Information Assistant

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

 

General

Job Title:                     Information Assistant

Terms:                         A fixed term six months post from 5^th April 2010 to 5^th October 2010. To be reviewed thereafter

Responsible To:           Information Officer, Information Department

Supervison of :            Occasional supervision of volunteer (six-month placement) and any other contracted staff or work placements.

Days Worked:              32 hours (4 days) per week. On rota for weekend work (usually one in four) to cover information desk

Rate of pay:                 £13,900 per annum, pro rata

Job Summary:

            To work as part of the information team providing environmental information and advice to enquirers by phone, email and in person. The enquiry service contributes to the main aims of the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) - to “Inspire, Inform and Enable”. Full training and support will be provided, although the post holder will also be expected to take responsibility for following the agreed workplan, managing own workload, prioritising, and ensuring deadlines are met.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Information – general:

 

·         Promoting CAT ideas, services and mission statement and acting as a spokesperson on behalf of CAT. Ensuring that CAT is represented appropriately both in written and verbal communications.

·         Helping to ensure that a high standard of service is maintained

·         Maintaining and improving own knowledge of environmental issues - keeping up-to-date with developments in the environmental field, new technologies and the work of CAT, in order to disseminate information to information enquirers in the most efficient and appropriate manner.

·         Assisting the media department (or other departments if required) with technical input.

·         Some supervision of LTV and casual staff (in conjunction with own supervisor)

·         Managing the maintenance of leaflet stocks.

·         Maintaining the small staff library, including cataloguing and borrowing systems.

·         Answering telephone, letter, fax and email enquiries – and ensuring they are answered to a high standard.

·         Researching, collecting and processing information on companies, organisations, technologies and policies

·         Maintenance and expansion of the information databases.

·         Creating and reviewing content for the Information Service web page.

·         Helping to produce multimedia information content, such as short video clips of case studies or animations illustrating technical information.

·         General office administration to manage the data held, both in paper and computer form

·         Gathering potential materials for our quarterly in-house membership magazine Clean Slate, and for the information files

·         Networking with other organisations to promote CAT’s work, gather information, and improve the service.

·         Representing the information service at outside events if required.

·         Managing the lost property system.

 

 

Information - day visitors:

 

·         Responding to enquiries by visitors at the information desk as part of the rota (including weekends – usually one in four).

·         Giving out Audio Tour handsets, and advising visitors on their use.

·         Assisting visitors with use of the public access computer system.

·         Helping ensure day visitors are well informed about the technologies we promote.

 

Publications:

 

·         Helping with updates of CAT publications, including tip-sheets and books.

·         Preparing information for new CAT publications and for our quarterly membership magazine Clean Slate as required, including writing occasional articles.

 

Other:

 

·         To undertake other duties as required by the organisation e.g. rotas and guided tours.

·         Taking responsibility for own health and safety and following all H&S procedures in place.

 

 

Person Specification:

 

Essential skills

 

·         Excellent communication skills – written, in person and on the telephone.

·         A positive and enthusiastic disposition.

·         A professional and friendly manner.

·         Research and writing experience.

·         Ability to understand, apply and communicate basic maths and natural science.

·         Knowledge of and interest in environmental issues.

·         An ability to learn on the job.

·         A methodical and thorough approach.

·         Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines.

·         Experience of supporting or supervising other staff.

·         General computer literacy - and specifically database experience.

·         A commitment to CAT’s aims and objectives.

·         An effective team member.

·         Ability to work weekends.

·         To available to start 5^th April 2010.

 

Desirable

 

·         Experience in giving advice to the public by phone and in person.

·         Experience working in an office environment.

·         A knowledge of CAT’s areas of expertise would be an advantage, although full training and support will be given.

·         Ability to speak Welsh, or willingness to learn.

·         Experience designing multimedia content such as graphics, animations and video.

·         Experience of public speaking.

 

Interviews will be held the week commencing 15^th March 2010