Collections Assistant

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.

Weekends, bank holidays and school holidays are often our busiest times, so you'll be required to work regular weekends - usually one weekend day per week with a day off during the week.

**What it's like to work here:This vacancy is included in a trial of the ‘Disability Confident’ scheme (level 1).**

Reporting to the Senior Collections & House Officer, you will play a key role in looking after fascinating objects.

This romantic 15th century manor house has a real ‘wow’ factor. With its castle-like exterior and panoramic views, Oxburgh Estate’s Collection team love working in this beautiful environment. It is an exciting time at Oxburgh, as we continue to develop our visitor offer in different ways and share the wonders of the collection and interiors of the Hall with our many visitors. We have a collection of over 4000 items, ranging from household fittings to the internationally significant Marian Hangings - embroideries created by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick.

Click here for more information about this location

What you'll be doing:As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a friendly and supportive Collections & House team in an incredible place, helping with day-to-day cleaning and the more in-depth care of the collections. We’re keen to help you develop in the role and will ensure you get the on-the-job training you need, as well as encourage you to take up relevant learning opportunities where available.

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, helping to make sure our electronic collections database is kept up to date. Conservation-based events form an important part of our visitor offer and we’d love you to talk to visitors about the work you’re doing and the collections we have.

As part of the Collections team, you will help to open the House to visitors, and brief our Volunteer Visitor Hosts and sometimes be their point of contact throughout the day. You'll also be part of the wider team of employees and volunteers, helping to cover where necessary and to ensure that our visitors have a wonderful time.

**Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert**

Who we're looking forWe'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 packageThe 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)
- Tax free childcare scheme
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most locations
- Independent financial advice

Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Fixed Term f/t (37.5 hrs pw to 28/02/25)