Mill Assistant Dunster Castle

Job Description

Summary At Dunster Castle were looking for a Mill Assistant to help run our working watermill, which still produces flour today. If youd like to have a job thats really unique and provides an amazing experience to all our visitors, then this is the role for you! What its like to work here Milling flour has been a tradition at Dunster for over a thousand years. The first mention of milling at Dunster was recorded in the Doomsday book of 1068. The watermill in its current form dates back to 1765, with improvements to its machinery taking placein the late 19th Century. Today this rare example of a fully operational double overshot watermill still regularly produces flour. Set within the gardens at Dunster Castle, Dunster Working Watermill provides an important element of a visit to the castle.These days Dunster Castle welcomes around 210,000 people a year. Known for its stunning setting on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, its a place with great vibrancy and a host of things to discover and do. As well as the castle and watermill, theresan underground Victorian reservoir and acres of sub-tropical gardens. Its a growing place, with numbers increasing every year and class-leading results that youll want to help us maintain.The watermill is open most of the year and mills around 10 tonnes of flour annually. Just over 3 tonnes of muesli is mixed and packed on-site each year and other products such as porridge oats are also packed at the mill. We currently mill twice a week andon non-milling days youll find our volunteers running the waterwheels and engaging with visitors.For more information about our property please visit dunster-castle What youll be doing As Mill Assistant, youll be giving great customer service to our visitors whilst maintaining healthy stock levels of our mill-packed products including wholemeal flours, muesli and rolled oats. Youll be able to carry out emergency procedures and safetychecks, keep accurate production records and maintain high food hygiene standards. There will also be the machinery to maintain and repair as necessary in order to keep the wheels turning and the flour in production. Youll work with the Mill Manager to lookafter and develop our team of around 12 volunteers who help us to keep the mill operational.Youll be mainly based at the mill leading the milling operation and there will be occasions when youll need to be flexible with your hours; assisting with late night events and some weekend working is required. Youll be a key-holder for the watermillbut not part of the overnight primary security and fire response.With sales of mill products already in excess of £50k, youll be working proactively with the Mill and Retail Managers to maximise our opportunities. Your ability to see potential improvements in all aspects of mill operations will be a great asset to theteam.With new opportunities to improve the visitor experience at the watermill on the horizon, youll play an important role as part of the team who make change happen. Theres a lot to do but great satisfaction is to be gained (and fun to be had) along the way!Please also read the full role profile, extra information and the brochure attached to this advert. Who were looking for To be successful in this role youll need to have;

• A good knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and an interest in the history of milling
• Good team leadership, including coaching and motivational skills
• Good people and communication skills
• Previous experience of dealing with a diverse workload and working to time constraints
• An eye for detail
• Good practical and maintenance skills
• The ability to use own initiative as well as work as part of a team
• A good level of physical fitness, as the role includes manual handling

The package The National Trust has the motto For everyone, for ever at its heart. Were working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. Its important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audienceswe serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say were for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.Wherever youre from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from youand it doesnt matter if youre jam first, cream first, or even if you dont like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

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