The Verger team plays a critical role, ensuring smooth running of the worshipping life of the Minster.

Deputising for the Head Verger, the Deputy Head Verger’s role is a supervisory role with responsibility for ensuring the good order of the Minster as a place of worship in conjunction with other departments.

The role is responsible for working with and overseeing the Verger team, maintaining high standards of general housekeeping, ensuring the Minster is always presented in the best possible way for worshippers and visitors.

The role also ensures that the dignity of York Minster is upheld for the Clergy, staff, volunteers and visitors and that all services held in the Minster are set up as required by Dean and Chapter, assisting clergy in the delivery of said services as appropriate. In addition, the Deputy Head Verger ensures that all administrative and clerical tasks are completed and kept up to date.

Please note this role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at enhanced level.

Key Liturgical Duties

• Supervise and organise the Verger team in their Liturgical duties for all services as required.
• Deputise in the Head Verger’s absence.
• Perform all ceremonial and verging duties within services as required.
• Update all Service Registers and ensure the completion of any forms and documentation, which may be required.
• Assist the Head Verger in the operational planning and delivery of acts of worship.
• Upkeep and cleaning of all liturgical items and silverware within the Minster.
• Ensure all candle stands are kept fully stocked and stock keeping records are updated.

Leadership and Supervisory Duties

• Support and assist the Head Verger as required and, in their absence, be responsible for the effective supervision of the Vergers.
• Support the Head Verger to devise departmental metrics and manage performance of the vergers, recognising excellence and tackling poor performance.
• Liaise with the Canon Precentor and the Events Coordinator to ensure the continued smooth running of the department in the delivery of all services, events and other activities.
• Provide effective supervision of staff to ensure that the logistics of an event or other activity are fully met according to the deadlines set.
• Organisation of staff rota to ensure correct staffing levels are maintained seven days a week to cover all services.
• Take an active part in the Operational Development and Operational Planning meetings.
• Organise the daily tasking of vergers
• Prepare and operate equipment for the live-streaming or recording of services.

Other Duties

• Ensure that all administrative and clerical tasks are completed and kept up to date.
• Liaise with internal departments and external organisations as required.  Assist in the recruitment of an appropriate bank of relief staff as required by the needs of the business.
• Stand in for the Head Verger, as required, in planning, diary, briefing meetings and any other stakeholder meetings.
• In conjunction with the Minster Police, responsible for the safe custody of all collections at services in accordance with the cash handling procedures in place.
• Notify the Head Verger of any stock shortages.
• Liaise with the Vestment Keeper in the general care of all robes, Vestments, Altar Linens, frontals, etc., and to ensure that they are stored correctly and kept in good condition and repair.
• Organise the removal and/or re-arrangement of chairs and other moveable furnishings for services and restoration of said furniture afterwards.
• When a member of Clergy is not available, provide pastoral support to members of the public.

The successful applicant will have previous experience both leading and working as part of a team with excellent planning, organisational and communication skills, as well as a familiarity with Christian worship.

Essential qualities include:

• Respect for the Christian ethos and mission of York Minster.
• Active support for our values of Trust, Wisdom, Courage and Humility.
• Ability to both lead and to work as part of a team.
• Familiarity with Christian worship.
• Experience of supporting people in difficulty or distress.
• Computer Literate including email.
• Interest in and willingness to learn how to operate and maintain technical equipment used for amplification/live streaming/recording of services.
• Professional and accountable approach to work with a high attention to detail and a willingness to set high standards.
• Excellent organisational skills with an ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload and to meet deadlines.
• Calm, practical and flexible approach. Able to manage demands under pressure and to handle last minute changes with a calm and positive attitude.
• An effective communicator, not only with the Vergers team but also with all Departments and personnel throughout the Minster.
• A caring and compassionate approach when dealing with all visitors. Able to separate the person from the behaviour and to handle disruptive behaviour in an appropriate manner whilst always showing respect for the person.
• Respects and values diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive welcome.
• Ability to solve problems and take appropriate initiatives.
• A positive, cheerful nature with an ability to bring people together to work as a team towards a common aim.
• Should have experience of working/volunteering in a Cathedral/Church environment, or have equivalent skills that can translate to a Cathedral environment.
• Ability to access all public areas of the Minster, which will include stairwells, confined spaces, heights and places with low lighting.
• Level of fitness (subject to reasonable adjustments) to cope with the physical demands of the role including shifts, working at heights and lifting heavy objects within published health and safety guidelines on manual handling.
• Because of the nature and duties of the post, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement to be communicant members of the Church of England, or another Church in communion with it.