Starting salary: £28,620 pro rata, per year (pay award pending)

Contract type: Permanent

Grade: 2

Location: Arbroath Abbey Depot

Working Hours:

Summer (Apr to Sept) - Monday to Thursday 7 am to 4 pm, Friday 3.30 pm

Winter (Oct to Mar) - Monday to Thursday 8 am to 3.30 pm, Friday off

Interviews: To be held in person at Arbroath Abbey Depot on Week Commencing 23rd March

Thank you for your interest in the post of Painter with Historic Environment Scotland that will be based in Arbroath Abbey. This is a permanent position.

The Monument Conservation Unit (MCU) based in Arbroath is tasked with the responsibility for conservation, maintenance and presentation works at Arbroath Abbey, one of Historic Environment Scotland’s flagship monuments. You will assist with conservation and routine maintenance works to HES monuments in the Arbroath Depot area including Edzell Castle, Claypotts Castle and Meigle Museum.

Overview of the post and information about the team

The Monument Conservation Units (MCU) are based throughout Central Scotland and consist of stonemasons, joiners, painters, gardeners, labourers and apprentices of varying trades. The teams are headed by a Lead Craftsperson who have direct line management responsibilities for this team. As a Painter in our Arbroath Depot, you will have responsibility for the day to day painting and decoration works at Historic Environment Scotland monuments within your area which include Arbroath Abbey, Edzell Castle, Broughty Castle and Claypotts Castle.

You will be expected to work at any location as directed by the Lead Craftsperson within the depot area. Official transport is provided to and from the various sites within the Depot areas. Individuals are however expected to make their own way to the MCU Depot.

You will also be asked to travel using HES transport to other remote sites out with your depot area which may include overnight stays.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the job description 20260220_Arbroath Painter 2026.pdf for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

Enrollment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
Support for further education and personal development
Study leave for work related courses
Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

To carry out conservation and routine maintenance painting works to HES monuments in the Arbroath District area. This will involve a variety of different forms of traditional and non-traditional painting including:

To perform conservation and regular maintenance on HES monuments in the Arbroath area. This includes traditional painting upkeep at historic sites across the Central East District.
To work within the painting team to fulfill the painting work program within the East District and Central Region.
Provide training and mentorship for apprentices in traditional painting skills.
Comply with and promote HES Health and Safety Policy.
Throughout your employment with HES you will be required to attend training courses identified to assist the work, or to comply with health and safety legislation (this may require overnight stays away from home which will be expensed by HES.
Ensure an excellent customer experience by maintaining HES properties to a high standard.
Work as required with community stakeholders as part of HES outreach programmes, providing insight on your role and expertise.
Experienced in all aspects of painting and surface preparations. The job holder will be required to prepare and apply surface finishes to wood, metal, internal/external surfaces to a high level of finish and to work to agreed specifications.
Work collaboratively alongside other members of the MCU and Visitor & Community teams.
Provide training and mentoring for apprentice painters where applicable.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential:

City & Guilds or SCQF Level 6 or equivalent relevant work experience
Significant working experience as a Painter, including painting practices, techniques and traditional paint systems.
Health & Safety awareness relating to construction works
Full driving licence
Ability to work safely around fluctuating visitor numbers and event activities
Knowledge & experience of current conservation practices and techniques relating to historic buildings and monuments (lime washing)
Experience of having contributed to or supported working together as part of a group of people or a team.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our job description 20260220_Arbroath Painter 2026.pdf

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.

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