Job Description

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is Edinburgh's oldest purpose-built visitor attraction, situated at the top of the Royal Mile. The attraction is a 5-star VisitScotland-rated visitor experience consisting of a historic Victorian Camera Obscura, 5 floors of interactive exhibits, rooftop terrace, reception area and Gift Shop. The attraction is a 'must-visit' for families and adults from all over the world and due to its popularity has the longest opening hours of any attraction in Edinburgh.

Camera Obscura is an award-winning attraction and has recently won the Scottish Thistle Award for Hospitality and Tourism Employer of the Year as well as the Trailblazer Award from Living Wage Scotland. The attraction holds a Gold Green Tourism Award and a regional Thistle Award for Climate Action.

Part of Visitor Centres Ltd, the company also manages Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge, Inveraray Jail and Landmark Press.

You can find out more about us at www.camera-obscura.co.uk

Benefits

Pension: 2% contribution for first 6 months of employment, rising to 10% thereafter

Holidays: 29 days annual holiday pro rata

Discretionary annual company bonus

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a Living Wage employer and offers all staff contribution towards uniform, breakfast while on shift, refreshments throughout the day and seasonal team meals. Staff get a generous discount in the Gift Shop and free entry for friends and family to visit the attraction, as well as free entry to sister attractions Landmark Forest Adventure Park and Inveraray Jail. Access to ASVA passes for discounted entry to Scotland's other top attractions.

Flexible working options and a variety of shift patterns are available.

Staff are given full training and offered personal development and training opportunities. Staff are also offered access to our employee assistance programme, providing access to information, advice, and answers to a range of workplace and personal issues as well as access to 'My Staff Shop' online discount platform.

What we are looking for in our staff:

- A friendly and helpful personality, with the ability to provide exceptional customer care.

- Someone who can pick up new skills quickly and is not afraid to try new things.

- Someone who can be relied on to work independently and will support other members of the team.

- Excellent communication skills including clarity of spoken English.

- Experience in a tourism or customer service environment.

- Knowledge of Edinburgh and general Scottish history.

- Availability to work late hours, at weekends and over public holidays.

TITLE:

Guide / Evening Supervisor (ES)

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Assistant Manager (AM)

Trial Period:

as agreed, between 3 - 6 months

Rate of pay

: Guide - 13 p/h, Evening Supervisor - 15.70 p/h

Duties-overview

The job of a Guide / Evening Supervisor (ES) is a split role that involves both working as a guide as well as stepping up when required, being responsible for the day to day running of the building. This will include checking the exhibits, reporting issues to the Maintenance department as they arise, carrying out the Morning Tour to check exhibits are working, ensuring a 5service for our visitors, assisting as necessary to keep these areas clean and tidy, overseeing the preparations pre-opening and check the building is safe and secure before closing at the end of the day, checking that all closing-up protocols are followed.
The role will also involve staff supervision, involving monitoring all aspects of the Guiding role. This will be to ensure all staff are delivering a consistently brilliant experience. We do this by supporting guides and retail staff to provide the best possible service by being available at all times. The ES should also have a mind to the business needs of Camera Obscura, ensuring that resources are used appropriately.

The job of Guide at the Camera Obscura is an interesting and varied one. You will be required to give presentations in the Camera to groups of up to thirty-five people, as well as working in the exhibition spaces to ensure our visitors are getting the most out of their visit. In addition to selling tickets to the public on reception you will be required to welcome visitors as they arrive, organising and taking care of visitors as they queue to come in. You will need a sound knowledge of the local area, to answer queries from visitors. In all aspects of the job we expect that you will provide exceptional customer service for our visitors.

MAIN DUTIES:

The building/exhibition -

Ensure everything is safe, in working order, clean and ready for visitor use. Liaise with janitorial and maintenance teams to achieve this. Conduct regular tours of the building. Be a key-holder with the ability to open the building before hours or close it securely at the end of the day.

Performance Management -

Monitor all aspects of the Guiding role, ensuring that all staff are delivering a consistently brilliant experience. If required, develop training programs to improve skills and knowledge. Deal with inconsistencies in liaison with AM.

Guiding -

Be the best example of a guide, knowing all of the roles well and have the ability to step in at a moment's notice should it be required.

Customer Service Recovery -

Be the point of contact for complaints or issues with customers. Resolve issues immediately and to the satisfaction of the customer, and support other staff who may have been affected by the issue.

Emergencies/Security -

Be very familiar with fire procedures, power failure procedures, bomb scare procedures and be able to direct others. Ensure appropriate and prompt action is taken concerning suspicious people in the building. Be the first point of contact for any emergency both internally and externally.

Operations -

Prepare the daily rota and diary for each day in advance. If required, assist with the planning of the daily rota templates.

Cash Handling -

Ensure all staff are following cash handling procedures. Cash up as required, and bank takings after successful trial period.

Development -

Be aware of your professional development, asking for assistance where necessary. Assist management in the development of the attraction by observing visitors and sharing ideas. Propose projects to supervise that will improve the visitor experience.

If successful, you will receive an application form and a link to an online evaluation tool.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 13.00-15.70 per hour

Expected hours: 35 - 40 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Sick pay
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/08/2025