Summary

We need a Collections Assistant who can champion fantastic collections care and support with preventive conservation in the house through routine housekeeping, conservation cleaning and supervision of volunteers, to deliver excellent standards of collections management. 

This is a full-time position until 28th February 2023, after that the role returns to a permanent annualised contract at 60% - this may be subject to change but can’t be guaranteed.

What it's like to work here

The Anglesey Abbey estate includes a Jacobean-style house, surrounded by diverse gardens and a working watermill, and has a history that can be traced back 800 years. Anglesey Abbey is one of the National Trust’s 28 Treasure Houses, including an internationally significant collection, at one of the National Trust’s most successful and dynamic properties.

You'll report to the Senior Collections and House Officer and form part of a fantastic Collections and House team who care for a unique and diverse collection that was collected and curated by Lord Fairhaven. You'll be able to seek development opportunities in a range of different areas including but not limited to:

• Collections care and conservation cleaning of historic objects
• Day-to-day supervision of conservation volunteers
• Condition assessing objects within the collection and learning how to identify the impacts of the 10 agents of deterioration
• Leading on and supporting with preventive conservation projects

What you'll be doing

As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a great collections team in an incredible place, 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 using both paper and electronic condition reporting processes.

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 have;

• A keen interest in history, historic properties and conservation of their collections
• A good understanding of preventive conservation
• Knowledge of the approach required when working with fragile historic collections as well as Health & Safety and emergency procedures
• Good manual dexterity and eye-to-hand skills and ability to work from ladders and tower scaffold
• The ability to support volunteers to perform at their best
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, and are a great team player
• A willingness to undertake continuing professional development and personal skills development and have an enthusiasm to learn

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible
• Free parking at most locations
• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary