Estates Operator
| Posting date: | 07 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £28,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 June 2026 |
| Location: | DL14 |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | The Auckland Project |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
The Auckland Project
At the heart of our sites is Auckland Palace, the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham and the historic seat of faith and power in the North of England. The experience across our sites is deeply linked to those two themes and are repeated throughout the Palace and its gardens, the Faith Museum and the Mining Art and Spanish Galleries. The collection of our venues, spaces and places invites conversations about belonging, faith, loss, sacrifice, community, love and creativity. We would like our visitors to explore and to discover things about our town, our country and their own lives. We want to create encounters – and need your help to do so.
The role purpose
The Estates Operative is responsible for carrying out a wide range of planned and reactive maintenance tasks across the historic estate. The role ensures that historic houses, estate buildings, parks, and gardens are maintained to a safe, functional, and high standard while respecting the historic and listed nature of the estate.
Key Responsibilities
General Maintenance
• Carry out day-to-day maintenance and minor repair works across historic houses, estate buildings, workshops, and visitor facilities.
• Undertake basic maintenance tasks including carpentry, painting and decorating, minor plumbing repairs, glazing, and simple electrical works (within competence).
• Respond promptly to reactive maintenance requests to minimise disruption to estate operations.
Historic Buildings & Conservation
• Carry out work in a manner appropriate to historic and listed buildings, following agreed conservation principles and guidance.
• Use suitable materials, tools, and techniques compatible with traditional construction.
• Identify building defects and report issues that may affect the long-term condition or integrity of historic assets.
Parks, Gardens & External Areas
• Assist with the maintenance of external features including paths, walls, fencing, gates, drainage, and estate furniture.
• Support grounds and gardening teams with basic external works as required.
• Ensure estate grounds and public areas remain safe, accessible, and well presented.
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Work in accordance with health and safety legislation, policies, and safe systems of work.
• Carry out basic task risk assessments and report hazards, accidents, or near misses.
• Safely use, inspect, and maintain tools, equipment, and plant.
Teamwork & Customer Service
• Work collaboratively with estates colleagues, conservation staff, contractors, and operational teams.
• Provide a professional, helpful, and courteous service to staff, tenants, and visitors.
• Assist with contractor access, site inductions, and supervision where required.
Person Specification
Essential
• Proven experience or qualifications in similar role.
• Minimum of 2 years’ Experience in a general maintenance, building maintenance, or estates role.
• Practical skills across several maintenance disciplines (e.g. carpentry, decorating, basic plumbing).
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, working in historic or listed buildings.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and adapt to changing demands.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements.
• Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
• Experience working on a historic estate, heritage site, or large rural property.
• Relevant trade qualifications or maintenance-related training.
• Knowledge of traditional building materials and conservation practices.
• PASMA, IPAF, or similar access equipment certification.
• First Aid qualification.
Personal Attributes
• Reliable, practical, and proactive.
• Respectful of historic environments and sensitive settings.
• Good attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional weekends or out-of-hours work.
Working Conditions
• This role is physically demanding.
• The role involves indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Manual handling and working at height will be required.
• Some work may need to be carried out outside of normal opening hours.
The Auckland Project focus
The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway.
Our visitor destination and community development programme broadly fits into three areas:
1. The social environment: we help individuals and communities by creating a sense of curiosity, hope and faith in themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for skills development and partnerships, building a year-round tourist market and supporting small creative industries to thrive
2. The natural environment: we protect, sustain and enhance the world around us
3. The built environment: we restore and enhance the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures and assets in our care.
By working with us, you are helping to ensure the town’s future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.
How to Apply
Apply for this role by downloading and completing an application form from https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/ and emailing this to recruitment@aucklandproject.org
Closing date: 22nd May 2026 at 12 noon
We are unable to accept CVs as application. We only accept a completed application form which can be found at https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/
If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the application process early.
At the heart of our sites is Auckland Palace, the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham and the historic seat of faith and power in the North of England. The experience across our sites is deeply linked to those two themes and are repeated throughout the Palace and its gardens, the Faith Museum and the Mining Art and Spanish Galleries. The collection of our venues, spaces and places invites conversations about belonging, faith, loss, sacrifice, community, love and creativity. We would like our visitors to explore and to discover things about our town, our country and their own lives. We want to create encounters – and need your help to do so.
The role purpose
The Estates Operative is responsible for carrying out a wide range of planned and reactive maintenance tasks across the historic estate. The role ensures that historic houses, estate buildings, parks, and gardens are maintained to a safe, functional, and high standard while respecting the historic and listed nature of the estate.
Key Responsibilities
General Maintenance
• Carry out day-to-day maintenance and minor repair works across historic houses, estate buildings, workshops, and visitor facilities.
• Undertake basic maintenance tasks including carpentry, painting and decorating, minor plumbing repairs, glazing, and simple electrical works (within competence).
• Respond promptly to reactive maintenance requests to minimise disruption to estate operations.
Historic Buildings & Conservation
• Carry out work in a manner appropriate to historic and listed buildings, following agreed conservation principles and guidance.
• Use suitable materials, tools, and techniques compatible with traditional construction.
• Identify building defects and report issues that may affect the long-term condition or integrity of historic assets.
Parks, Gardens & External Areas
• Assist with the maintenance of external features including paths, walls, fencing, gates, drainage, and estate furniture.
• Support grounds and gardening teams with basic external works as required.
• Ensure estate grounds and public areas remain safe, accessible, and well presented.
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Work in accordance with health and safety legislation, policies, and safe systems of work.
• Carry out basic task risk assessments and report hazards, accidents, or near misses.
• Safely use, inspect, and maintain tools, equipment, and plant.
Teamwork & Customer Service
• Work collaboratively with estates colleagues, conservation staff, contractors, and operational teams.
• Provide a professional, helpful, and courteous service to staff, tenants, and visitors.
• Assist with contractor access, site inductions, and supervision where required.
Person Specification
Essential
• Proven experience or qualifications in similar role.
• Minimum of 2 years’ Experience in a general maintenance, building maintenance, or estates role.
• Practical skills across several maintenance disciplines (e.g. carpentry, decorating, basic plumbing).
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, working in historic or listed buildings.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and adapt to changing demands.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements.
• Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
• Experience working on a historic estate, heritage site, or large rural property.
• Relevant trade qualifications or maintenance-related training.
• Knowledge of traditional building materials and conservation practices.
• PASMA, IPAF, or similar access equipment certification.
• First Aid qualification.
Personal Attributes
• Reliable, practical, and proactive.
• Respectful of historic environments and sensitive settings.
• Good attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional weekends or out-of-hours work.
Working Conditions
• This role is physically demanding.
• The role involves indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Manual handling and working at height will be required.
• Some work may need to be carried out outside of normal opening hours.
The Auckland Project focus
The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway.
Our visitor destination and community development programme broadly fits into three areas:
1. The social environment: we help individuals and communities by creating a sense of curiosity, hope and faith in themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for skills development and partnerships, building a year-round tourist market and supporting small creative industries to thrive
2. The natural environment: we protect, sustain and enhance the world around us
3. The built environment: we restore and enhance the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures and assets in our care.
By working with us, you are helping to ensure the town’s future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.
How to Apply
Apply for this role by downloading and completing an application form from https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/ and emailing this to recruitment@aucklandproject.org
Closing date: 22nd May 2026 at 12 noon
We are unable to accept CVs as application. We only accept a completed application form which can be found at https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/
If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the application process early.