Job Description

Starting salary:

25,770

Contract type:

Fixed Term Appointment for 18 months

Grade:

1

Location:

Longmore House, Edinburgh (with hybrid working)

Working Hours:

Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week

Interviews:

To be held in person on Week Commencing 25 August 2025


Heritage traineeships are a part of HES's long-standing skills development programme. The Heritage Graduate Trainee will have the opportunity to gain experience within each team of the Heritage Directorate, increasing their knowledge of the wider heritage sector, expanding their professional network and receiving expert mentorship. Working in short placements, the Heritage Graduate Trainee will develop skills and knowledge relevant to the sector and assist with the delivery of project and programme work for the directorate.

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

We are looking for a self-motivated and organised individual, who works well as part of a team and has a good general understanding of Scotland's historic environment, its protection and management. This is a development opportunity for a graduate with an appropriate degree in a field directly relevant to heritage management, such as archaeology, planning, conservation, architectural history or architecture, who wishes to gain work experience in the historic environment.


This post is a unique opportunity to work with colleagues specialising in Heritage management and will offer the opportunity to gain experience. The role includes varied tasks such as:


Community outreach and stakeholder mapping. Creating an internal consultation for a guidance review. Data analysis of workshop responses to identify ways to take forward actions from climate and nature crisesstatement . Engaging with our communication channels to promote traineeship and activities of the Directorate. These included creating an Instagram reel, researching and authoring a Canmore in Contextarticle, writing Blogs and presenting to colleagues. Updating of the Sites and Archive Systems(SAS) to meet modern standards. Spatial Data Creation using Geographic Information System(GIS). Creation of OASIS records to improve the Historic Environment (HER) Record. Archival Research and creating a structural database for a recording project. Undertaking photographic surveys and reconnaissance visits in advance of surveys. Updating designations records and performing a scheduling amendment through our in-house Heritage Management System. Undertaking desk-based research and a site visit for a Listing case. Advising on planning and listed building consent applications. Meetings with external partners in local authorities and applicants to discuss cases. Analysing and providing advice for conservation area appraisals.
The above is indicative of the range of activities that are available, but the programme will be curated around the applicant's interest and the current work being undertaken in the teams.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a

cover letter

which addresses:

1.

Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2.

How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience.

Essential Criteria:

Demonstrable interest and knowledge of the functions of the heritage sector and interest in Scotland's historic environment. Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to adjust your communication style to suit the audience and media. Previous teamwork experience in a professional, university or school setting. Proactive approach to self-development and learning. Ability to identify, source and analyse information to produce concise, well-structured and accurate written and numeric work. The ability to work on various projects at the same time and prioritise the workload accordingly. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams. SCQF Level 10 Degree in a relevant discipline.




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 recruit@hes.scot 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.

Due to site maintenance, please note that we are currently experiencing problems with issuing notification emails through our recruitment platform. If you have not received notification that your application has been received, please email recruit@hes.scot. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this.