Specialist Craftsperson

About the company

What it's like to work here You’ll be part of the Trust’s Specialist Delivery Team: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. Park Farm is one of the Trust’s Specialist Crafts Centres, a fully equipped joinery workshop in West Wycombe serving National Trust places across London and the South East. We are a small team of experienced joiners and apprentices. The work is varied and technically demanding: box sash windows, panelled doors, entrance gates, staircases and garden furniture for historic houses, castles and gardens in the Trust’s care. One week you may be setting out a curved sash from a rod, the next surveying or fitting at a property. This is a workshop-based role. Your contractual place of work will be Park Farm, with regular travel to National Trust places to survey, remove and install joinery. This can be discussed further at interview stages. What you'll be doing As part of our specialist conservation team, you'll use your craftsmanship and technical skills to create and repair high-quality joinery for some of the National Trust's most treasured places. Working from initial drawings through to finished pieces, you'll make bespoke joinery using a range of hand tools and workshop machinery, helping to care for historic buildings and ensure they can be enjoyed for years to come.

Your tasks

Summary We’re looking for a bench joiner in the early part of their career, already qualified and with solid workshop experience behind them, to join the Specialist Craft Team at Park Farm. You’ll make and conserve joinery for some of the most historically significant buildings in the country, working alongside master craftspeople who will help you take your skills further than most workshops can.

A key part of the role will involve conserving and repairing historic joinery, carefully retaining as much original material as possible while creating sympathetic repairs that blend seamlessly with existing features. You'll assess the most appropriate repair methods, supported by experienced colleagues, and contribute your expertise to the long-term care of our properties.

You'll also support the planning and delivery of projects by preparing cutting lists and material requirements, carrying out site surveys, and removing or installing joinery across our places. Whether working in the workshop or on site, you'll maintain high standards of safety, keeping accurate records of work completed, materials used and time spent on projects.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, apprentices and volunteers, you'll help share skills and knowledge, contributing to a positive and supportive learning environment. Through your work, you'll play an important role in protecting traditional craft skills and preserving our shared heritage for future generations.

Requirements

Who we're looking for You’ll be a trained bench joiner with a few years of good experience, ready for more demanding work. You don’t need decades behind you. You do need sound skills, care for accuracy and a real wish to become expert in traditional and conservation joinery.

• An advanced craft qualification in bench joinery (City and Guilds or NVQ Level 3) or equivalent experience
• Proven bench skills and safe, competent use of woodworking machinery

• Some experience of repairing old buildings or working in a heritage setting, and an appetite to learn much more
• A Gold CSCS card, or willingness to gain one

• Up-to-date health and safety knowledge and the confidence to make decisions on site
• Good written and verbal communication, and basic IT skills for records and paperwork

• A First Aid at Work certificate, or willingness to gain one
• A current full UK driving licence

What we offer

•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

•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.

•Free parking at most Trust places Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

Other

Working pattern for this role is Monday-Thursday 8-4.30 and Friday 8-1.30, weekend and bank holiday working is not required.

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.