Do you want to join a committed and supporting team in raising awareness and changing things for the better for everyone with Down’s syndrome right across Scotland?

We are looking for an individual to run FriendZ Space, our popular, online programme for adults with Down’s syndrome, The ideal candidate would have experience in planning sessions, facilitating groups (in person and online) for young people and adults with learning disabilities.

An exciting opportunity in a creative environment at Mayfield House, Dalkeith. We are looking for an experienced individual to provide administrative and secretarial support to the Day Service Managers and Workshop staff and assist with general organisational activities, as well as supporting members within the building or workshops on occasions.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Receptionist with a passion for diversity and inclusion to join our team. Could that be you?

Who are we?

Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity, supporting and celebrating deaf people. We were established in 1835 and work with deaf people across Scotland and the South of England. Our work is geared towards empowering all deaf people to achieve their potential and fully participate in society, with equality of rights, access and opportunity.

You can find out more about us at deafaction.org.

About you

You will be customer-focussed, with excellent IT and organisational skills, and strong attention to detail. You will be confident and knowledgeable in office systems and processes, including health and safety. You will often be the first point of contact at Deaf Action’s Head Office and will work across several teams and services, also providing support to our other locations where required. You will be an integral part of ensuring that Deaf Action deliver quality services to all of our clients, guests, and staff and that everyone who visits us has a positive experience. Strong customer service skills are essential.

You will be someone who takes pride in maintaining high standards, with the ability to:

• provide an efficient and customer-focused reception service, creating a welcoming environment for clients, visitors, and colleagues
• maintain efficient day-to-day routines as well as responding to the unexpected
• triage and record any incoming enquiries and direct these to the most suitable service
• observe strict confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information

Excellent communication skills and proficiency in BSL are essential (minimum level 3).

The ideal candidate will be fully committed to our values, which can be found on our website.

The role

Our headquarters are both a place of work and an important community hub. Maintaining a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment are critical to our success. The Receptionist role is integral to achieving these objectives. We are looking for someone to provide a high level of front-line support to enable our staff to deliver great work. This role reports to the Office Manager.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

Customer Service

• welcome visitors and determine the nature and purpose of visit and direct them accordingly
• deal with daily inbound enquiries via post, phone and email and transfer these to the most appropriate member of staff or department
• ensure all contacts and enquiries are recorded on our database
• ensure all visitors have a positive experience and are supported with the right service at the right time
• manage meeting room availability and set up for internal and external clients

General Office

• monitor office supplies and order and distribute new supplies as needed
• support mail room function to ensure incoming and outgoing mail and parcels are managed effectively
• provide general administrative support, such as scanning, photocopying, printing, and management of confidential waste
• support colleagues to prepare for events, including IT set-up and refreshments
• undertake such other duties as required from time to time by the Office Manager

Health & Safety

• support the Office Manager with health and safety checks, including maintenance of the accident log, first aid supplies etc
• carry out spot-checks and audits to comply with insurance requirements
• maintain security and support out of hours office access arrangements for all user groups
• help ensure Albany Street is clean and tidy, with responsibility for public spaces, kitchen areas and recycling collections
• record any reports of health and safety concerns and ensure these are acted upon

What’s on offer?

• Occupational pension scheme with employer contributions of 6%

• 32 days leave pro rata (inc bank holidays)

• Day off for your birthday

• 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured

• In-house Mental Health First Aiders

• Death in Service benefit

• Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and IT Voucher Scheme

• Ongoing support for learning and development through our PDR process

You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of our joint Head Office and Scottish Braille Press reception at Robertson Avenue and providing an excellent level of customer service to colleagues, visitors and external contractors who visit or work within the building as well as those contacting Sight Scotland by post, email, or telephone. As well as coordinating front desk activities you will also be responsible for general office administration and facilities management tasks. You will also act as lead Fire Marshall and a nominated First Aider for the building.