Seasonal Steward/Groundskeeper - Dryburgh Abbey

Historic Environment Scotland; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A heritage organization in Scotland is seeking a Seasonal Steward/Groundskeeper to care for Dryburgh Abbey. This fixed-term role involves welcoming visitors, maintaining ecological standards, and offering excellent customer service. Successful candidates will have practical skills in landscape management and a passion for heritage tourism. The position offers a starting salary of £25,770 pro rata and includes benefits such as a Civil Service Pension scheme and flexible working hours.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension scheme

25 days annual leave, pro-rata

Free entry to properties

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high standards of service in customer-facing roles.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Knowledge of biodiversity and its promotion.

Responsibilities

• Provide visitors a warm welcome and enhance their experience.
• Ensure health and safety guidelines are followed.
• Maintain cleanliness of the site and shop.

Skills

Practical skills in landscape management

Strong customer service skills

Basic IT skills

Tools

Machinery and hand-tools use

Job description

Overview

Starting salary: £25,770 pro rata (proportionate to hours worked and length of contract)

Contract type: Fixed Term contract from April to September 2026

Grade: 1

Location: Dryburgh Abbey, Dryburgh, St Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0RQ

Working Hours: 21 hours per week, 3 days from 7, weekend working expected, hours between 9:00 to 17:30

Interviews: To be held in person on week commencing 26 January 2026

Your role of Seasonal Steward/Groundskeeper will be a fixed term position up until 30 September 2026. The likely start date for this role is in April 2026.

Are you looking for a seasonal job that is both fun and unique? You’ll have a fantastic opportunity to help shape our biodiversity strategy through your existing knowledge of landscape management, bringing practical skills and your initiative to enhance ecological benefits.

You will be part of the team looking after Dryburgh Abbey and join the existing staff in welcoming and interacting with visitors.

Due to its rural setting Dryburgh Abbey has arguably the most important biodiversity role among the HES sites in the region. In combination with the monument itself and its important historical aspects, the arboretum and wildflower areas create a unique visitor experience.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description 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

• Practical and technical skills in landscape management such as use of machinery and hand-tools, coupled with a strong sense of initiative and an ability to work independently, prioritising tasks as necessary
• An understanding of the balance between the site’s needs and its sensitive ecosystems
• Be ready to work outside in all kinds of weather and spend time outside helping visitors.
• Provide visitors with a world-class, warm welcome when they arrive at the site, highlighting the various attributes of the site.
• Make sure every visitor has an excellent experience by being helpful, friendly, efficient and kind.
• Sell tickets and shop items, handle payments, and ensure the correct financial procedures are followed accurately.
• Stay up to date with safety procedures like fire plans, evacuation routes, incident response guidelines and where to find First Aid supplies.
• Follow health and safety guidelines to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit.
• Work together with the monument team to achieve overall commercial performance targets.
• Help keep the site immaculate, and the shop and toilets sparkling.
• Ensure the security of the site, buildings and contents including acting as a key holder.
• Encourage visitors to explore other Historic Environment Scotland sites.

Key requirements of the role

• Practical and technical skills in landscape management such as use of machinery and hand-tools
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (suitable clothing will be provided)
• A keen interest in and knowledge of biodiversity and the promotion of its value
• Experience delivering high standards of service and a passion for working in the heritage tourism industry
• Proven ability to deal professionally and pleasantly with varied customer needs and queries
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues
• Basic IT skills and ability to use online functions
• Willingness to work weekends and bank holidays, very occasionally working unsocial hours to provide support for activities such as events

Find out more about the desirable skills and experience in our full job description: 20251209_Seasonal Steward_Groundskeeper Dryburgh Abbey 788.pdf

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’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.