We're looking for a Crew Member to join the Team. The National Trust Steam Yacht Gondola is a rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht. Visitors enjoy the charm of luxury travel once experienced by wealthy Victorians, riding in style in Gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open-air decks as she glides across Coniston Water. It’s a unique opportunity to watch the gleaming steam engine in operation from the open viewing windows and quiz the boat’s engineer on its workings. Take in the spectacular scenery of the Coniston Fells and listen to the crew’s commentary on the area’s history and famous connections.

In sailing season (April-October) you will work 5 days a week, with 2 consecutive days off. When sailing, you will have to work 1 weekend day per week. Shifts start at 08:30, and end at 16:15 (low season) and 17:15 (high season). 

From November to March, you will work on maintenance 5 days a week, Monday- Friday, 08:30-16:30. 

This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year.

To do this role, you'll have to pass a basic Maritime & Coastguard Agency medical exam. 

Provisional interview date: Friday 16th May

You’ll be part of the South Lakes property team, and while you'll be based on Gondola there are opportunities to come together as a wider team through team days, and social events. You’ll be part of engaging and enthusing visitors not only about Gondola but through story telling about the landscape, local history, and literature (such as Swallows & Amazons). On Gondola you’ll be joining an experienced and supportive team who will ensure that full training is provided.

Gondola sits within the South Lakes Portfolio, which encompasses some of the Lake Districts most iconic landscapes. The Lake District was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 2017, with around 20 million visitors each year.

The portfolio includes 4000ha of land which is rich in nature and culture along with other key visitor touch points such as Wray Estate and Tarn Hows, and Beatrix Potters Hilltop. 

You'll join a small, friendly & professional team who will first train you as deck hand/purser, so that you can join the team on passenger services. This will be followed by training as engineer, then boatmaster. You’ll be offered full training and will take internal assessments for Purser & Engineer, and an external practical examination for boatmaster within 6 months. We will provide & fund all professional training. This is a role where you'll be hands on and take on all of the roles in rotation during the sailing season of April-October. You’ll be confident to actively engage with our guests to tell the history of the boat and the stories of the people, landscape and literature of the Coniston Valley though the commentary. In the winter, you'll work on shore to restore and maintain Gondola. This can be a range of works from cleaning & painting to more complex repair work, for which you will have training. There will be some administrative work such as operating the tills, and other office tasks.

To deliver this role successfully, you'll need: 

• an enthusiasm for understanding and sharing the story of Gondola, her people and her lake
• to be confident in communicating with all kinds of people
• to be confident working near deep water and working with the heat & pressure of a boiler
• to be a team-player with the ability to take charge when required
• the ability to assist passengers in case of emergency, to perform manual work such as loading fuel
• a willingness to gain marine, steam or maintenance skills with training provided by us

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 
• 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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.