Collections Assistant - Yelverton

National Trust; Yelverton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A conservation organization in Yelverton is seeking a Collections Assistant to care for precious collections and engage with visitors. In this part-time role, you will support a housekeeping team, monitor the condition of collections, and maintain high visitor service standards. The position requires work on weekends, with a focus on teamwork and attention to detail. Salary is £12.75 per hour, with additional benefits including a pension scheme and holiday allowance.

Benefits

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 where possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust sites

Qualifications

• Nimble-fingered and comfortable working from ladders.
• Adaptable to flexible work situations.
• Focused on delivering great service.

Responsibilities

• Clean and care for collections of objects and art.
• Monitor environmental conditions and wear and tear.
• Engage with visitors, explaining collections.

Skills

Good hand-to-eye skills

Service-oriented

Team player

Well-organised

Willingness to learn

Job description

Collections Assistant Overview

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, keeping a keen eye on everything from environmental conditions in a room to any signs of wear and tear. You'll also keep accurate records and engage with visitors, explaining the collections you help to preserve. You may act as Duty Manager or House Manager on a rota basis, supporting the day‑to‑day operational delivery of the property and our team of volunteer Room Guides. This role requires regular weekend working, with the working week running Sunday to Thursday. The full role profile can be viewed in the attached document. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed – the profile is simply provided for reference.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the housekeeping team to clean and care for precious collections of objects, works of art, textiles and furniture.
• Monitor environmental conditions and any signs of wear and tear.
• Keep accurate records of collections care.
• Engage with visitors, explaining the collections and the care behind them.
• Support operational delivery as a Duty Manager or House Manager on a rota basis.
• Assist the volunteer Room Guides and maintain high visitor service standards.
• Work regular weekends – the operating week is Sunday to Thursday.

Qualifications & Skills

• Nimble‑fingered with good hand‑to‑eye skills; comfortable working from ladders or scaffold towers.
• Comfortable with flexible and adaptable work situations.
• Focused on providing great service to everyone.
• Team player who can also work independently.
• Well‑organised and versatile.
• Willing to learn new skills.

About Buckland and the National Trust

When you visit Buckland, you walk over 700 years of history, from the Cistercians who built the Abbey to seafarers Grenville and Drake who changed the shape of the house and the fate of the country. The Abbey is part museum, part house, and filled with treasures. The National Trust is committed to preserving places of natural beauty and historic interest for the benefit of the nation, for everyone, forever. For 126 years we have maintained high standards of conservation, stewardship, and curatorial care, enabling the public and members to enjoy England’s heritage.

Job Details

Salary: £12.75 per hour – Contract: Permanent – Hours: Part‑time, 20 hours per week – Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday, giving Sunday and Monday off.

We prioritise applications from employees under redundancy notice in line with our redeployment policy. We seek an individual with a love of history and an eye for detail, friendly and open with visitors.

Benefits

• Substantial pension scheme up to 10 % of basic salary.
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and children under 18.
• Rental deposit loan scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• EV car lease scheme.
• Perks at work discounts (gym memberships, shopping, cinema, etc.).
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days (pro‑rated for length of service) and holiday purchase scheme (subject to minimum criteria).
• Flexible working where possible.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Free parking at most Trust sites.