Collections Assistant

National Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

National Trust is seeking a part-time Collections Assistant to care for historic house collections and present them to visitors at Tyntesfield, near Bristol. You will help with cleaning, recording items, and monitoring conditions in a busy, welcoming setting.

The role emphasizes great service, teamwork, and flexibility within a two-rota pattern, including one schedule with Thursdays/Fridays and a weekend, or Sundays to Tuesdays. Salary £15,502.50 pro rata, permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail in handling historic objects and displays.
• Ability to communicate with visitors while describing collections.
• Willingness to work flexibly within a rota and across days.

Responsibilities

• Help with day-to-day cleaning and care of collections, textiles and furniture.
• Maintain accurate records and monitor environmental conditions and wear.
• Support volunteers and engage with visitors about the work and collections.

Skills

Hand-eye coordination

Flexibility

Customer service

Team orientation

Organisation

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: £15,502.50 pro rata (FTE £25,837.50 per annum)

Contract: Permanent

Hours/ working pattern: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week. There are two positions available:

• One role working pattern will be Thursday, Friday and either Saturday or Sunday each week, depending on the rota so some flexibility is required. The hours are 8.30-5 pm each day.


• One role working pattern would be Sunday, Monday & Tuesday each week.

Interview: Tuesday 10th November 2026.

What It's Like To Work Here

The 70-strong team at this spectacular Victorian gothic house have ambitious plans for growth over the next few years. Tyntesfield’s excellent location just outside of Bristol means there is great scope to develop the visitor experience to this vast estate, and the team are encouraged to be forward thinking and creative in their approach. There is a strong sustainability focus at the property with working kitchen gardens that produce delicious produce for the café and restaurant.

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

• 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 place: Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1NT

Documents: Collections Assistant - Grade 10 - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements: Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 25 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.