Job Description
Role: CASTLE COLLECTIONS OFFICER,
BRODICK
Reports to: Property Manager, Brodick Estate
February 2013
Business: Properties and Visitor Services
Pay Band/Starting Salary: BAND D: £20,638
Location: Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park,
Type of Contract: Permanent / full-time
Isle of Arran, KA27 8HY
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.
Living accommodation may be available and the successful candidate would be expected to be on call at certain times
in case of emergencies.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Collections preserved in Brodick Castle are the most important collections owned by the National
Trust for Scotland and are shown in situ in the Historic Interiors of the Castle which were designed to
display them. Their importance comes from their being an important untouched component of the wider
Hamilton Collections the rest of which has been widely dispersed. This role will be responsible both for
the Conservation Care of the collections and helping to interpret the collection for the staff and volunteers
who meet and explain the collections to the visitors.
The main aspects of the role are to:
Ensure that best preventive conservation and housekeeping practices are followed
Lead the interpretation of Brodick Castle & its Collections at the property
Line manage the housekeepers and cleaners
Support the curating of the collection & the telling of the Brodick story
Share being on call in case of emergencies
Contribute as a Key Role in the Management of the Brodick Estate
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Key Purposes of the role will be met by:
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Ensuring that the presentation and care of the collections in the Castle are delivered to the highest
standards of conservation and visitor access and enjoyment expected by the Trust;
Organisation of the Housekeepers and cleaners;
Supporting the interpretation of the Castle & its Collections to the Guides and volunteers meeting the
public;
Being the local spokesperson on the History of the Collections;
Working closely alongside the Signature Project and its planning & implementation of the representation of the Castle Rooms & the display of the Collections;
Ensuring that an appropriate collections care regime for the Castle is implemented, including daily
maintenance housekeeping, and more intensive cleaning during the closed season is put in place;
Monitoring the condition of the collections to ensure that the highest standards of presentation are
maintained at all times. Regularly checking and reporting on the environmental monitoring data, and
liaising with central Collections Conservation Service;
Assisting with the administration of any remedial conservation of the collection;
Providing direction, practical advice and support as necessary to staff and volunteers regarding
collections care, and increasing their understanding of the collections and of collections care issues so
that they can be communicated effectively to the public through Room guides & Volunteers;
Undertaking any training or development as deemed necessary to fulfill the duties of the post;
Keeping accurate records of all collections care work;
Managing the day-to-day budget for collections care purchases at the property, including placing
purchase orders;
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Managing the routine cleaning and housekeeping of domestic and display areas of the Castle;
Being a Member of the Brodick Management Team.
The current duties of this job do require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out as
administered by Disclosure Scotland.
SCOPE OF ROLE
Financial Management:
 Responsible for managing the collections care and housekeeping budget;
 Supporting the Brodick Signature Project requirements as necessary.
People Management
 Brodick Castle Housekeepers and cleaners report to this role;
 The post holder will in addition, work closely with other property colleagues and will have significant
interaction with the Conservator West based at Greenbank House and other Collections Conservation
Services personnel based at Hermiston Quay together with Curatorial staff also based at Hermiston
Quay. They will also need to work closely with contractors working on site.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the job holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either
knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential:
 Businesslike approach to the management of Heritage assets;
 Genuine enthusiasm for the care and presentation of the nation’s heritage;
 Demonstrable experience of working in a historic environment;
 Experience of interpretation of Heritage assets;
 Good Communication skills;
 A Team player with good self motivation;
 Excellent inter-personal and motivational skills;
 Ability to multi-task and prioritise work;
 Sound demonstrable office/administrative skills, including computer literacy, e-mail, Microsoft word
and excel;
 Experience of working with volunteers;
 There are physical aspects to this job, which will normally include the use of ladders, stepladders,
working at heights, lifting, fetching and carrying objects.
Desirable
 A relevant formal qualification (e.g. a recognized qualification in Conservation Care or a qualification in
Museum and Gallery Studies, Heritage Management etc.);
 Experience as a key-holder or similar responsibilities and management of intruder or fire alarms;
 Experience of Project & event management;
 A formal valid first-aid qualification;
 A current driving license valid for driving in the UK.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge
reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with
appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be
reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department
(Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road
Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on
Friday, 1 March 2013. Interviews are likely to be held at Brodick Castle on Tuesday, 26 March 2013.