• Previous experience of working in a similar role or of providing an active security-focussed service (E)
• Experience in museum security (D)
• Knowledge and application of health and safety guidelines and the implementation of emergency procedures as required in a security role (E)
• Experience of using a variety of methods to communicate effectively with others in order to maintain effective security provision and deliver excellent Customer Service (E)
• Previous experience of working shifts (D).

Skills and abilities

• Ability to remain observant and alert at all times (E)
• Able to react calmly, and effectively in an emergency situation (E)
• Ability to use the radio to communicate clearly and concisely with other radio users (E)
• Able to work effectively as part of a team and build effective working relationships across the organisation (E)
• Able to carry out manual duties that will include cleaning, lifting and minor maintenance work (E)
• Ability to monitor computerised Mechanical and Electrical systems in the event of an emergency breakdown (e.g. central heating, electricity, air conditioning/humidifier (E)
• Basic IT skills (MS Word and Outlook and use of internet) (E)

Personal attributes

• An empathy with the Horniman mission and an interest in its exhibitions, activities and events (E)
• Commitment to equality and diversity (E)
• Willingness to work flexibly to achieve corporate objectives (E)
• Commitment to own learning and professional development (E)
• Good communicator who performs well individually and as part of a team (E)
• Demonstrate good timekeeping and reliability and be flexible in tasks and hours. (E)
• Being alert & observant (E)

Circumstances

• Able to work shifts, including overnight, weekends and bank holidays
• A basic DBS check is required for this post.
• Job activities may vary and evolve over time to meet business needs.

April 2023