Museum assistant job

Visitors are provided with assistance and information by museum assistants as well as those working in visitor services. They could also assist with the installation of exhibits, the cleaning of displays, the collection of admission fees, and the sale of merchandise in the museum store.

The Work Being Done

It's possible that:

meeting and assisting tourists, providing directions, and providing explanations of displays for visitors

assisting museum curators in the installation, movement, and modification of exhibits and objects

assistance with the packaging and unloading of artifacts that are either being shipped to other museums or have arrived from other museums.

offering trips to individuals as well as groups

collecting the entry fee (if one is required) and handing out tickets to attendees

The museum store is where you may purchase various mementos, including catalogues, books, and postcards.

ensuring the safety of the museum or tourist center by walking the premises, watching after the exhibits, and inspecting the visitors' carry-on luggage.

general reception activities such as accepting reservations, keeping records, and answering phones, among other responsibilities

contributing to the order and cleanliness of the museum

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual pay rates may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the magnitude of the business or organization for which you work.

the level of competition for the job.

The annual earnings of assistants working in museums or tourist centers may vary anywhere from £14,000 to £18,500, depending on the level of responsibility and the amount of experience they have. The annual compensation for supervisory positions may go up to around £25,000.

Conditions

The responsibilities shift significantly in accordance with the dimensions and nature of the museum or gallery in question.

In most cases, you will be required to dress in a uniform.

There are certain museums that require visitors to dress in period garb as part of the experience.

Although you spend most of your time inside, you may sometimes be required to work outside, particularly in agricultural or industrial theme museums.

In bigger museums, you can be required to work rotating shifts to cover the nights and weekends.

Getting In

A solid foundation in the liberal arts is beneficial. Some businesses could need courses at the National 4 or 5 level, with English and mathematics being the most desirable choices.

A Modern Apprenticeship in Creative and Cultural may provide you with the opportunity to enter.

It is beneficial if you have previous experience working in a museum or gallery via a volunteer program. There are a number of smaller galleries and museums that rely entirely on volunteer workers.

There are many opportunities for employment on a part-time or seasonal basis. This might lead to a job that requires 40 hours per week.

You may be required by some companies to have previous experience dealing with the general public or providing customer service.

In order to demonstrate that you are appropriate for this kind of employment, you will need to pass a PVG check, which stands for "Protecting Vulnerable Groups." For more information, please get in touch with Disclosure Scotland.

What are the Prerequisites?

You are required to have:

enjoyable as well as useful

positive in attitude and keenly engaged in the displays

ability to deliver exceptional client service

vigilant, watchful, and attentive of safety concerns

reliable and able to operate alone without supervision.

You are going to need to have:

a shrewd outward presentation

talents in verbal and nonverbal communication

the capacity to contribute effectively to the efforts of a group

a strong capacity for recalling details about displays

the capacity to connect with individuals of varying ages

excitement over the prospect of making new friends.

Training

If you were participating in a Modern Apprenticeship, you would work toward obtaining a Diploma in Cultural Venue Operations at the SCQF Level 6 level.

Some organizations provide in-house training programs that may eventually lead to the acquisition of required certifications.

Your orientation will consist of learning all there is to know about the museum and the exhibits it houses, as well as maybe receiving training in first aid and sales.

The majority of significant museums and historical centers have well-established volunteer programs and offer training for its volunteer attendants. This is especially true of larger institutions.

Getting a Grip

You might then continue your education by enrolling in the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Museums and Galleries Practice, which is located at the SCQF Level 7 level.

After gaining sufficient experience on the job, you can be promoted to a supervisory role.

Larger museums in important cities provide greater opportunities for advertising than smaller museums.