Expires soon Waddesdon Manor

Conservation Assistant Intern

  • Internship
  • Hampshire (Hampshire)

Job description

Overall Purpose of a Waddesdon Internship
An internship at Waddesdon will allow participation in some of the most exciting work in a nationally
and internationally renowned institution. This will in turn give interns a number of formal and informal
learning opportunities that will assist the recipients with their future careers.

Our aim is to ensure we open the doors of Waddesdon as wide as possible to the future curators,
conservators, visitor managers, archivists, gardeners, facilities managers, chefs, waiting staff,
stewards, cleaners, events managers, administrators and leaders we may need in the future.
As well as developing talent in our own staff we would also like to give recent graduates, or those
interested in working in a similar environment, an opportunity to learn first hand by working
alongside us in our daily activities.

The Collections Department
The Collection Department is responsible for the care and access, conservation, research and
interpretation of the contents of the House and the historic fabric of the building, the sculpture in the
Gardens and the historic paper and photographic archive. This includes an annual exhibition
programme and the management of a gallery at the Stables used for changing exhibitions and
contemporary art. It also includes the Windmill Hill Archive, the Image & Book Libraries and a Textile
Conservation Workshop.

The Steward Team is part of the department and comprises stewards and conservation assistants
and cleaners who are responsible for the day-to-day care and conservation of the collections,
including handling, moving, cleaning and setting up of the Collection ready for opening and the
public as well as preparing the House for Christmas and putting it to bed in the Winter. The team
also supports special events in the House and additional activities such as filming.

Main Responsibilities of the intern
 Provide general conservation cleaning and help in the support of this function including the
outdoor statuary.
 To be responsible for vacuuming and dusting of areas in the collection ready for opening to
the public and assist with setting blinds and lights
 To help the conservation assistants with Conservation in Action involving a deep clean of
certain rooms in the house in front of the public as well as behind the scenes cleaning once it
has been put to bed.
 Provide support to the team with any handling of works of art or changes to exhibitions.
 Provide support to the team for events in the collection, which may include special tours,
out-of-hours access, filming and photography or dealing with specialist groups and
individuals such as conservators and other consultants
 To gain familiarity with the conservation principles for management of the collections, and
understand the mechanisms for control of the environment, including light and RH (relative
humidity) monitoring.

Desired profile

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
 Interest in or knowledge of an area of art history, history, history of architecture or heritage
studies
 Evidence of good manual dexterity and/or manual handling
 Demonstrate an understanding of the kinds of conservation issues which might affect
historic houses and their collections
 Ability to work as part of a team
 Organised with a good attention to detail
 Willingness to engage with the public
 Willingness to work at height

Terms & Conditions
• 22.5 hours per week, over three days
• Shared accommodation provided on the Waddesdon Estate
• An allowance of £10 towards food or petrol costs for each day of activity. There may
be opportunities for paid employment in our other business areas that can run alongside
the internship.
• A Waddesdon staff card
• Must be able to commit to the full internship from January to May 2019

Make every future a success.
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