Car Park Assistant

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Petworth; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension

Free entry for you and guests

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance

Job summary

National Trust is recruiting a Car Park Assistant for Petworth to warmly welcome visitors and guide them to parking and facilities. The role involves outdoor work in all weather, with a flexible, zero-hour contract and weekend/bank holiday shifts.

Training is provided via an online assessment instead of a CV, and you’ll help explain how visitor funds support National Trust projects. You’ll interact with diverse guests, answer questions, and promote local initiatives while keeping the car park

Qualifications

• Focus on delivering excellent service to every visitor.
• Clear communication with colleagues and management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors warmly and explain site layout.
• Assist with parking guidance and ticket sales if applicable.
• Keep car park and surrounding area tidy and welcoming.
• Support car park welcome volunteers as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptability

Job description

This role is all about giving everyone a warm and well-informed welcome as they arrive in a National Trust car park, during Petworth's Christmas offer - the busiest time of year for visitors. The Car Park Assistant is there to make sure that people who might never have visited before can understand the layout of the place, and all that it has to offer them. From that first moment of a friendly greeting to the helpful sharing of practical information, you’ll be helping to give everyone an enjoyable and memorable day out.

This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can’t guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible. The role includes weekends and Bank Holidays but does not require evening or split shifts.

You’ll be working flexibly on different days during the week which will include regular weekends as well. As this is an outdoors role, you’ll need to be comfortable working in all weather conditions.

For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a CV 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

Change is taking place at Petworth House and Park and the team are looking for innovative people to join them. The team is currently working to update the property’s visitor offering and highlight its internationally-renowned collection of pictures and sculpture as well as its Capability Brown designed historic park and pleasure grounds. If you have lots of ideas, energy and ambition, then Petworth House could be the place for you.

You’ll be working outside, meeting and greeting people as they arrive, helping to show them where to park. You may need to sell parking tickets. You'll help to keep the car park and surrounding area neat and tidy, and you’ll be friendly and helpful to everyone you come across. You'll also be on hand to support the car park welcome volunteers in driving the assistance buggy as and when required.

You’ll be responsible for answering all manner of questions and making sure visitors can find everything they need for their visit. When interacting with our customers, you’ll inform them of the amazing work we are doing and what their money is funding, promoting local projects or promoting our cause.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
• a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
• well-organised and adaptable
• willing to learn new skills.

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)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• 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.

National Trust place

Petworth, Church Street, Petworth, GU28 0AE

Documents

Car Park Assistant - A1.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 25th October 2026

Equal Opportunities 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.