Background Information to the Post of Virger

Background Information to the Post of Virger Wells Situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills in the County of Somerset, Wells is one of England s most beautiful and compact cities, built around the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Its picturesque surroundings include a quaint market square and high street, the Bishop s Palace and the magnificent Vicars Close, Europe s oldest continuously inhabited street. The Cathedral Wells Cathedral deservedly has gained an enviable reputation for its lovingly maintained Gothic architecture, its world class music, and its Ministry of Welcome to some 270,000 visitors each year as well as around 150,000 people who come to the Cathedral for services, concerts, lectures etc. Underpinning the life and worship of the Cathedral is a diverse organisation whose responsibilities cover an internationally recognised choir, works, virgers, library, archive, education, outreach, finance, HR, administration, volunteer management and trading companies. The Cathedral s regular income is derived from three main sources: entry donations and other voluntary income; property and investments; and its commercial activities, which currently comprise two shops and catering business. More details may be found on the Cathedral s website: http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk Department Specific Information The Virgers are an integral part of the Cathedral Ministry to worshippers, pilgrims and visitors. It is with the Virgers that many make their first contact when they arrive and from whom they gain their first impression of Wells Cathedral. Therefore virgers are key ambassadors for the Cathedral, especially in extending welcome, helpfulness, courtesy, and diplomacy interspersed with patience and kindness. A virger s life is never dull and always busy. The work is diverse and interesting and they are trusted to hold much responsibility. Virgers interact with every Cathedral department and engage daily with volunteers who support the Cathedral. The Cathedral is open every day of the year from early morning (to prepare for the first service of the day) until early evening (after the final service). Often there are evening events too which extend the opening hours. Whenever the Cathedral is open a virger is on duty and they will open and close the Cathedral buildings accordingly. A rota system is in place and the current team is 4 virgers, to become 5 with this post. The team is defined by its appreciation and acceptance of the wide-ranging and flexible nature of the work. 1

Application Process We hope you find this pack provides all the information you need in order to consider your application for this post. If, however, you have any further questions please initially contact Maria Webber (tel. 01749 685113 or email recruitment@bathwells.anglican.org) who will redirect you to the appropriate person. Applications Applications must be received by Monday 26 th March 2018. Application forms, with a covering letter no more than one side of A4 describing what attracts you to this role should be returned to Human Resources, either by post care of Diocesan Offices, the Old Deanery, Wells, Somerset BA5 2UG or by email to recruitment@bathwells.anglican.org Shortlisting Short listing will take place on 3 rd April 2018. To ensure the fairness of the selection process, shortlisting will be based upon the information which you provide in your application and assumptions will not be made about your experience or skills. We will look for demonstrable evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the person specification. Information provided on the application form will be viewed by HR, the recruiting manager and interview panel. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting process. Interview These will take place in the Cathedral Offices, Wells on Tuesday 10 th April 2018. Further details regarding the selection process will be communicated at the time applicants are invited for interview. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references. Should you decide to apply for this post we look forward to receiving your application. Safeguarding We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults, and the care and nurture of children within our church communities. We will carefully select, train and support all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles. This means that we will: Ensure that our recruitment and selection processes are inclusive, fair, consistent and transparent. Take all reasonable steps to prevent those who might harm children or adults from taking up, in our Churches, positions of respect, responsibility or authority where they are trusted by others. Adhere to safer recruitment legislation, guidance and standards. Further information can be found in our Safeguarding Policy available on the diocesan website. All applicants are required to complete a Confidential Declaration Form as part of our recruitment process when an offer of employment is made. This form is strictly confidential and, except under compulsion of law, will be seen only by those involved in the recruitment/appointment process and, when appropriate, the nominated safeguarding lead or someone acting in a similar role/position. All forms will be kept securely in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Page 2 of 6

JOB DESCRIPTION POST: Virger KEY PURPOSE OF POST: Virging is an important part of the Cathedral s mission. The role of a virger is to be the face of the Cathedral to visitors and worshippers on a daily basis, to offer a warm welcome to all who come to the Cathedral, to prepare for services, to lead processions, to prepare staging and rooms for events, to carry out cleaning and some light maintenance, and often, to manage the first response in a crisis. The Cathedral is open seven days a week and has a very busy programme of worship, events, tours and exhibitions with over 270,000 visitors each year. The Cathedral is looking for a hard-working, flexible individual to be part of a small and friendly team. LOCATION: Wells Cathedral, Wells, BA5 2PA REPORTING TO: Head Virger HOURS OF WORK: Full time, 40 hours a week MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: a) Duty Rota: To support the duty rota as directed by the Head Virger b) Opening and Closing Routine: To open the Cathedral on days of early morning duty, and to prepare for Matins and Holy Communion. To clear, secure and lock up the Cathedral buildings in the evening. c) Cathedral Services: To prepare for services by ensuring all books, vessels and vestments are set out as required. To clear, clean and re-instate all elements after the services. To ring the service bells, ringing them on time and for the correct duration. To assist with the keeping of registers and accurate statistics on attendance at services and takers of communion. d) Ceremonial: To assist in marshalling and leading processions and attend upon the needs of members of Chapter and others, as necessary, during services when a Virger should be present throughout. Operate the sound system as required. e) Concerts, Special Events/Activities. To prepare the Cathedral and/or its precincts as necessary for concerts and any other events or activities as directed, paying particular attention to the setting-up instructions as detailed on the Planning Instructions agreed beforehand. This is likely to involve movement and lifting/handling of heavy items of furniture and staging in accordance with Health and Safety guidelines. f) First Aid. All virgers are trained in First Aid and will be the duty first aider in services and events. g) Cleaning. Routine cleaning and light maintenance of the Cathedral and its associated buildings in accordance with the cleaning and light maintenance plan formulated by the Head Virger. These duties will include but will not be limited to cleaning floors and toilets; some work at high levels from time to time and assisting in moving furniture. h) Visitors. To direct and care for visitors to the Cathedral whilst they are in the building or its precincts, in conjunction with the Cathedral s Ministry of Welcome. i) Security. Responsible for the total security of the Cathedral and its contents whenever on duty. To organise duty breaks so that there remains a Virger within the body of the Cathedral at all times. To remain vigilant whilst discreet to all visitor activity at all times. To immediately report suspicious activity to the Head Virger. Page 3 of 6

j) Incidents. Virgers are to maintain a detailed Record of Incidents and Occurrences in the Incident book to provide continuity for whoever is on duty. k) Money. Virgers are responsible for opening the outer door of the donation boxes but not for emptying the boxes. Collections are to be placed in the self-seal bags and a Virger will lock the sealed bags in the safe. The handling of all money requires a second person to witness the procedure. l) Staff and Planning Meetings. One of the Virgers to be present at the weekly staff meeting and all Planning meetings as they occur and will advise and record items discussed and agreed accordingly. m) General. To undertake such other duties as the Head Virger may reasonably require. n) Dress Code/Uniform. Virgers are required to wear shirt/blouse, tie, dark trousers and black shoes and are to present themselves for duty clean and smart. Virgers will be provided with: i. Industrial quality safety shoes ii. Hard hat iii. Cassock iv. Virgers Gown v. Virgers Cloak vi. Virgers Whites Page 4 of 6

PERSON SPECIFICATION Key Criteria Essential Desirable Qualifications and Experience Basic education level to GCSE or equivalent Appreciation of Cathedral or parish worship Experience of undertaking a variety of cleaning duties Skills and Abilities Good communication skills Visitor facing skills Able to work as part of a team as well as on individually and to use own initiative Ability to multi-task Able to work in an organised manner Able to undertake physical work (moving furniture; moving pianos; pushing trollies and cleaning). Able to work at height and in confined spaces. NB: Appropriate training will be provided for working at height. Work-related Personal Committed Christian in Qualities sympathy with the aims and objectives of the Church of England Ability to work as part of a rota and outside of normal working hours with flexible hours. To be confident and carry themselves well as part of their ceremonial duties To be discreet, on-side and to maintain confidentiality Experience of dealing with complaints Experience in a comparable role Knowledge of health and safety issues This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a committed Christian. An enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check will be required and the post will be subject to this clearance. All appointments are subject to references, a medical declaration and six months probationary period. Page 5 of 6

Main Terms and Conditions Hours of Work Full Time, not less than 40 hours each week. Days of the week and precise hours within each day to be agreed. The normal working hours are between 06.45 and 18.15 from October to March and 06.45 and 19.15 from April to September. Salary Salary of 16,710 per annum The Virger shall be entitled to overtime rates to all hours worked in excess of agreed hours in any one day. In addition the Virger shall be entitled to be paid fees for Weddings and Funerals at the rate from time to time determined by the employer. Accommodation The Virger will be provided with a 2 bedroomed (1 double and 1 box room) house in Vicars Close, Wells rent-free and is required to reside there in order to properly perform his/her duties. He /She will be required to maintain the property, including the gardens, in good order. Pension Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary: Age Employee Employer <50 2.5%( *) 5% 50-55 4% 8% >55 5% 10% (*) Increasing to 3% with effect from 1/04/2019 Holiday Five working weeks per calendar year plus bank holidays. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Location The Cathedral, Wells Expenses All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with Cathedral policy Probation This post will be subject to a probationary period of six months Parking Free parking is provided for one car, subject to availability Discounts A discount of 10% is available in the Cathedral shops and café Page 6 of 6