Head Verger [02/18] 1

HeadVerger(Full-time,continuing)

PositionDescription

St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne is the Metropolitical and Cathedral Church of the Anglican Diocese ofMelbourne, Victoria. It is the seat (cathedra) of the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, who is theMetropolitan of the Province of Victoria, and the Primate (presiding bishop) of the Anglican Church ofAustralia. The Cathedral is governed by a Chapter (Governing Body) of clergy and laypeople with theArchbishopofMelbourneasitsPresident.

TheCathedral isamajorMelbourne landmark. It isopeneverydayoftheyearforworship,fordiocesan,congregationalandcommunityactivities.TheCathedralconductsaminimumofeighteenactsofworshipaweek.Some400,000visitorseachyearcometolook,listen,andprayatStPaul’s.Visitorneedsareservedbyvolunteerguidesandchaplains,andgiftshopstaff.

The Cathedral receives no regular income from the State Government or the Anglican Diocese ofMelbourne.Itreliesonmoniesraisedfromvisitorsandthemembersofitscongregationstoensurethatthebuildingcanbeproperlymaintainedandremainopenasaplaceofworshipforall.TheCathedralcurrentlyemploysaround20staffinavarietyofrolesandissupportedbyalargenumberoftrainedvolunteers.

FurtherinformationabouttheCathedral’sministriesandworkisavailableonline,at:cathedral.org.au.Fulldetails of the Cathedral’s vision and five year program can be found online, at:cathedral.org.au/cathedral/vision.

RoleandPurpose

The Cathedral serves eighteen Sunday and weekday congregations; federal, state, civic and diocesanorganisations and individuals; local schools and colleges; arts providers; community groups andassociations;andmembersofthepublic.

Ateamofvergers(theCathedral’sceremonialandoperationalstaff)ensurethattheCathedral’sfabricandfittingsaremaintainedproperly; that theCathedral isprepared for servicesand special events; and thatworshippers,visitorsandpilgrimsareabletoenjoythepeaceofasafeandwelcomingenvironment.TheyCathedral’s vergers provide security during opening hours, and ensure the Cathedral is secured out ofopeninghours.

TheCathedralnowseekstorecruitafull-timeHeadVergertocoordinatetheworkoftheCathedral’svergerteam.Thefull-timeheadvergerwillworkwithateamofexperiencedpart-timeandcasualvergers,andwilljoinafriendly,diverseandhardworkingteamofpaidandvolunteerCathedralstaff.

KeyWorkingRelationships

• The Head Verger reports operationally to the Precentor (The Revd Canon Heather Patacca) andformallytotheAdministrator(MrTrevorWhittaker);

• TheHeadVergerliaiseswithallCathedralstaff,DeanandChapter,worshippersandvisitors.

• The Head Verger regularly liaises with members of the public, and representatives of theCathedral’s main stakeholder groups, such representatives of the Anglican diocese, its parishes,schools,collegesandotheragencies,aswellaswiththeCathedral’svolunteers.

BasisofEmployment:Fulltime,continuingSalary:$50,000-55,000perannum,dependingonpriorexperience

Head Verger [02/18] 2

Reportsto:TheCathedralAdministrator(MrTrevorWhittaker,Tel.0396534302)WorkingDays:Monday-Friday(someweekendandoutofhoursworkbynegotiation,remuneratedat

MiscellaneousWorkersAwardhourlyrates)WorkingHours:11.30AM–7.00PMUniform:Aceremonialuniform(cassockandverger’sgown)isprovided.Daydress:Blackclothingandshoes.

1.MainAreasofResponsibility

TheHeadVerger’srolecombinesceremonialfunctionswithkeyoperationalandmaintenancefunctions.

S/hewill coordinate a team of trained verger staff, rostered on a permanent part-time or casual basis,includingtheDean’sVerger,whotakesontheCathedral’svergerdutiesonMonday-Wednesdaymornings.

TheHeadVergerprovidesaMonday-Fridayoversightof theCathedral’sVergerTeam.However, the roledoesrequiresomeafter-hourswork,andsomeweekendduties.

ThesuccessfulcandidatewillreceivefulltrainingintherelevantCathedraldutiesandprotocols.

1.1.OperationalCareoftheCathedralandCathedralBuildings

• Coordinate shifts for casual vergers to ensure 365-day coverage of verger duties; liaisewith theAdministrator and Precentor in convening verger meetings to establish shift arrangements andotherduties;

• Coordinate vergers to secure the Cathedral and Cathedral buildings outside opening hours,alarmingthebuildingatnight;andtakeashareinthesedutieswhenrostered;

• Coordinate,andtakeasharein,afterhourscall-outdutiesbythevergerteam;

• Coordinatevergers toensure coverageof the routinemaintenanceand runningof theCathedralandprecincts,andtakeashareinthesedutieswhenrostered;

• InstructnewvergersintheoperationoftheCathedral’soperationalsystems,including§ theCathedral’ssoundsystemandequipment;§ theCathedral’slightingsystem;§ theCathedralheatingsystem,§ theCathedralsecurityandalarmsystems.

• ReportanydefectsormaintenanceissuestotheAdministrator.

1.2.LiturgicalCareoftheCathedralandSacristy

• Coordinatevergersandtakeashareinthecareoflinen,silver/plate,candlesandaltarfrontals;• CoordinatevergersandtakeashareinkeepingtheCathedralandSacristyneatandwell-ordered;

• Coordinate vergers and take a share in the replenishing of votive candles and maintaining thecleanlinessofvotivecandlestands;

• Supervise the Cathedral’s liturgical stock (altar breads and wine, candles, etc.) and discusspurchasingorderswiththeWardenofVergers,Dean’sVergerandAdministrator;

• Arrangeforthelaunderingofaltarlinenandliturgicalvestments.

1.3.Ceremonialandliturgicalduties

• Prepare for each Cathedral liturgy according to the requirements of the Dean and Chapter, asinstructedbythePrecentor;

Head Verger [02/18] 3

• Prepare each relevant Cathedral area for worship (provide Orders of Service for worshippers,preparealtarvessels,servicebooks,candlesandoperatethesoundsystemforworship);

• Verge (lead) the Dean in Procession at daily worship, and verge readers and dignitaries duringChoralworship;

• Takealead,asdirectedbythePrecentor,atleadingthevergerteamatspecialservicesandevents.

• IntheabsenceoftheCathedralclergyorotherministers,conductsaidEveningWorship;

1.3.EventsandotherCathedralFunctions

• Coordinate vergers and take a share in setting up chairs, staging,microphones etc. for concerts,eventsandservicesasdirectedbythePrecentor,AdministratororEventsCoordinator;

• CoordinatevergersandtakeashareinsupervisingCathedraleventsandconcerts;

• Aftereveningevents,ensurethattheCathedralissetupforthenextday’sactivities.

1.4.CathedralSecurity

• Whileonduty,takeresponsibilityformaintainingthesecurityoftheCathedral,CathedralBuildingsandprecinct,includingregularchecksonthebuildings;

• Maintain a visible presence in the Cathedral, and respond to any security concerns raised byCathedralshopstaff,volunteerguidesandchaplains;

• Escalateanyserioussafetyorsecurityconcernstotheemergencyservicesasnecessary;

• Inanemergency,applytheCathedral’semergencyproceduresandensurethesafeevacuationofthebuildings;

• Atservices,maintainthesafetyofCathedralsilver/plateandothervaluables;

• Atservices,ensurethesafestorageofcollectionmoneystogetherwiththeclergymemberor layCanononduty;

• Take a part, as directed by the Administrator, in the transfer of offerings in donation boxes tosecurestorage.

1.5.OccupationalHealthandSafety

• ActasafirstportofcallforthevergerteaminreportinganyOHSissuestotheAdministrator;• Instructmembersofthevergerteamin,andensureadherenceto,theCathedral’ssafetyprotocols

andprocedures;beawareofthe locationsofsafetypowerswitches, fire-fightingequipment,andothersafetyequipment,andoftheirappropriateuse.

2.PersonSpecification,SkillsandExperience

2.1.QualificationsandExperience

• EducatedtoVCElevelorequivalent;• ArelevantCertificateIVorequivalentqualificationdesirable;

• A team builder, able to coordinate a team of experienced colleagues of diverse ages andbackgrounds;

• Previous experience in security or buildingmaintenance, orworkwithmembers of the public inanothercustomer-centredindustry

2.2.SkillsandAttributes• UnderstandingoftheworkoftheAnglicanChurchofAustraliaandcommitmenttotheCathedral’s

valuesandethos;communicantmemberoftheAnglicanChurchorachurchincommunionwithit;• PermissiontoworkinAustralia;

Head Verger [02/18] 4

• Good communication skills, both verbally and in writing; confident in using Microsoft Office,electronicdiaryandemail;

• Self-motivated,abletoworkunsupervised,andtakeinitiativewhenrequired;

• Afriendlyandwelcomingpersonality,relatingwelltomembersofthepublic;abletoofferawarmwelcometovisitorsandworshippers–evenattheendofalongshift;

• Professional, ‘can do’ and proactive attitude with flexible approach and ability to balancecompetingandconflictingpriorities;willingtoworkovertimeandatweekendswhenrequired;

• Calmandcollected,abletoworkunderpressure;enthusiastic,energeticandpractical;• Abilitytoresolveconflictwithsuperiorsandpeersinaprofessionalandparticipativemanner;• CapacitytoenjoytherapidanddemandingpaceoflifeandworkinametropolitanCathedral.

Workingconditions

• Priortoappointment,thesuccessfulapplicantwillneedtoprovideacurrentWorkingwithChildrencheck and current Police Certificate, in preparation for clearance to Diocesan ProfessionalStandardsProtocol;

• Following the successful completionofa six-monthprobationaryperiod, theHeadVergerwillbeofferedathree-yearrenewablecontractbytheCathedralChapter.

• TheHeadVergerworks fromtheStPaul’sBuildingsadjacent toStPaul’sCathedral,209Flinders’Lane,Melbourne,Victoria,3000.

• Dailyworkingroutinesmayincludethefollowingconditions:

o Lightworkliftingupto20kgonaninfrequentbasisand/orcarryingupto5kg;o Walkingandstandingtoasignificantdegree;o Occasionallyrequiredtoclimbladders,stoop,ornavigateconfinedspaces;o Occasionalextendedhours,needtobe‘oncall’,andabilitytorespondpromptlyinthe

eventofafter-hoursemergencies.

ApplicationProcessStPaul’sCathedralMelbourneseeksexpressionsofinterestfromthosewhowillcontributetoanatmosphereinwhich diversity is valued and supported. Applications should be directed to the Cathedral Secretary,MsHannah Hornsby, by email (hhornsby@cathedral.org.au) or post at St Paul’s Cathedral, 209 Flinders Lane,Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia. Applications need to be received by 5pm Australian Eastern StandardTimeonFriday,9March2018,inordertobeconsidered.Applicantsshouldinclude:

• AfullCurriculumVitae;• Thenamesofthreereferees,indicatingonereferenceontheapplicant’sskillsandachievements,one

reference by a colleague or teammember, and one personal reference. At least one of the threereferencesshouldbefromtheapplicant’scurrentemployer.

• AcoveringletterrespondingtothisProfileandPositionDescription.• An indication of when they would be able to commence work at St Paul’s Cathedral, should their

applicationbesuccessful.Forfurtherdetailsregardingthepostortheapplicationprocess,pleasecontacttheCathedralSecretary.