Job Description

Status: Part time, permanent contract

Working Hours: 14 hours per week, Thursdays and Friday

Salary: Grade 1, 22,932 FTE (pro rata)

Employee Benefits

Pension contributions matched up to 4% of salary. Dog friendly - bring your dog to work. Free parking - enjoy free family walks any time at Abbotsford. Staff discounts in our shop and cafe, for public events and self-catering bookings

Context

Abbotsford was designed and built by Sir Walter Scott as both his home and the location for his extensive collection of books and historical memorabilia, and was first opened to the public in 1833, five months after his death. After the death of his last direct descendent in residence, Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, in 2004, The Abbotsford Trust was created to preserve, protect and promote not only the house, but also the life and works of Sir Walter Scott. Abbotsford is considered to be one of the most important heritage sites in Scotland.

The

House Heritage Assistant

will work primarily in the historic house built and furnished by Sir Walter Scott himself, now operating as a five-star visitor attraction open daily on an annual basis between March 1st and Christmas. The House Heritage Assistant will work independently, but they will also have a very close working relationship with the House and Collections Manager and the Heritage and Community Manager who oversee the conservation and preservation of the historic house and collection pieces displayed in the accommodation wing and in the exhibition area of the Visitor Centre. These staff members will determine the House Heritage Assistant's work plan in line with best practice in museums and historic houses. Ongoing training opportunities regarding collections care and preventative conservation will be offered to the appointed candidate. The post holder will also work closely with the House Conservation Assistant and share some of the same operational responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Historic House

Opening and closing up the historic apartments and Boardroom suite Vacuuming carpeted areas in the historic house when on shift Following Housekeeping Plan in carrying out daily/weekly and monthly tasks (such as cleaning display cases and dry dusting surfaces of antique furniture pieces; mopping Abbotsford's stone floors with appropriate conservation cleaning agents, etc.) Assisting with conservation cleaning plan over the two-month closure of the house, including book cleaning, using scaffolding and ladders. With appropriate training, assist the collections staff with Abbotsford's Integrated Pest Management plan, including the siting and inspection of insect blunder traps. Volunteer supervision and support during public opening hours as required, including monitoring break cover and where additional staff presence is needed (using CCTV) Ad hoc infill to cover volunteer illness/absence/rota shortages in the historic interiors as and when they occur Replenishing consumables such as lightbulb stocks and transcript

Genera

l

Ensure that all cleaning is done to the highest standard, in line with hygiene and COSHH requirements Ensure that cleaning methods and materials used are appropriate to the historic environment Follow stock management procedures and notify the House and Collections Manager of stock requirements in advance. Ensure no cross-contamination of harmful chemicals or residues between the historic housekeeping kit and cleaning equipment used in other areas of the building Undertake training to deliver occasional guided tours of the historic house. Ensure attention to health and safety requirements at all times, paying particular attention to the The Abbotsford Trust Heritage Assistant 2 of 6 April 2025 health and safety of the general public Report any maintenance or conservation issues found Provide support with daily operations, collections administration and tasks and projects as delegated by the House and Collections Manager and the Heritage and Community Manager and with the support/advice of the House and Collections Manager where needed. Support the heritage and Community team with administrative tasks such as rotas and minute taking.

Communications and Working Relationships

Provide a high quality, friendly, and professional service to visitors Monitoring radio communications and relaying messages from Visitor Centre and other areas of site as required, including briefings for any special events or activity happening on that day Develop and maintain good team working relationships with Abbotsford staff, volunteers and Trustees Act as an ambassador for the Abbotsford Trust at all time

Person Specification Knowledge

Essential

Respect and sensitivity for the challenges of housekeeping in an historic environment operating as a museum Awareness of the importance of health and safety practices Numeracy to level required for fulfilling duties (measuring out fluids, monitoring stock levels) Literacy to level required for fulfilling duties (reading and applying policies, regulations, COSHH requirements, instructions on equipment and materials etc) Good understanding of good customer service, and how this would apply in a visitor attraction and hospitality environment Good IT skills using Microsoft 365 office suite

Desirable

Knowledge of effective cleaning methods and materials in an historic environment Understanding of COSHH requirements for cleaning within public spaces

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with and interacting with the public Desirable

Desirable

Previous experience of cleaning, ideally within a historic environment Previous experience of stock audit and ordering Previous experience in customer facing role at a visitor attraction

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Good time management skills and ability to prioritise and deliver tasks to agreed schedules and deadlines Attention to detail and ability to ensure all areas are maintained to the highest standards and potential health and safety risks are reported Practical approach to problem solving Good interpersonal and customer service skills Good team working approach and ability to work supportively and collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues Ability to work flexibly and to adapt to changing work situations Working at height, either on tower scaffolding, platforms or ladders will be a regular feature of the role, particularly during the closure period. The ideal candidate would be comfortable with the physical nature of this work.

Personal Qualities and Requirements

Interest in and commitment to The Abbotsford Trust's mission, vision, and values. Commitment to valuing equality and diversity and an understanding of how it might apply to an organisation such as the Abbotsford Trust. A flexible approach to working hours in line with the demands of the job. A certain level of physical fitness, as daily hoovering is part of the role. An interest in history, literature and working in a historic environment would be an advantage.

Application Process

Abbotsford - The Home of Sir Walter Scott

https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/about/vacancies/house-heritage-assistant-

For more details of the role, please download the .

https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/files/1747994583_4e9fb6cecabf22420c54.pdf

To apply, please download and complete the Application form.

https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/files/1626261504_9ed027227c14ef23ed79.docx

Candidates are asked to send the completed document, and if they wish an additional CV, to

vacancies@scottsabbotsford.co.uk.

Closing date for applications is 9am Thursday 5th June 2025, and expected interview date is

Friday 13th June

.

The Abbotsford Trust is a registered Charity (Charity No SCO37425)

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 22,932.00 per year

Expected hours: 14 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Free parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/06/2025
Reference ID: House Heritage Assistant