Labourer - Orkney Depot chez Operations North MCU Highlands and Western Isles

Starting salary: £25,770
Contract type: Permanent
Grade: 1
Location: Orkney Depot
Working Hours: Monday - Friday (1932 hrs) 
Interviews: w/c 20th October 2025

Thank you for your interest in the post of Labourer with Historic Environment Scotland, based at the Orkney MCU Depot, Kirkwall, Orkney. This is a permanent and pensionable appointment. 

The successful applicant will join the Monument Conservation Unit and be responsible for conservation, routine maintenance, and presentation of Historic Environment Scotland monuments in the Orkney District.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description Orkney Labourer New JD.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

• Enrolment 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

• Mix lime and cement mortars; transport them as needed.
• Operate and maintain plant equipment and small tools.
• Assist stonemasons with semi-skilled tasks.
• Maintain Health & Safety standards for self, colleagues, and the public.
• Keep work areas clean and tidy.
• Perform grounds maintenance and turf repairs.
• Erect mobile tower scaffolds.
• Apply selective weed spraying.
• Work at heights and in confined spaces when required.
• Conduct all tasks considerately and courteously.
• Deliver equitable and effective services to all users.
• Transport MCU staff, equipment, and materials between sites in Orkney.
• Complete essential training, including Safe Use of Pesticides and PASMA courses.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

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 requirements:

• Demonstrates knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Exhibits effective hand-eye coordination.
• Holds a full driving licence.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description Orkney Labourer New JD.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 [email protected] 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’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.

*Due to site maintenance, please note that we are currently experiencing problems with issuing notification emails through our recruitment platform. If you have not received notification that your application has been received, please email [email protected]. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this.*