Seasonal Steward

Starting salary: £25,770 pro rata (proportionate to hours worked and length of contract)

Contract type: Part Year Permanent

Grade: 1

Location: Smailholm Tower, Sandyknowe Farm, Kelso, TD5 7PG

Working Hours: 28 Hours per week, Friday to Monday, hours between 9:00 to 17:00

Interviews: To be held in person on week commencing 26 January 2026

Your role of Seasonal Steward will be a part year permanent position up until 30 September 2026. The likely start date for this role is April 2026.

Are you looking for a 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 Smailholm Tower during the season.

You will be part of the team looking after Smailholm Tower. You will be self-directed and independent while interacting with the visitors to the tower.

Smailholm is historically significant for its connections to Border Reivers and Sir Walter Scott. The site is also architecturally significant, being one of the best examples of keep towers surviving.

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 visitors with a world-class welcome when they arrive at the site and help them to find their way around the tower.

• Sell tickets and shop items, handle payments, and ensure the correct financial procedures are followed accurately.

• Monitor vehicles coming in to make sure parking and access rules are followed.

• Help keep everyone safe on site, especially when Tower events or activities are taking place.

• Greet group bookings and make sure they get in easily, offering extra information if needed.

• Share details about other Historic Environment Scotland sites and what visitors can enjoy there.

• Make sure every visitor has an excellent experience by being helpful, friendly, and providing an efficient service to everyone.

• Work with your team to manage visitor and vehicle access in coordination with other site activities.

• Ability to deal professionally and pleasantly with varied customer needs and queries.

• Stay up to date with safety procedures like fire plans, evacuation routes, incident response guidelines and where to find First Aid supplies.

• Help keep the site looking its best—check exhibitions and displays, and report anything that needs fixing.

• Follow health and safety guidelines to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit.

• Be ready to work outside in all kinds of weather and spend time outside helping visitors.

• Support visitors with different needs and help out in busy situations.

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 service and a passion for working in the heritage tourism industry
• Proven ability to deal professionally and pleasantly with varied customer needs and queries.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (suitable clothing will be provided).
• Willingness to work regular weekends and bank holidays as part of rota, occasionally working unsocial hours to provide support for activities such as events.

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.