About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a Senior Waiting Staff to join our Catering & Retail Services Office at House of Lords.

This is an exciting opportunity to work onsite at Parliament, where you will work in the famous Peers Dining Room as part of a team to ensure that the highest standards of service and presentation is always offered to Peers, Guests and Staff of the House.

Job description

You’ll be accountable for:

• Greeting and receiving Members and guests in your allocated area, demonstrating high levels of customer service skills.
• Achieving familiarity with items printed on the menu and the way they are cooked and served, along with a working knowledge of the wine list to recommend choices to customers.
• Taking food and beverage orders, along with a prompt and accurate service to guests, in line with the standards set by the Line Manager.
• Being responsible for presenting, collecting bills and ensuring that payments are charged correctly.
• The ability to use and manage the EPOS system and in the absence of a manager, managing enquiries and bookings through the restaurant diary system.

In addition, other duties would include:

• To assist with other service areas of Catering and Retail Services when the needs of the House demand as directed and a short notice.
• To be available to work flexibly on a shift basis, including evenings as required.
• Undertake other reasonable job-related tasks as directed by a manager when required. This may include substitution for other posts both at equal or subordinate grades within the Department to cover, for example, sick absence or increased demand for service.

Person specification

What we’re looking for:

• High knowledge of 4/5 star experience in fine dining.
• Flexibility and a willingness to learn and adapt to the way we work.
• Excellent customer care skills.
• The ability to work well as part of a team in a busy environment.

It would be even better if you had or if you’re willing to learn…

• Knowledge of food allergies.
• Knowledge of Silver Service dining.
• Technical qualifications, vocational qualifications such as NVQ level 2 Food and beverage service or equivalent would be an advantage.
• Possess a current food hygiene certificate or be able to demonstrate knowledge and be willing to train.
• Possess a basic health and safety certificate or be able to demonstrate knowledge and be willing to train.

Benefits

Details of our employee benefits can be found at https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/lords/lordshro/employee-benefits/

What you’ll get in return:

• 30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 after one years’ service).
• Generous pension scheme.
• Discounts from well-known brands and retailers.
• Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.
• The opportunity to witness history in the making!

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact HLRecruitment@parliament.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.