This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Civil Partnership and Naming Ceremonies Fees, Profit and Staff Pay'.


 
Job Specification 
 
Job Title: Ceremonies Host  
 
 
 
Grade: 3 
Job Evaluation Code:    
 

 
 
Reporting to: 
Manager’s Grade: G9 
 
 
Ceremonies Manager 
 
 
Location:  Wakefield Town Hall & Pontefract Town Hall 
 
 
 
 
Service Area:  
Service Directorate:  
 
 
Registration & Celebratory Services 
Legal & Governance, Corporate Services 
 
 
 
Workstyle:
  
 
Workplace based 
 
 
 
Overall Purpose of the Post:  
 
The Ceremonies Host will act as an ambassador for Wakefield Registration & Celebratory 
Services for ceremonies held for the service in Wakefield Town Hall and Pontefract Town Hall, 
providing high levels of customer service to all. The main priority of the role is to co-ordinate the 
arrival and departure of customers and their guests, ensuring the smooth flow of ceremonies 
within the suite of Ceremony rooms and waiting areas, to ensure the best possible customer 
experience. Responsibility for Health & Safety including first aid, emergency evacuation 
procedures and operation of the Evac Chair should it be required. 
 
 
 

 
Essential 
Desirable 
Qualifications / 
Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy or 
Customer service 
Training 
equivalent  
qualification 
 
 
 
 
First Aid certificate ( 3 day course) or  
 
willingness to undertake training for 
First Aid Certificate 
 
Evac Chair certificate or willingness to 
undertake Evac chair training  
 
Knowledge 
Sound understanding of good 
Some knowledge of 
customer service practices 
customer facing provisions 
 
within the Council 
Knowledge of legislation including 
 
Equality and Diversity, Data 
Knowledge of Wakefield 
Protection, Freedom of Information 
Registration & Celebratory 
and working in a confidential 
Service 
environment 
 
 
Knowledge of the Councils Customer 
Charter 
Experience 
Experience in a customer facing role 
Experience in a 
 
Registration & Celebratory 
Dealing with the general public  
Services customer facing 
 
role 
Experience of working under pressure 
 
and to strict deadlines 
Skills 
Self-motivated and able to use own 
 
 
initiative 
 
 
 
Efficient and well organised 
 
 
Ability to work as part of a team 
 
Effective verbal and listening 
communication skills 
 
Confidence and ability to establish a 
report with customer 
 
Ability to demonstrate discretion and 
tact 
The ability to stay calm under pressure  
Be courteous but firm when dealing 
with difficult customers  
Physical Skills 
Be physically able to manoeuvre an 
 
Evac chair if and when required.   
Competencies and 
Positive attitude towards change 
 
other skills required 
 
 
An enthusiastic approach to personal 
 
development 
 
 
Exercise good judgement in making 
appropriate decisions based on 
information presented from a variety of 
sources. 
 

Physically able to operate an Evac 
chair (training provided) 
Personal Attributes  
Honest and trustworthy 
 
  
 
Key Outcomes / Activities 
 
MAIN TASKS 
 
•  Deliver and maintain a welcoming and efficient customer service environment 
by responding to customer and visitor needs. 
 
•  Recognise the role as acting as ‘ambassador’ for the Registration Service and 
the Council; the role should always be carried out professionally to enhance the 
reputation of the Council and the Registration Service when dealing with internal 
and external customers. 
 
•  Take personal responsibility for individual performance. 
 
•  Contribute enthusiastically to the overall effectiveness of the Council and 
Wakefield Registration & Celebratory Service. 
 
•  Ensure compliance with Health and Safety policy. 
 
•  Maintain a safe and secure working environment. 
 
•  Undertake support duties on specific aspects of the work of Wakefield 
Registration & Celebratory Service under the direction of management, within 
competence and experience. 
 
•  Develop effective working relationships with officers of other Services and 
Departments within Council 
 
•  Ensure that services are provided to the highest quality/standard with due 
recognition of client and customer requirements, in accordance with the 
Council’s Customer Care and Equal Opportunities policies.  
 
•  Undertake any training necessary for the role. 
 
SPECIFIC TASKS 
 
•  Provide excellent customer service to customers, colleagues (internal and 
external to the Council) and members of the public, ensuring all visitors to 
Wakefield Registration & Celebratory Service’s Ceremony Rooms are greeted 
courteously and professionally at all times. 
 
•  Answer any relevant customer inquiries.  Re-direct these enquiries as 
appropriate and take adequate messages when required. 
 
•  Responsible for effectively responding to requests from customers, members, 
staff and other visitors in the face to face environment or over the telephone. 
 
•  Contribute to the resolution of customer issues in line with agreed procedures. 
 

•  Ensure the progression and completion of customer, visitor or other enquiries in 
cases where they cannot be resolved in the first instance and to promote the 
effective liaison with other departments within the Council where necessary. 
 
 
•  Ensure effective delivery of service in line with Corporate Service Standards 
using appropriate systems. 
 
•  Provide support to the Ceremonies team as required. 
 
•  During work time, take responsibility for the Ceremony and waiting areas with 
regard to ensuring cleanliness, tidiness and Health & Safety including 
emergency evacuation procedures and operation of the Evac Chair should it be 
required. 
 
•  Make positive contributions to all Team Meetings and Training Sessions. 
 
•  Carry out all tasks displaying positive behaviours at the appropriate level in line 
the Councils Competency Framework 
 
•  Additional projects and duties as directed by Wakefield Registration & 
Celebratory Service Management (within competence and experience)  
 
The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this Job Specification are indicative 
and may vary over time.  Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and 
responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and scope of the post and the grade has 
been established on this basis.
 
 

 
Responsibility for Resources 
 
Employees (Supervision): None 
 
 
Financial: None 
 
Physical Resources: None 
 
 
Customers and Clients: 
 
Members of the Public 
Internal Wakefield Council Staff 
External customers and partners of the council   
Wakefield Council Head quarters  
 
 
Working Conditions:   
 
To work flexibly to meet the needs of the service (see addendum to contract) 
 
To comply with the services dress code for this role; 
 
Colour: 
Medium Grey 
Wear:  
Dress 
 
 
 
Tailored trousers with white blouse/shirt 
 
 
 
Tailored Skirt with white blouse/shirt 
 
 
All above to be worn with purple scarf or tie provided by Registration & Celebratory 
Services 
 
The Council operates a controlled no smoking policy and work places have been 
designated as non-smoking.  
 
Characteristics of the Post 
 
Ability to operate an Evac Chair in the event of an emergency   
 
Employees are encouraged to participate in training activities in order to enhance their own 
personal development. 
 
The employment checks are required: 
• 
Evidence of entitlement to work in the U.K. 
• 
Evidence of essential qualifications – see page 1 of this job specification 
• 
Two satisfactory references 
• 
Confirmation of medical fitness for employment 
• 
Registration with appropriate bodies (where applicable) 
 
 
Date Completed 
August 2015 (revised October 2018) 
 

Document Outline