Information about work at Chatsworth

Chatsworth employs both permanent and seasonal employees.

Permanent employment
All departments employ permanent staff in a wide range of full and part time positions.

Seasonal employment
Most departments offer seasonal employment. Our season commences at the beginning of March until a few days before Christmas. We endeavour to be as flexible as possible and these positions vary in hours and days of work from full to part time. However most positions involve working part of the weekend. We also offer short term seasonal work to cover for busy periods including Easter, high summer and Christmas, again full or part time. We are pleased to say that many of our seasonal employees return year after year.

Departments and jobs
The Chatsworth Estate houses a number of departments requiring many different skills from the specialist to general semi skilled and unskilled positions. Below are listed our main departments with a brief summary of the types of positions available.

Retail department
Working in the Retail shops (gifts) or Farm Shop (food). Hours range from full to part time working from one day per week to five full or part days, most positions involve working at least one weekend day. Both permanent and seasonal positions are available.

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Catering department
The Catering Department employ a wide range of skills from trained Chefs to general Assistants. Most positions in the Catering department are seasonal excepting the Chef and Management positions, again, working hours and days are flexible and we offer a wide range of options. Positions usually involve working one day at the weekend.

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Gardens department
The Gardens department cares for the spectacular Pleasure Gardens surrounding Chatsworth House, and has a large team of gardeners. We normally recruit skilled gardeners possessing a degree or higher certificate/NVQ in horticulture. Most positions are full time, however, we do offer occasional part time work.

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Domain
This department looks after the parkland surrounding Chatsworth House. Usually applicants have a love of the outdoors and some experience of working on the land, we provide in house training. This is a small department which has few vacancies.

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Fisheries
This is a small department and vacancies are rare. These are skilled positions and generally applicants are experienced in fish management. We do, however, very occasional offer a trainee position. Applicants must have a strong interest in fish and fishing.

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Game
Again this is a small department and vacancies are rare. Applicants should have experience and a keen interest in game management as well as an interest in working outdoors.

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Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House employs people in a wide variety of trades, below are listed just a few:-

Electricians – Joiners – Plumbers
Specific trade qualifications are required. We also offer occasional apprenticeships.

Wardens and guides
These positions are based at Chatsworth House and are usually part time and seasonal. Applicants should have an interest in historical houses and be able to address the public.

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Maintenance and Domestic Workers
These are usually permanent positions involving a large variety of work from cleaning and preserving fine antiques to general vacuuming, toilet cleaning and external maintenance work. Applicants do not require qualifications but a respect of fine objects and willingness to undertake a variety of tasks is essential.

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Secretarial and Administration positions
These positions vary dependent on the requirements of the departments. Most of this type of role will require specific secretarial and admin qualifications and experience.

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Marketing and Promotions
This again is a small department which receives a large amount of requests for work experience. Applicants would need specific qualifications and experience.

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Needle work and textile refurbishment
The sewing rooms maintain Chatsworth's fine soft furnishings and tapestries as well as creating new items where required. These positions require persons highly skilled in needlecraft. Volunteers are taken in tapestry preservation.

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Art Historians and Librarians
The Devonshire Collection houses one of Europe’s finest collection of treasures. This is a small department and most of its employees are highly skilled art historians or librarians. Occasional volunteers are taken with a keen interest in a particular area.

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Farmyard and Adventure Playground assistants
Chatsworth Farmyard offers some permanent places but most vacancies are for seasonal employment. The positions involve both working with the animals and supervising in the playground. Applicants should have some experience of animal husbandry and be comfortable working with large animals. All posts involve speaking to the public. As these positions involve working with children applicants must agree to a criminal record check.

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Farmhands and shepherds
Chatsworth Farm recruits experienced farmhands and shepherds although vacancies are rare. The Farm also recruits applicants for lambing which is usually a three week period in March/April. Experience is preferred but is not essential as training will be given. Preference is given to farming or veterinary students to assist with their work experience.

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Gymnasium and swimming pool staff
Chatsworth has a small gymnasium and swimming pool. All staff are qualified both in gymnasium supervision and lifeguard duties. Positions are both full and part time.

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Foresters
The Forestry is a small department and positions are highly skilled.

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Estate office staff
The Estate office acts as the centre of the Estate housing various roles including accounts, surveying, personnel, general office, agent's and deputy agent's office, retail office and health and safety. Experience is usually necessary together with the relevant qualifications for the position.

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Work experience
We offer work experience in most departments. Availability within each department is agreed at the beginning of each year. Interested students should contact the Personnel Department in the first instance. Applicants are required to complete a work experience application form and to attend a selection interview. We endeavour to provide work experience to a wide range of people but the high demand for our places means we have to disappoint some people.

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