Building Tradesperson

Summary

Join the National Trust team at Stourhead, caring for the iconic Palladian house, world-famous landscape garden and wider estate. No two days are the same in this varied role.

You'll deliver high-quality plumbing (as your main trade) and general building works, including conservation repairs, maintenance and installations across heritage buildings and structures. You'll work safely, use resources efficiently, keep accurate records, collaborate with colleagues and volunteers, and share your skills with others. We're looking for someone with strong plumbing expertise plus solid general trade knowledge, ideally with an NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent), experience in a heritage or complex building setting, and a good understanding of conservation principles.

Salary: £27,612 per annum/ £14.16 per hour

Contract: Permanent

Hours/ working pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Role will likely be Monday to Friday working.

Interview: Wednesday 17th November 2026

What it's like to work here

Join the team at Stourhead, one of the National Trust's most iconic places. Set on the Wiltshire-Somerset border, the estate features a magnificent 18th-century Palladian house and a world-famous landscape garden with its celebrated lake, classical temples (including the Pantheon), grotto, and Alfred's Tower, all within a wider landscape of parkland, woodland and countryside.

Working here means caring for exceptional heritage buildings, structures and services so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. No two days are ever the same - you might be dealing with plumbing systems in the house or garden buildings one day, supporting conservation repairs or maintenance across the estate the next. You'll work in a beautiful setting alongside passionate colleagues, volunteers and specialists, playing a direct part in the long-term conservation and sustainability of this special place.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

What you'll be doing

As our Building Tradesperson, with plumbing as your main trade and strong general building skills, you will deliver high-quality conservation repairs, maintenance and installations across our heritage buildings, structures and services.

• Carry out skilled plumbing work alongside related general trades tasks, choosing appropriate materials, methods and techniques suited to a conservation setting.
• Deliver planned and reactive maintenance and repairs to a high standard, coordinating with site teams, building surveyors, facilities colleagues and specialist partners.
• Ensure all activities meet health and safety requirements through risk assessments, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Use materials, tools and your time efficiently while maintaining quality standards, minimising environmental impacts, and keeping equipment and the workplace in good condition.
• Develop work plans and specifications where needed, and keep accurate records of work, materials and costs to support planning, handover and our understanding of the buildings.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, contractors and external stakeholders, maintaining effective relationships.
• Share your specialist knowledge and experience through practical demonstration, helping to develop apprentices, volunteers and wider awareness of the vital role of trades in caring for our built estate.

You will have autonomy in organising your day-to-day work within agreed programmes, applying sound practical judgement to deliver work that meets the high technical and conservation standards of our buildings and structures.

Who we're looking for

• Experience in facilities, asset and maintenance management, supported by relevant qualifications or equivalent expertise.

• Knowledge of compliance, risk management, health and safety, environmental regulations and legislation.

• Experience developing and implementing risk assessments, safety procedures and emergency response arrangements.

• Understanding of building fabric, maintenance and conservation principles.

• Strategic and commercial acumen, including budget, contractor, procurement and supplier management.

• Experience leading high-performing teams and building effective stakeholder relationships.

We're looking for someone with strong plumbing expertise plus solid general trade knowledge, ideally with an NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent), experience in a heritage or complex building setting, and a good understanding of conservation principles.

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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)

• 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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.