Specialist Craftsperson

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; West Wycombe; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial 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 plus

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

Park Farm in West Wycombe hosts a Specialist Craft Team where a bench joiner in the early part of their career will help conserve and craft joinery for National Trust properties. You’ll work from drawings to finished pieces, using hand tools and workshop machinery, contributing to the care of historic houses, castles and gardens.

The role is workshop-based with regular travel to NT places to survey, remove and install joinery. Monday-Thursday 8:00–16:30, Friday 8:00–13:30, weekends not required.

Qualifications

• Advanced bench joinery qualification or equivalent experience.
• Proven bench skills with safe use of woodworking machinery.
• Experience repairing historic buildings or heritage settings.
• Gold CSCS card or willingness to gain one.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Good written and verbal communication; basic IT for records.

Responsibilities

• Create and repair high-quality joinery from drawings to finished pieces.
• Conserve historic joinery while retaining original material.
• Assess repair methods with colleagues for long-term care.
• Prepare cutting lists and material requirements for projects.
• Carry out site surveys and install joinery across places.
• Maintain safety standards and keep records of work.

Skills

Bench joinery skills

Woodworking machinery operation

Heritage/conservation experience

Health & safety knowledge

Driving licence

First Aid at Work

Communication & IT basics

Education

Advanced bench joinery qualification (City and Guilds or NVQ Level 3)

Job description

Summary

We’re looking for a bench joiner in the early part of their career, already qualified and with solid workshop experience behind them, to join the Specialist Craft Team at Park Farm. You’ll make and conserve joinery for some of the most historically significant buildings in the country, working alongside master craftspeople who will help you take your skills further than most workshops can. Working pattern for this role is Monday-Thursday 8-4.30 and Friday 8-1.30, weekend and bank holiday working is not required.

What it's like to work here

You’ll be part of the Trust’s Specialist Delivery Team: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. Park Farm is one of the Trust’s Specialist Crafts Centres, a fully equipped joinery workshop in West Wycombe serving National Trust places across London and the South East. We are a small team of experienced joiners and apprentices. The work is varied and technically demanding: box sash windows, panelled doors, entrance gates, staircases and garden furniture for historic houses, castles and gardens in the Trust’s care. One week you may be setting out a curved sash from a rod, the next surveying or fitting at a property. This is a workshop-based role. Your contractual place of work will be Park Farm, with regular travel to National Trust places to survey, remove and install joinery. This can be discussed further at interview stages.

What you'll be doing

As part of our specialist conservation team, you'll use your craftsmanship and technical skills to create and repair high-quality joinery for some of the National Trust's most treasured places. Working from initial drawings through to finished pieces, you'll make bespoke joinery using a range of hand tools and workshop machinery, helping to care for historic buildings and ensure they can be enjoyed for years to come. A key part of the role will involve conserving and repairing historic joinery, carefully retaining as much original material as possible while creating sympathetic repairs that blend seamlessly with existing features. You'll assess the most appropriate repair methods, supported by experienced colleagues, and contribute your expertise to the long-term care of our properties. You'll also support the planning and delivery of projects by preparing cutting lists and material requirements, carrying out site surveys, and removing or installing joinery across our places. Whether working in the workshop or on site, you'll maintain high standards of safety, keeping accurate records of work completed, materials used and time spent on projects. Working collaboratively with colleagues, apprentices and volunteers, you'll help share skills and knowledge, contributing to a positive and supportive learning environment. Through your work, you'll play an important role in protecting traditional craft skills and preserving our shared heritage for future generations.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll be a trained bench joiner with a few years of good experience, ready for more demanding work. You don’t need decades behind you. You do need sound skills, care for accuracy and a real wish to become expert in traditional and conservation joinery.

• • An advanced craft qualification in bench joinery (City and Guilds or NVQ Level 3) or equivalent experience


• • Proven bench skills and safe, competent use of woodworking machinery


• • Some experience of repairing old buildings or working in a heritage setting, and an appetite to learn much more


• • A Gold CSCS card, or willingness to gain one


• • Up-to-date health and safety knowledge and the confidence to make decisions on site


• • Good written and verbal communication, and basic IT skills for records and paperwork


• • A First Aid at Work certificate, or willingness to gain one


• • A current full UK driving licence

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• •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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

National Trust place

Park Farm EY, Chapel Lane, West Wycombe, HP12 4BN

Documents

• Specialist Craftsperson - Career Level B.pdf


• Specialist-Craftsperson-Advert.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 1st November 2026

Interview Dates: W/C 9th November 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.