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 ourCollections Assistant are so important.

Hours/ working pattern: part-time. This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year.

Salary: £11.64 per hour

Duration: permanent

Interview date: 6 February 2025

Potential start date: 1 March 2025

For this role, you'll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the Senior Collections and House Officer you will be part of a team of two collections assistants working at Finch Foundry. The greater team consists of a Visitor Welcome Assistant and a small team of volunteers who help to tell the stories of Finch Foundry and bring the property to life for our visitors.

To find out more about the property please visit: Finch Foundry | Devon | National Trust

You'll have the opportunity to get involved with many different aspects of the collection, volunteering and visitor experience. We want you to learn, discover and develop in the role and we'll do all we can to help you achieve your goals through training and support.

What you'll be doing

Day to day you will be here to ensure the conservation of our collection. We have a wide collection of edge tools produced by the Finch company throughout the years, along with associated items. We also have the last working machinery of its type in England so it can be a little different from the norm. Due to the environment we work in they are always under threat and will need regular monitoring and care and recording of this work.

You'll need to be willing to learn about the place and its contents as you will be on hand to answer visitor's questions and be able to conduct guided tours of the site. A base script and training will be provided.

As you will be part of a small team it is essential that you are a team player and happy to work with anyone.

We're looking for:
A team player, who can also work on their own initiative.
Good understanding or willingness to learn about safety and maintenance of working machinery.
Good understanding or willingness to learn about preventative collections conservation.
Willingness to learn about the property, its history and its collections.
Experience of using computer software/databases.
Experience of working with volunteers.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you're;
a team player, but can also work on your own initiative
well organised and adaptable
customer focused with a positive attitude
willing to learn new skills
someone with good manual dexterity and hand-to-eye skills and ability to work from ladders and tower scaffold

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.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• EV car lease scheme

• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Employee assistance programme

• Free parking at most Trust places

to find out moreabout the benefits we offer to support you.

Closing Date: 2 February 2025

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0*** or email us at

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0*** or email us at and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

EqualOpportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
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