Hospitality & Catering Assistant
| Posting date: | 03 February 2026 |
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| Salary: | £12.21 to £12.96 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | Excellent Plus Benefits |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 16 February 2026 |
| Location: | East Bergholt, Colchester, Suffolk, CO7 6UL |
| Company: | Field Studies Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 1173943 |
Summary
Join our friendly hospitality team and help us create a welcoming atmosphere for our guests.
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Permanent part time seasonal contract – based on average 25 hours per week during the core season only (normally March to November) each year.
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Weekly hours will vary across the season, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.
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Salary equates to circa £12.21 per hour. The full-time equivalent salary is circa £23,810 per annum
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Excellent benefits – including life assurance and health and wellbeing support, see the full list below.
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Your new place of work is in a beautiful location, be surrounded by nature on your breaks.
Love where you work!
Established in 1943, our network of Learning Locations provides day and residential outdoor education courses for all ages. We aim to create outstanding opportunities for everyone to learn about nature.
We value each of our team members and understand that every role is vital to deliver our mission, so, we provide great benefits* to reward and support you while you work with us.
What you’ll be doing
As one of our Hospitality & Catering Assistants your duties will be varied, our centre is always busy, so we need team members that are happy to help wherever required.
You will be helping our housekeeping operations, with tasks such as cleaning and laundry. In addition to assisting our catering team with setting up the dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.
Other duties can include working in the kitchen assisting with food preparation and serving food to our visitors.
Our permanent seasonal contracts give you flexibility to follow other interests and pursuits over the winter months secure in the knowledge that you have a job to come back to.
Please refer to the vacancy pack for further details on the full responsibilities of the role.
Where you’ll be based
Flatford Mill sits at the end of a quiet lane in the Dedham Vale National Landscape, offering a rare sense of peace and escape. We accommodate up to 64 guests across 24 bedrooms in remarkable historic buildings, from the medieval great hall of Valley Farm to the Mill itself, once restored by the Constable family.
The site is surrounded by riverside paths, woodland, grassland and quiet picnic spots, all linked by gentle circular walks. It’s a tranquil, picturesque place to work, with nature all around you.
We ask that you have
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A great work ethic where aptitude and attitude are key
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A natural pride in the work you produce
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A flexible and adaptive approach able to perform using your own initiative both independently and as a team player
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A professional manner in all that you do
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An empathy with the aims and objectives of Field Studies Council
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A committed and proactive approach to personal development; motivated to learn new skills and overcome new challenges
Sound like the role for you? Come and be part of the team! We look forward to your application.
* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:
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Competitive salary
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Pro rata of 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
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Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
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Life assurance 5 x your actual salary
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Health and Wellbeing Support App
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Second opinions from top doctors
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24hr Counselling Helpline Service
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Cycle to work and EV schemes
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Reward programme with discounts and cashback opportunities
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Flexible working options where roles permit
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Quality learning and development opportunities
If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Ali Porter (Lead Housekeeper) on 01206 297110
Applications will be considered on arrival
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council Dale Fort
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme