Collections Assistant

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Arlington; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance 32 days

Job summary

National Trust for Arlington Court is seeking a detail‑oriented Collections Assistant to help care for historic objects, furniture and textiles. You will chat with visitors about the work, support volunteers, and contribute to a welcoming day for all guests in a historic setting.

The role includes a four‑day pattern with weekend work every third weekend and shifts Monday to Thursday with some weekend coverage. A proactive approach to maintaining collections and environment is essential.

Qualifications

• Good hand-to-eye skills and comfort working from ladders or scaffold towers.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to daily tasks.
• Focus on delivering excellent service to visitors.
• Team player, but able to work on own initiative.
• Well-organised and versatile in handling duties.
• Willing to learn new skills related to collections care.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day cleaning and care of the house collections, including objects, furniture and textiles.
• Maintain accurate records of conditions, environmental factors and wear.
• Support Collections and House volunteers as needed.
• Talk to visitors about the work and the collections.

Skills

Hand–eye skills

Flexible work style

Customer service

Team player

Initiative

Organised

Willing to learn

Job description

We’re looking for someone with a love of history and an eye for detail, who’s friendly and open with people. This role is about looking after a historic house and its collections of precious objects, furniture and works of art. And it’s about presenting all of this to people visiting, and helping to make every person’s day memorable and enjoyable.

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

Contract: Permanent

Hours/ working pattern: Part-time, 30 hours per week. This role requires weekend working and the pattern is working one weekend in three. It's a four day a week role and one of the days will need to be a Monday.

Shifts will be Monday to Thursday, with every third weekend worked, on this week the days worked would be Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday (with Tuesday and Thursday off).

Please note you will be required to work Mondays and every third weekend, but the days in the week shift pattern can be negotiable.

Provisional interview date: 14th October 2026.

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

Devon is a county of contrasts - from surfing beaches and spectacular cliffs on the north coast to the mellow south Devon countryside, with the wilds of Dartmoor - our North Devon portfolio has it all! With inspiring valleys, sandy beaches, towering cliffs, woodlands and moorland, North Devon was a favourite landscape of the Romantic Poets. It provides all visitors with a huge opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with walks of all shapes and sizes and if you love the outdoors, you’ll love being part of our team who promote our cause and the importance of preserving these special places for our future generations.

As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a supportive housekeeping team in an inspiring historic setting. You’ll be helping with the day-to-day cleaning and care of the precious collections of objects, works of art, textiles and furniture that are part of the house’s history. You’ll be alert to details and changes, and will keep a keen eye on everything from the environmental conditions in a room to any signs of wear and tear. You’ll also be keeping accurate records. Providing support to our Collections and House volunteers when needed.

It's a role that’s all about people as well, so you’ll be talking to visitors about the work you’re doing and the collections you help to look after.

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:

• good hand-to-eye skills, and happy to work from ladders or scaffold towers
• comfortable working in a flexible and adaptable way
• focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
• a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
• well-organised and versatile
• 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

Arlington Court, Arlington, Barnstaple, EX31 4LP

Documents

Collections Assistant - Grade 10 - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 11th October 2026

Provisional interview date: 14th 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.