Summary
We protect everything from bats to buildings to beaches – and we want to share them with everyone too. But how do we care for our special places, while helping everyone to enjoy them and their fascinating stories? It's no small task. In fact, it's a big team effort and it's why our Collections Assistants are so important.
This is a fixed term role in order to cover the current role holders secondment, which is expected to last for approximately 10 months. This position comes with staff accommodation, you will be provided with a flat in the mansion to enable you to carry out the responsibility of out of hours security and maintenance duties. The key representative rota is split with 2 other staff members.
Accommodation is provided to the postholder for the proper or better performance of his or her duties in accordance with Trust criteria and HMRC rules.
This role has set working days, working a minimum of 2 weekends a month, bank holidays and school holidays.
Please note that the provisional interview date for this role is the 6th August 2024.
What it's like to work here
We're a relatively quiet property, with a friendly atmosphere, run by a small, dedicated staff of 4 and wider team of volunteers. You'll be part of a collections team of two, reporting to the Senior Collections and House Officer.
Whilst the role sits under Stowe, you will work predominantly at Claydon House, one of the properties in the Stowe and Aylesbury Vale portfolio. The portfolio consists of Stowe Landscape Gardens, Claydon House, a medieval tower and duck decoy at Boarstall, Long Crendon Courthouse, and Buckingham Chantry Chapel. As part of a portfolio team, you will take time out to care for these other properties too.
Claydon has been occupied by the Verney family for more than 550 years; the place is a testament to their fascinating fluctuating fortunes, from their close involvement in the English Civil War, to the family connection with Florence Nightingale.
In the 1750s, at his family seat in Buckingham, Ralph Verney set out to create a country house of extraordinary grandeur that would dazzle his wealthy neighbours and outdo his political rivals. Thirty years on he was facing financial ruin.
Today the interiors that remain are among the most ambitious and lavish ever created in the eighteenth century.
What you'll be doing
As a Collections Assistant, you'll be helping with the day-to-day cleaning and care of the collections. No detail will go unnoticed, and you'll keep a keen eye on everything from the environmental conditions in a room, to signs of wear and tear. You'll keep accurate records too.
In this visitor facing role, we'd love you to talk to visitors about the work you're doing, and the collections we have. You'll also be part of the wider team of employees and volunteers, helping to cover where necessary.
Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.
Who we're looking for
We'd love to hear from you if you're;
- a team player, but can also work on your own initiative
- well organised and adaptable?
- customer focused with a positive attitude?
- willing to learn new skills?
- someone with good manual dexterity and hand-to-eye skills and ability to work from ladders and tower scaffold
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.