Painter - Palace MCU (Maltings) 57

Historic Environment Scotland; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A cultural heritage organization is seeking a Painter to perform painting and conservation works at historical sites in Edinburgh, including Holyrood Palace. The role requires significant experience, health and safety awareness, and a full driving license. You'll be working closely with a team to restore and maintain historic structures. Benefits include a civil service pension, generous leave, and personal development support. Applications must demonstrate relevant experience and commitment to diversity.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension scheme

25 days annual leave pro-rata

Reimbursement for professional subscriptions

Support for further education and personal development

Flexible working hours

Free entry to properties with guests

Qualifications

• Proven experience in painting and decorating repairs.
• Understanding of conservation techniques is essential.

Responsibilities

• Carry out conservation and routine maintenance painting works on HES monuments.
• Work within the painting team to meet project deadlines.
• Provide training and mentorship for apprentices.

Skills

Significant working experience as a Painter

Knowledge and experience of painting practices and techniques

Knowledge of Traditional paint systems

Health & Safety awareness relating to construction works

Full driving licence

Job description

Starting salary: £27,519
Contract type: Permanent
Grade: 2
Location: St Ann's Maltings, Edinburgh
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held in person at Croft-an-Righ on week commencing 12th January 2026.

Your role involves planning, organising, and delivering painting and decorating repairs at Holyrood Palace and other HES sites in the Edinburgh region. From re‑coating sash and case windows to working on conservation projects to restore decorative coats of arms, there's a wide range of tasks that you’ll be doing. You'll closely collaborate with our team of joiners, as painting often follows their completed joinery work.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description here for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

To carry out conservation and routine maintenance painting works to HES monuments in the Edinburgh region. This will involve a variety of different forms of traditional stonemasonry.

• To perform conservation and regular maintenance on HES monuments in the Edinburgh area. This includes traditional painting upkeep for Holyrood Palace and historic sites across the Edinburgh district.
• To work within the painting team to fulfil the painting work program at Holyrood Palace and St Anns Maltings Depot
• Provide training and mentorship for apprentices in traditional painting skills.
• Comply with and promote HES Health and Safety Policy.
• Throughout your employment with HES, you will be required to attend training courses identified to assist the work, or to comply with health and safety legislation (this may require overnight stays away from home)

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential:

• Significant working experience as a Painter
• Knowledge and experience of painting practices and techniques
• Knowledge of Traditional paint systems.
• Health & Safety awareness relating to construction works
• Full driving licence

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description here.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at [e-mail] or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.