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.

Because Polesden Lacey is in a rural area, please think about how you’d be able to get here for work, before you apply for this job.

What it's like to work here:Reporting to one of the Collections and House Officer, you'll join a team of 5.

It’s an exciting time to work at the celebrated Edwardian retreat of Polesden Lacey. New areas of the property have opened to the public, making this a year-round attraction with lots of opportunities within the team. The property boasts glorious views of the surrounding Surrey Hills, as well as an impressive art collection, manicured gardens and a large National Trust Shop. Colleagues have a great team spirit with close links to the local community.

Everything in the garden reflects Mrs. Greville's desire to impress her guests with lavish displays, garden tours are available through the day in summer and weekends in the winter.

What you'll be doing:As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a great housekeeping 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.

Our Collections Assistants play a key part in the day-to-day running of the house, by ensuring the effective management of the Tour Guide and Room Guide Volunteers.

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 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

• 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 locations

• Independent financial advice