Historic Environment Scotland

Starting salary: 27,740
Contract type: Fixed Term for 2 years
Grade: 1
Location: Longmore House, Edinburgh with hybrid working available
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week 
Interviews: To be held in person at Longmore House on Week Commencing 7 September 2026

The post holder works within a team of five Business Service Support Assistants and is responsible for a range of administrative tasks that support the efficient running of the Directorate. The Heritage Directorate provides support for the sector by providing comments on statutory consultations in the planning system, maintaining accurate data records and improving the Historic record through recording and designating historic places. The post holder will be supported by a mentor to develop skills and experience to allow them to process information into our in-house workflow system, coordinating replies for general enquiries, and providing support to the directorate by arranging travel across Scotland, maintaining office and equipment supplies and many other ad hoc administrative tasks as required. As part of the apprenticeship the postholder will be required to undertake the Business Administration SCQF Level 6 qualification

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description 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

• Log consultations/applications and associated work and damage cases on the inhouse workflow system - the Heritage Management System;
• Handling central Heritage Directorate internal and external enquiries by telephone, e-mail and mail;
• Provide a central booking service for all car hires, accommodation, travel tickets, conferences, meeting rooms and refreshments; 
• Maintain the log and supplies of health and safety and other pool equipment;
• Monitor and replenish office consumables;
• Carry out financial transactions and purchasing for Directorate colleagues, e.g. using a corporate card or the in-house finance system - Fusion;
• Assist in testing system and website developments;
• Maintain desk instructions/guidance to ensure current practice is accurately reflected and understood; 
• Undertake general functions in support of the Heritage Information, Recording and Business Service, and the Heritage Directorate more generally;
• Assist Heritage Directorate colleagues with ad hoc tasks and projects as required. 

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 Criteria:

•  Good written skills with the ability to write in plain English
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to interact with a wide range of people.
• Good organisation and planning skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Good attention to detail/accuracy 
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description.

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 recruit@hes.scot 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.