Steward(s) - Shetland

Starting salary: £27,550

Contract type: Seasonal

Grade: 1

Location: Jarlshof, Shetland

Working Hours: Full time and part time available.

Interviews: To be held in person or Teams Week Commencing 26th January 2026

Your role of Steward at Historic Environment Scotland will be a fixed term position. We currently have two positions available. The likely start date for these roles is March and June 2026.

Are you looking for a flexible seasonal job that is both fun and unique? You'll get an insight into Scotland's rich history and gain valuable experience in the tourism industry and help bring Scotland's dramatic history to life for our visitors from across the world. Explore the fascinating stories from Scotland's past and share your passion with international and local visitors who come to Shetland during the season.

The fascinating history and archaeology of Shetland engages thousands of visitors each year with a wide range of sites to suit all interests.

Orkney and Shetland district has 40 properties, of which six are staffed. You will be based at Jarlshof in Shetland, with opportunities to work across other sites for the right candidate.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

• Provide the warmest welcome to our visitors and engage proactively with customer service.
• Process and promote retail and admissions transactions through the till system.
• Ensure a high standard of presentation throughout the site, following appropriate cleaning processes in both public and staff areas. This will include grounds maintenance and grass cutting.
• Work as a team to achieve quality assurance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Actively support in HES seminars, events, functions and promotions.
• Deliver guided tours/talks as part of the core visitor experience.
• Proactively communicate with colleagues across the site to ensure high performance, standards and consistency.
• Support the Monument Manager on partnership and community engagement initiatives and projects, including volunteering, weddings and other events.
• Working together with your monument team to achieve overall commercial performance targets.
• Promote commercial opportunities within the monument, such as upcoming events and retail products where appropriate.
• Assist Monument Manager to ensure accurate stock management and assist with stock ordering and deliveries as required.
• Ensure the security of the site, buildings and contents, including acting as key holder (where required).
• Ensure that the health and safety of staff, visitors and contractors is paramount at all times and follow correct procedures to ensure safe operation of any equipment

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience delivering high standards of customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Cash handling experience or willingness to undertake training.
• A genuine interest for working in the heritage tourism industry.
• Ability to work independently at times.
• IT skills and the ability to use basic online functions

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at or call our Head Office at and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.