Birmingham Cathedral are seeking a verger. The Verging team is crucial to the smooth running of the Cathedral. The vergers play an invaluable role in their support of the services, maintaining the security, cleanliness and upkeep of the building, and in the welcoming of visitors.

This is an exciting role combining both aspects of a Verger, the liturgical and supporting the day-to-day operation of the cathedral.

This role is to assist the Head of Facilities and the Clergy team in delivering an excellent standard of liturgy, welcome and visitor experience.

Vergers work as part of a wider team to help deliver a warm and welcoming greeting to all who visit the cathedral and those engaging in our programme of services and events.

In addition to supporting the clergy in delivering liturgical excellence, vergers are responsible for the care and maintenance of the building. The work includes cleaning, reporting maintenance requirements, opening, and closing the building securely, setting and resetting the cathedral for services and events and understanding the Health and Safety requirements including emergency evacuation. The Verger role includes some lone working.

Principal Areas of Accountability:

• To assist in the delivery of the cathedral’s worship.
• Present and maintain the cathedral to the highest standard.
• To be responsible in the case of an emergency.
• To engage with cathedral users (congregation, musicians, visitors, event organisers, etc)

A verger will have a wide range of duties. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

General:

• As Vergers represent the cathedral at all times suitable attire should be worn, alongside a name badge.
• To work within the team of Vergers on a rota basis, under the direction of the Head of Facilities. This includes covering weekends, Bank Holidays, Feast Days (including Christmas and Easter) and other important occasions, as required. Evening work is regularly included on the rota.
• To communicate all messages and report all defects to the Head of Facilities, so that the appropriate advice or action can be taken, and good lines of communication are maintained.

Liturgical duties:

• To undertake liturgical and sacristy duties. This includes facilitating the smooth running of services and verging as required. To be dressed in cassock and verger robes as appropriate.
• To prepare the cathedral for worship, daily activity and events and return to good order afterwards.
• Duties will include:
  • Preparing the vessels for Holy Communion and setting up for services
  • Assist clergy in the leading of worship, reading lessons, serve and help administer Holy Communion.
  • Frequently lead Evening Prayer.
  • Caring for the altars, altar linen and sanctuary areas
  • Changing altar frontal according to season or festival
  • Live Streaming of agreed services daily
  • To care for votive candle stands, orders of service and Gift Aid envelopes
  • To carry out specialist duties, including the operation of the sound, streaming and lighting systems
  • To complete service records and registers when the verger on duty

Hospitality and Welcome:

• To be mindful at all times of promoting and living out the cathedral’s values and to treat all those coming into the cathedral as welcome visitors.
• To treat visitors and volunteers in a friendly, tactful and helpful manner. When it is necessary to be firm, it should be handled with sensitivity.
• To be always an excellent ambassador for the cathedral.

Logistics for Events and Services:

• To undertake security duties within the cathedral and cathedral square.
• To work with the team to ensure that set up for services, concerts and events is completed in a timely manner. This includes the setup of audio-visual equipment, seating and staging and ensuring any health and safety issues are addressed.
• To attend planning meetings if required

Health and Safety:

• To comply with and enforce all Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• To know the positions and operation of all firefighting apparatus and what to do in an emergency.
• To be familiar with, and when necessary, lead the evacuation procedures laid down by the Chapter.
• To provide First Aid support for people on the cathedral’s premises where appropriate. First aid and other training will be provided.
• To be the designated first aider for choir rehearsals.
• Prepare appropriate risk assessments for the Cathedral Ensure that the building is safe for visitors, staff and contractors including testing alarm systems.
• Take responsibility for contractors on site.

Security:

• To act as a key-holder.
• Under the direction of the Head of Facilities, working to a rota system, to be responsible for the opening and closing of the cathedral each day. Opening and closing may include early mornings and late evenings.
• To understand and operate the security and alarm systems.
• To empty the collection boxes in accordance with the cathedral’s cash handling procedures.

Maintenance and Cleaning:

• To undertake cleaning and maintenance duties within the cathedral ensuring the cathedral is always secure, clean and in good order, this will include carrying out periodic inspections, as agreed.
• To promote the highest standards of care of the vestries, plate, ornaments, vestments and chairs.
• To ensure the good care and operation of cleaning equipment.

Safeguarding:

• Safeguarding is the Cathedral Chapter’s highest priority.
• To support Chapter on the delivery of the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and the relevant policies regarding photography and filming, etc.
• To be proactive in promoting the cathedral’s responsibility for the safeguarding of all, especially towards children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• To offer informal and appropriate Pastoral Care to visitors when clergy/chaplains are not available.
• The cathedral has an active Safeguarding Policy. A verger will hold a position of trust within the cathedral and his/her duties will include that of being a ‘Pastoral Assistant’. The successful candidate will be required to complete a declaration form regarding convictions in accordance with the Disclosure and Barring Service Rules in relations to filtering (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-filtering-guidance) and agree to an Enhanced Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service. This information will be dealt with in strict confidence, and not used to discriminate against applicants unfairly. All forms will be kept securely in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation within the Data Protection Act 2018.

Other:

• To undertake any other reasonable tasks as requested.
• To undergo any training deemed necessary to fulfil the role of verger.

Essential

• There is a genuine occupational requirement that the postholder be a Christian as this role involves the administration of Communion, leading Evening Prayer etc.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work to weekly deadlines and plan work accordingly.
• Ability to engage with the public in a positive manner.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
• Evidence of ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Ability to work unsociable hours, including weekends and evenings.
• Well presented, polite and friendly

Desirable

• A practical knowledge of the practice of liturgy and the Church’s year.

Deadline for Applications: Thursday 15 March 2023

Interviews will be held at the Cathedral on Friday 23 March 2023