Full Time

National Mining Museum Scotland (NMMS) is an independent charitable trust and the national body responsible for the preservation and interpretation of Scotland’s mining heritage. Based at the Category ‘A’ listed Lady Victoria Colliery, the museum cares for collections of national significance and provides a wide range of events, exhibitions, and education programmes. The site includes historic buildings, visitor facilities, commercial tenancies, and large outdoor areas requiring specialist conservation and estates management.

Job Purpose
The Estates and Compliance Manager will lead on the maintenance, safety, and development of the museum’s estate and technical functions, ensuring that NMMS operates to the highest standards of safety, sustainability, presentation, and conservation. The role will manage property, facilities, security, health & safety, environmental management, and capital works, as well as support events and visitor services to ensure an excellent visitor experience.

The postholder will be responsible for delivering statutory compliance, safeguarding historic fabric, managing contractors, supporting museum staff and volunteers, and planning preventative maintenance to secure the long-term sustainability of the museum.

Key Responsibilities
1. Property, Estates, and Maintenance
• Develop and deliver a proactive estates management and maintenance plan, including preventative maintenance.
• Oversee all site infrastructure, including buildings, utilities, grounds, green spaces, and specialist heritage assets.
• Manage external contractors and service providers, ensuring value for money, quality, and compliance and minimal disruption to our visitor offer.
• Undertake regular inspections of estate facilities and infrastructure, addressing issues promptly.
• Oversee security arrangements, including CCTV, alarms, key holding, out-of-hours cover and the locking up of the site at close of play of the day/evening.
2. Health, Safety, and Compliance
• Lead on compliance with all statutory health & safety, fire safety, and environmental obligations.
• Conduct risk assessments, safety audits, and ensure robust record-keeping.
• Act as lead officer for emergency response planning, including evacuation, accidents, and first aid.
• Ensure compliance with asbestos management, safe working at height, and contractor safety.
• Deliver training and awareness sessions for staff and volunteers in line with legislation and best practice.
3. Technical and Conservation Support
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Curatorial Team to ensure conservation standards are met across the historic estate and within exhibitions.
• Provide technical support for collections movement, installations, and exhibitions.
• Support large-scale projects (capital development, refurbishments, new installations) from planning through to completion.
• Liaise with statutory bodies (Historic Environment Scotland, Midlothian Council) to ensure legal and heritage compliance.
4. Event and Visitor Support
• Provide technical and estates support for public and private events, including set-up, late-night working, and safety oversight.
• Ensure high standards of presentation across all facilities to enhance the visitor experience.
• Work closely with the Visitor Services Team to provide a safe, welcoming environment for events, functions, and venue hire.
5. Team and Volunteer Management
• Line-manage Technical Assistant and Cleaning Staff, setting objectives and monitoring performance.
• Support and coordinate technical/estates volunteers and contractors, ensuring safe and effective contribution.
• Build strong cross-team working relationships with Visitor Services, Education, Events, and Curatorial teams.
We expect candidates to already hold IOSH Managing Safely (or NEBOSH General Certificate) and Asbestos Awareness (Category A), and to be able to evidence recent Fire Warden and basic First Aid training (or a commitment to complete these within the first 3 months). For candidates without some of the desirable qualifications, NMMS will support a development plan to achieve them within 6–12 months, with priority on BOHS P405 (asbestos management), Legionella Responsible Person, and CDM Client duties training

Would you like to work in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and in the largest National Nature Reserve in the UK ? We are looking for a Conservation Officer for Mar Lodge Estate. At almost 30,000ha it is the largest property owned by the National Trust for Scotland and ranges from the pristine arctic alpine habitat of the Cairngorm plateau down through the spectacular Caledonian pinewood to the floodplains of the river Dee. The estate is recognized as being at the forefront of upland land management and conservation in Scotland. The woodlands are expanding, the peatlands are being restored and the wildlife is flourishing.

Working at one of the most important sites for nature conservation in the UK, this exciting post plays a key role in ecological monitoring which underpins our practical land management and in communicating the pioneering work of the National Trust for Scotland.

JOB PURPOSE

Working within the Conservation Team, this Conservation Officer is central to delivering the development and implementation of the nature conservation strategy at Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve. Working across habitats including Caledonian pinewoods, blanket bog, and montane plateaux, and with species including Schedule 1 breeding birds, rare invertebrates and montane plants, this post supports the delivery of the estate’s diverse ecological monitoring programme. The Conservation Officer helps to deliver the scientific evidence which underpins the ongoing management of Mar Lodge Estate and ensures the estate’s reputation within the conservation sector. The Conservation Officer is also pivotal in delivering communication and advocacy work to showcase the pioneering nature conservation work underway at Mar Lodge, disseminating the ecological knowledge gathered on the estate, and promoting the nature conservation successes to a wide range of partners and stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support the Conservation Manager in ensuring delivery and reporting of the ecological monitoring programme for the estate required to determine whether the natural heritage conservation objectives of the Mar Lodge Estate management plan are being achieved.

• Assist in the delivery of technical conservation projects, often in partnership with external stakeholders, to facilitate the successful recovery of habitats and species both on Mar Lodge Estate and more widely.

• Promote the Trust’s work at Mar Lodge Estate both internally and to external stakeholders through the publication of scientific papers and articles, the delivery of presentations, radio and TV interviews and social media.

• Lead on the management the collection, storage and dissemination of biological records ensuring they are incorporated into NTS, regional and national recording programmes.

• Lead on the internal NTS carbon reporting for Mar Lodge Estate.

• Developing ecological volunteering opportunities including engaging with minority group and manage volunteer groups when on site.

• Play a key role in the development and implementation of the Estate’s Management Plan, using scientific knowledge and highly developed communication skills to communicate the estate’s objectives and ambitions.

• Working with the stalking team, contribute to the delivery of the estate’s deer management through either monitoring and, potentially, active participation in deer stalking activities

• Working with the visitor services team, contribute to the development of the wildlife and management related interpretive material on the estate.

• Working with the visitor services team develop an annual events programme to offer visitors unique opportunities to visit the estate and learn about the management work to conserve the natural and cultural heritage.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Essential
 Relevant degree in ecology or related subject.
 Driving license, valid for driving within the UK.

Desirable
• Qualification in identification of upland species and/or NVC surveying.
 Current first aid certification.
 Mountain leader, carbon certification

Experience

Essential
 Significant knowledge and experience of upland land management.
 Demonstrable, significant practical experience in surveying or biological monitoring in upland areas.
 Highly developed skills in identification of a wide range of upland plants and animals.
 Experience of managing volunteers.
 Highly developed communication skills. Persuasive written and oral communication skills grounded in scientific knowledge and ability.
 Competence in MS software and ability to write scientific reports.
 Ability to work unaided in remote mountain environments in all weather
 Practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within these processes.

Desirable
 Familiarity and experience of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage and current upland conservation issues.
 Schedule 1 bird monitoring experience.
 Experience of disseminating information in a variety of forms to diverse audiences, including scientific papers.
 GIS and recorder software experience.
 Practical deer management experience.
 Experience of the effects of grazing on upland vegetation, especially by deer and of tree establishment in the uplands.
 Social media experience in a business context.
 Experience with carbon accounting and reporting, and carbon emissions reduction activities
 Experience with community engagement activities

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change.

Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team – we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities from boating, paddling, walking and wheeling to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities. We also work collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland.

As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to safeguarding our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Property Maintenance Technician to join our Estates & Placemaking team. This role will be based in the Caledonian Canal region due to the requirements of job, with a flexible base of Inverness/Fort Augustus/Corpach areas being the most suitable locations. You will support the Estates Team in delivering a comprehensive maintenance and repair service across the entire Scottish Canals network, working in and around a diverse range of properties including residential, operational and commercial buildings as well as top rated visitor attractions.

The role is offered on a permanent basis, and with a starting salary of £30,069 (Band C) plus £850 Outdoor Working Allowance. Working hours 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days, plus 10 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.

Primary responsibilities of the role:

Support the Facilities Manager to deliver a comprehensive Planned Maintenance Programme in relation to property related works across the Scottish Canals Estate
Support the Facilities Manager and wider business by delivering a robust reactive maintenance service across all areas of the Scottish Canals Estate, carrying out property and building related repairs as well as undertaking minor installations and upgrades where required
Provide support to other Scottish Canals teams where required, in managing Estates Properties and associated Property equipment and infrastructure to required standards

Qualifications and knowledge required:

Property/Building trade City & Guilds qualification or NVQ Level V (HNC) In Construction Practice
Certification in PAT, PASMA & MEWPs advantageous but not essential
Current Clean Driving Licence
Knowledge of traditional construction methods and materials, knowledge and understanding of layouts, drawings, and schematics
Awareness of current legislation and Compliance requirements relating to property, installations and maintenance
Familiarity of Property Planned Maintenance regimes, timescales, and scheduling
Understanding of Risk Assessment procedures and Point of Work permits and processes

Skills and experience required:

Previous experience of carrying out cyclical inspections, planned maintenance, minor project installations, fault finding, and reactive repairs
Previous experience of working in a diverse range of properties including Residential, Commercial, Leisure/Retail and Operational facilities
Experience of repairs and maintenance on buildings using traditional construction methods
Working within a fast-paced environment, to meet tight timescales
Working within a small team, with regular engagement with various departments and stakeholders
Lone working procedures
Basic First Aid
Skilled in the use IT equipment and associated systems – Laptop, tablet, mobile phone, email, CAFM/Asset management systems, certification/report writing

Qualities & abilities required:

Work planning/scheduling and excellent time management
Comfortable working within a team, and equally confident working on own initiative
Excellent communication skills to be able interact with a wide range of personalities and stakeholders across all business areas, including colleagues and front facing customers/public
Competence in the operation and maintenance of plant/tools and equipment used to fulfil the objectives of the role
Excellent problem solver with diligent fault-finding skills with ability to determine underlying causes of repeated electrical issues

Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.