We protect everything from bats to buildings to beaches – and we want to share them with everyone too. But how do we care for our special places, while helping everyone to enjoy them and their fascinating stories? It’s no small task. In fact, it’s a big team effort and it’s why our Collections Assistant are so important.
Salary: £11.64 per hour (FTE £22,68.00 per annum)
This is our anticipated salary from 1st April but is subject to final confirmation following the Trust’s annual pay review process.
Hours/ working pattern: 22.5 hours per week, to include weekdays, weekends & Bank holidays - the working pattern will be Wednesday- Saturday and bank holiday working is expected (although unlikely to affect the successful candidate given their working pattern).
Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 December 2025
Interview date: 6 March 2025
Potential start date: 12 March 2025
For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.
What it's like to work here
Set on the edge of Exmoor, overlooking the Bristol Channel, Dunster Castle has been here for around a thousand years. These days this busy historic property welcomes around 200,000 people a year who come to enjoy its stunning setting and host of things to discover and do.
For more information about our property please visit
What you'll be doing
As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a great conservation team in an incredible place, delivering both the day-to-day care and cleaning of the house and collection, and working to implement high standards of preventive conservation. No detail will go unnoticed, and you’ll keep a keen eye on everything from the environmental conditions in a room, to signs of wear and tear.
You’ll keep accurate records too. In this visitor facing role, we’d love you to talk to visitors about the work you’re doing, and the collections we have. You'll also be part of the wider team of employees and volunteers, You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.’
Who we're looking for
We'd love to hear from you if you're;
a team player, but can also work on your own initiative
well organised and adaptable
customer focused with a positive attitude
willing to learn new skills
someone with good manual dexterity and hand-to-eye skills and ability to work from ladders and tower scaffold
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