Collections & House Officer - Petworth

Working within a bustling atmosphere as part of a passionate team, you'll be at the forefront of creating an exceptional, museum quality, visitor programme. This includes assisting in the production of incredible exhibitions and displays for the collections and house and helping to deliver high standards of collections care.

We need someone who can champion visitor engagement, support in creating an inclusive and diverse environment, and and manage a fantastic team of conservation volunteers

Our operational opening is seven days a week and our work pattern includes weekends, as well as out-of-hours events, so we also ask for a flexible approach to working hours. You'll also be part of the property duty management team.

Working pattern can be discussed at interview stage.

Hours/Contract: 37.5 hours per week, fixed term for 12 months

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the Senior Collections and House Officer, you'll join a close-knit team including 4 full time Collection Assistants. We benefit from working across departments, delivering an exceptional visitor welcome and audience focused programme throughout the year, as well as ensuring the experiences of our staff and volunteers are positive, inclusive and meaningful.

Petworth House and Park is a large Baroque Mansion set in a Capability Brown designed landscape. As part of the Collections and House team we hope you'll share our enthusiasm for the preservation and presentation of our internationally renowned collection of pictures and sculpture.

You'll need to be comfortable working from heights., Supervised by the Senior Collections and House Officer, you'll be responsible for routine conservation, preventive conservation and the annual programme of deep cleaning as well as the movement of major works of art. Your attention and expertise will help to ensure excellent standards of care throughout the house.

Working with the Collections Assistants you'll collect and record information gathered during cleaning and housekeeping, to improve our knowledge and understanding of the house and all that's in it. You'll use preventive conservation methods to improve how we look after everything, and how we present it to visitors. And you'll be sharing stories about the past with anyone who's interested, as well as your personal experience of working here.

We'd love to hear from you if you are/have:

• Experience of collections management and preventive conservation in a historic house setting.


• Able to engage visitors with the Trust's work.


• Experience of supervising staff and volunteers, supporting them to work at their best.


• Understanding of relevant compliance, health and safety and emergency procedures.


• Able to use own initiative by taking a positive and flexible approach to resolve operational issues.


• Confident in working without supervision and being able to use your great leadership skills to enthuse your team.
  
  The National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving those places of natural beauty and historic interest for which it has the privilege to be responsible for the benefit of the nation, for everyone for ever.


The Trust is proud of what has been achieved over the last 126 years and is determined to maintain those high standards of conservation, stewardship and curatorial care for which it has been recognised throughout the world.

Its achievements have enabled the general public and the Trust's members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections, all of which encapsulate so much of the history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement.

The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care.

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



• 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