Collections Assistant

National Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

National Trust Saltram in Plymouth is seeking a part-time Collections Assistant to join a historic house team. You’ll help with day-to-day cleaning and care of precious objects, textiles and furniture, while talking to visitors about the work you’re doing and the collections you help to protect.

You’ll work 16 hours across Sunday to Wednesday, using good hand-to-eye skills and a friendly, service-focused approach to ensure a memorable visit for every guest.

Qualifications

• Good hand-to-eye skills and comfortable working from ladders or scaffolding.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• Focused on delivering great service to all visitors.
• A team player who can also work on your own initiative.
• Well-organised and versatile, able to prioritise.
• Willing to learn new skills and adapt to tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily cleaning and care of the collections, including objects, textiles and furniture.
• Monitor environmental conditions and signs of wear; keep accurate records.
• Provide support to Collections and House volunteers when needed.

Skills

Hand-eye skills

Flexible/adaptable

Service oriented

Team player

Organised

Willing to learn

Job description

Summary

The National Trust's commitment is "For everyone, for ever." Bringing that promise to life starts with the people that work here. It means building teams with a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. It means creating an inclusive environment where everyone is able to thrive.

Our roles are open to all. However, we particularly welcome applications from people of colour and people of the global majority because they are underrepresented at the Trust. 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.

Salary: £13.25 per hour

Contract: Permanent

Hours/ working pattern: Part-time, 16 hours per week, the working pattern will be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week

Interview date: Friday 6th November 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

A high profile cultural destination described as an ‘oasis in the middle of the city’, this magnificent mansion and parkland near Plymouth offers a tranquil riverside escape with close‑by city amenities. With over 900,000 visits last year, Saltram is one of the busiest properties in the country. A well‑loved parkland used by locals for walking and exercising, a popular garden which changes with the seasons and a treasure house makes Saltram a popular property for a range of audiences. Currently, the Future Saltram Project aims to deliver significant and exciting changes across every area of the property to maximise its commercial potential and deepen audience engagement. Ideally positioned as an urban property, Saltram prides itself on its exceptional visitor experience and service standards. An energised, capable, engaged team make Saltram a fun place to work. It’s certainly an exciting time to be at Saltram.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram

What You'll Be Doing

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

• 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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• 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.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

National Trust placeSaltram, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 1UH

DocumentsCollections Assistant - Grade 10 - Career Level A2.pdf

RequirementsCompliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 25th October 2026

Interview date: Friday 6th November 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.