Casual Museum Assistant - Prestongrange Museum

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £13.48 - £14.33
Casual Recruitment.
Working on an 'as and when required' basis.
To start 31st March 2026.

Location being recruited to is the Prestongrange Museum.

We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, flexibility, great communication and organisational skills and a passion for delivering great customer service to join our team as a Casual Museum Assistant at Prestongrange Museum to help visitors get the most from their visit. Casual Museum Assistants support our seasonal and permanent staff to open and close the museum, welcome visitors, answer enquiries and make sure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe visit. They operate our shops, assist with school and other groups, activities, events and exhibitions. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday 11-4.30 with casual shifts running 10.45 to 4.45 with a 30 minute lunch break. Availability at weekends is beneficial.

Prestongrange Museum is located just outside Prestonpans in East Lothian. Prestongrange is a site of major importance in the story of Scotland's Industrial Revolution. It was the location of a sixteenth century harbour, a seventeenth century glass works, eighteenth and nineteenth century potteries and a nineteenth/twentieth century coal mine and brick works. Remnants of these former industries can still be seen, and many of the structures are still intact including the rare Hoffman Kiln built in 1937, the Cornish Beam Engine, unique in Scotland as it the only beam engine still on the site where it worked and the Engine Shed. The successful applicant will open and close the Visitor Centre, run the shop and café and take guided tours around the site (training will be provided). Casual Museum Assistants are also responsible for cleaning the Visitor Centre and Activity Room. In summer 2026 Casual Museum Assistants will also facilitate the use of a new Volunteer Base and Activity Room helping to book in, set up and clear up events.

Job Details

To assist in the delivery of Museum services across East Lothian, maximising efficiency of service delivery within specific standards and in accordance with the Council’s policies and plans with a commitment to achieve best value.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
A minimum of National 4 English/Maths or Literacy/Numeracy or Intermediate 1 Communication/Numeracy or SVQ1/Standard Grade General level English/Maths and/or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience.

PVG Membership
This post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.

All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.