Preventive Conservation Assistant

Longleat Enterprises Limited (trading as Longleat); Warminster; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days holiday

Unlimited free entry

Discounts on food and beverages

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Perks at work

Flexible working schemes

Job summary

Longleat Enterprises Limited (Trading as Longleat) seeks a Practical Preventive Conservation Assistant to help care for Longleat House collections and interiors. You will work within the House & Collections team, performing cleaning, monitoring and IPM tasks to minimise deterioration.

The role is permanent, 16 hours per week over two days, usually Mon–Fri 7:00–15:30, with occasional flexibility for projects and events.

Qualifications

• A demonstrable interest in museum, heritage or conservation work.
• Excellent attention to detail and a careful approach.
• Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a small team.
• Confidence handling a variety of practical tasks.

Responsibilities

• Carry out conservation cleaning of furniture, decorative arts, books, historic interiors and display areas.
• Undertake routine condition monitoring and report concerns affecting the collections.
• Support Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme through monitoring and housekeeping.
• Assist with collection moves, handling and storage projects.
• Support exhibition preparation, object installation and collection care projects.
• Assist with housekeeping programmes in public and private areas of the House.

Skills

Interest in museum heritage

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Record-keeping

Independent worker

Team player

Confident with practical tasks

Job description

About the role:

Longleat House is one of Britain's most significant Elizabethan houses and home to nationally important collections accumulated by the Marquesses of Bath over more than four centuries. The collections include furniture, paintings, textiles, books, archives, sculpture, ceramics, arms and armour, and historic interiors displayed throughout the House.

We are seeking a practical and enthusiastic Preventive Conservation Assistant to support the long-term care and preservation of the collections and historic interiors of Longleat House.

Working as part of the House & Collections team, you will assist with a wide range of preventive conservation activities designed to minimise deterioration and improve the condition and longevity of our collections. The role offers a rare opportunity to work within an occupied historic house, caring for collections that remain in their original setting.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out conservation cleaning of furniture, decorative arts, books, historic interiors and display areas.
• Undertake routine condition monitoring and report concerns affecting the collections.
• Support the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme through monitoring, recording and housekeeping activities.
• Assist with collection moves, handling and storage projects in accordance with established procedures.
• Support exhibition preparation, object installation and collection care projects.
• Assist with housekeeping programmes in public and private areas of the House.

About you

• A demonstrable interest in museum, heritage or conservation work.
• Excellent attention to detail and a careful, methodical approach.
• Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a small team.
• Confidence handling a variety of practical tasks.

Your contract

You will be employed on a permanent contract working 16 hours per week over two days. Working hours will normally fall between Monday and Friday, 7.00am and 3.30pm. While the role is primarily undertaken during these hours, occasional flexibility may be required to support collection projects, exhibitions, events and other operational requirements, which may include evening or weekend working.

A little about us

At Longleat we offer a day out like no other, our guests are invited to step into the Thynn family home where they will find the finest example of Elizabethan Architecture. They are also immersed into the wild side, where they can visit over 120 species of animals by car, foot, train, bus, and boat.

With a core business welcoming around 1 million guests every year, we are passionate about providing unforgettable experiences that bring family and friends together to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Why join the Longleat team?

In this unique work environment, you will be surrounded by historic landscapes and listed buildings, all whilst listening to our lions roar and wolves howl. You will even have the opportunity to visit our adorable Koalas and cheeky meerkats during your lunch break.

You will receive attractive benefits that include:

• 29 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, rising to 31 days at 5 years’ service.
• Unlimited free entry to Longleat for our employees
• Complimentary tickets to Longleat and Cheddar Gorge and Caves, 18 per annum pro rata
• 50% off Membership for Friends and Family
• Discounts on food and beverages and retail merchandise
• Discounts on VIP Experiences and Accommodation
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme
• Perks at work
• Range of flexible working schemes