Service Assistant x 2
| Posting date: | 09 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £12.25 per hour |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 22 February 2026 |
| Location: | Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, TN17 2AB |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | National Trust |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | IRC171716 |
Summary
This role is all about giving everyone a warm and well-informed welcome as they arrive in a busy National Trust car park. The Service Assistant is there to make sure that people who might never have visited before can understand the layout of the place, and all that it has to offer them. From that first moment of a friendly greeting to the helpful sharing of practical information, you’ll be helping to give everyone an enjoyable and memorable day out.
As a Service Assistant based in our car park, you will be part of our experienced and friendly Welcome team of staff and volunteers at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. The car park is open seven days a week, a typical shift will be working on a three week rolling rota, which includes weekend and bank holiday working.
This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can’t guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible.
This role is available from 11 March to 1 November 2026.
For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a CV or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.
What it's like to work here
Sissinghurst is a world renown, highly personal garden planned by Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband Harold Nicolson, whose artistry was matched by their plant knowledge and who had an individual point of view. We welcome visitors from all over the world to enjoy the garden and our wider estate.
What you'll be doing
This is an outdoor role, and you'll need to be comfortable being outside in all weather conditions, meeting and greeting visitors as they arrive, helping to show them where to park to maximise our parking capacity. We also welcome many coaches with overseas visitors and you will greet the tour guides, helping them with the orientation of the site.
You will be taking car parking fees from non-members as well as checking membership cards of National Trust members who enjoy free parking as part of their membership.
You'll help to keep the car park and surrounding area neat and tidy, and you’ll be friendly and helpful to everyone you come across.
You’ll be responsible for answering all manner of questions and making sure visitors can find everything they need for their visit. When interacting with our customers, you’ll inform them of the amazing work we are doing and what their money is funding, promoting local projects or promoting our cause.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
well-organised and adaptable
willing to learn new skills.
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.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• 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.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
As a Service Assistant based in our car park, you will be part of our experienced and friendly Welcome team of staff and volunteers at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. The car park is open seven days a week, a typical shift will be working on a three week rolling rota, which includes weekend and bank holiday working.
This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can’t guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible.
This role is available from 11 March to 1 November 2026.
For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a CV or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.
What it's like to work here
Sissinghurst is a world renown, highly personal garden planned by Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband Harold Nicolson, whose artistry was matched by their plant knowledge and who had an individual point of view. We welcome visitors from all over the world to enjoy the garden and our wider estate.
What you'll be doing
This is an outdoor role, and you'll need to be comfortable being outside in all weather conditions, meeting and greeting visitors as they arrive, helping to show them where to park to maximise our parking capacity. We also welcome many coaches with overseas visitors and you will greet the tour guides, helping them with the orientation of the site.
You will be taking car parking fees from non-members as well as checking membership cards of National Trust members who enjoy free parking as part of their membership.
You'll help to keep the car park and surrounding area neat and tidy, and you’ll be friendly and helpful to everyone you come across.
You’ll be responsible for answering all manner of questions and making sure visitors can find everything they need for their visit. When interacting with our customers, you’ll inform them of the amazing work we are doing and what their money is funding, promoting local projects or promoting our cause.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
well-organised and adaptable
willing to learn new skills.
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.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• 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.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places