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 full time, permanent opportunity working from 9am to 5pm, 37.5 hours per week. You will be required to work every third weekend as part of the teams rota. 

What it's like to work here

Sissinghurst Castle is a beautiful home set within the internationally renowned garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. The Collections and House Team are responsible for the care of one of the largest libraries in the National Trust and an eclectic range of objects belonging to Vita and Harold. The collection spaces are found within the remnants of a once vast Elizabethan manor and include the Long Library, Writing Room, South Cottage, and the Gazebo. The dispersal of the collection spaces across the garden creates both curatorial challenges and opportunities. A strong team spirit and collaborative working environment is key to the success of Sissinghurst and we are looking for a flexible, creative colleague.

Click here for more information about this location

What you'll be doing

As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a great dedicated Collections & House 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.

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