Job Description
November 2013
Role: Housekeeper
Business Function: Properties & Visitor Services
Reports to: Collections Care Officer (Newhailes Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band A, £14,031(pro
& Edinburgh Properties)
rata)
Location: Gladstone’s Land, 477b Lawnmarket, Type of Contract: Permanent, part-time (20
Edinburgh EH1 2NT
hours per week)
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.
KEY PURPOSE
To maximise visitor enjoyment in the property by providing an efficient and effective service through high
standards of conservation-housekeeping, based on the needs of the property and its collections.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Housekeeper is responsible for a wide variety of duties in connection with the care of the property. These
duties involve the correct handling and conservation-cleaning of the collections, following best-practice at all
times, and general housekeeping duties throughout the property.
Specific duties include:
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Best-practice conservation-cleaning of the collections (furniture, metals, ceramics, glass, works of art,
textiles, rugs, books, and other artifacts), using property-specific cleaning plans and approved and
recommended methods, materials and equipment
Conducting a deep conservation-clean of collections & property pre/post-season opening and setting
up/putting property to bed pre/post season opening
Monitoring the condition of the collections, both through routine, informal checking and formal record
keeping (e.g. pest damage, Accidental Damage Reports). Any concerns, damage or loss should be reported
immediately to the Property/Duty Manager and the Collections Care Officer
Contributing to the NTS Integrated Pest Management strategy & facilitating required treatments
General cleaning of surfaces (e.g. window-sills, dado rails, skirting boards, doors, stairs, etc.), the
vacuuming/cleaning of floors as appropriate and cleaning the Office, Gallery, Gift Shop, Volunteers’ Room,
staff toilets, basement areas, entrances to the house and other areas as required
Supported by the Property/Duty Manager, ensuring sufficient stocks of janitorial supplies/materials
Supported by the Collections Care Officer, ensuring sufficient stocks of conservation cleaning
materials/equipment
Undertaking a variety of training e.g. the Trust’s annual Collections Care training programme to ensure
the highest level of conservation cleaning and collections care is adhered to at the property
Ensuring Safe Systems of Work is implemented effectively within function and with external contractors.
The current duties of this job do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.
SCOPE OF JOB
People Management
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Not a line-manager. Supported by the Collections Care Officer, will give direction to collection care
volunteers and student placements at the property. Ability to communicate with and take direction from
the Property/Duty Manager on a daily basis and to work closely with other property colleagues. Will also
have occasional interaction with contractors and other technical/specialist advisory colleagues based in
other locations and departments.
Finance Management
 Not a budget-holder.
Tools/equipment
 Will be a frequent user of conservation cleaning materials and equipment which must be maintained in
good, working order. The postholder is required to attend the Trust’s annual Collections Care training
programme and any other relevant training opportunities to maintain and improve their technical skills
and knowledge.
REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either
knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential
 Personal commitment to excellence in visitor experience;
 Personal commitment to high standards of conservation-cleaning;
 Attentive to detail, with an eye for condition, presentation, and finish;
 Must have an appreciation of the importance and fragility of the collections at Gladstone’s Land;
 Must have a genuine understanding of, and belief in, the work of the National Trust for Scotland;
 Awareness and understanding of security requirements such as alarm usage;
 Ability to work alone safely in the property at certain times;
 This is a physical job, which will normally include use of stepladders, working at heights, lifting, fetching
and carrying objects, going up and down steep stairs. Please note that Gladstone’s Land is a tenement
building, spread over 6 floors, with stone turnpike (spiral) staircases. There is no lift.
Desirable
 Previous housekeeping experience in a Historic House, Museum, etc.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required 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 6 January 2014. Interviews are likely
to be held in Edinburgh during the w/c 13 January 2014.
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