RECRUITING REFERENCE: HSC/15/193,195 & 196
Please quote this number whencontacting HR
Closing Date
31ST JULY 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
APPRENTICE STONEMASONS (3 POSTS) – 16-25 AGE RANGE (OPEN TO ANYONE AGED 15 OR OVER AS LONG AS THEY HAVE REACHED THE SCOTTISH STATUTORY MINIMUM SCHOOL LEAVING AGE)
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Thank you for enquiring about the above posts of Apprentice Stonemasons with Historic Scotland/RCAHMS based at Forth Valley College, Stirling. These are4 year fixed term and pensionable appointments. Completed applications should be received by Friday, 31st July 2015. The successful candidates will be expected to take up post towards the end of September 2015.
Background
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs announced in May 2013 that Historic Scotland (HS) and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) will come together to create a new Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) called Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which will deliver a more resilient, sustainable and effective heritage organisation, streamlining and improving our functions to support the historic environment sector and those who use it to understand, value and protect this rich resource.
HES will begin its work on 1 October 2015 and it will play a leading role in the delivering the Historic Environment Strategy benefiting from the unique skills, experience, knowledge and expertise of staff of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS.
1. OVERVIEW OF THE POST
The apprentices will be based full-time at Forth Valley College, Stirling for the first year of their apprenticeship, with years 2-4 spent on stonemasonry projects working alongside experienced craftpersons.
2. INFORMATION ABOUT UNIT/TEAM
The Conservation Group Traditional Skills & Materials team currently consists of two stonemasonry training teams located at Forth Valley College, Stirling and Elgin Conservation Centre, Elgin.
The teams consist of a Training Manager and a Craft Skills Training Officer based at each location, with responsibility for delivery of stonemasonry at Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3.
3. SCOPE OF DUTIES
To learn the trade of Stonemasonry. This will involve producing templates and moulds, dressing stone, building stone, setting out stonemasonry structures, repairs to stonemasonry structures and general routine maintenance of Historic Scotland properties in care.
The successful candidates will be based at Forth Valley College for the first year of their apprenticeship, in years 2-4 they will learn about the trade of stonemasonry on projects at Historic Scotland sites or on placements with Contractors undertaking stonemasonry/conservation projects.
4. STAFF/OTHER RESOURCES TO BE MANAGED
N/A
5. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Obtain SVQ levels 2 and 3 in stonemasonry, Construction Skills Certification Scheme trainee card and other workrelated qualifications ie. erecting zip-up scaffolding, care and maintenance of powered respirators etc.
6. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
(See Person Specification below.)
7. APPLICATION
You can apply on-line by visiting Historic Scotland’s website at and your application should arrive by Friday, 31st July 2015. Alternatively your completed application form and equal opportunities form can be sent by email to by post to Mary Stewart, Argyll’s Lodging, Castle Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1EG to arrive by Friday, 31st July 2015.
In the Competencies section of the application form you are asked to provide evidence to demonstrate how you meet the Competencies for this post. The Competencies are listed in the Person Specification below.
In the Other Criteria section of the application form you should also provide evidence to demonstrate how you meet any other essential criteria and desirable criteria shown on the Person Specification below.
Disabled applicants (and serving Civil Servants on Redeployment Registers) who fully meet the minimum criteria (minimum are all the essential criteria listed below) will be invited to interview.
Non-disabled applicants who fully meet all the criteria listed below (both essential and desirable) will be invited for interview.
Applications are especially welcome from those who have Gaelic language skills.
The selection of candidates for interview and arrangements for the selection board will be made as soon as possible after the closing date. A late application may be accepted but no guarantees can be given.
Human Resources
Historic Scotland/ RCAHMS
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Ref Nos. / HSC/15/193,195,196Job Title / APPRENTICE STONEMASONs (Age 16-25)
Salary/Pay Range / Starting salary £11,110
Pay range £11,110 - £15,665
Division / CONSERVATION DIRECTORATE
Location / forth valley college, STIRLING
Line Manager / CHARLES JONES
Perm/Temp
Full/Part-time / fixed term full time hours
Closing Date / FRIDAY, 31ST JULY 2015
JOB CRITERIA
Applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview under the Guaranteed Job Interview Scheme provided they meet ALL the Essential criteria listed below for the post. / Essential / Desirable
1. Competencies
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Delivering excellent Service – Demonstrating a commitment to quality services.
- Teamwork - Contributing to and supporting working together.
- Planning and Organising - Putting plans and resources in place to achieve results.
- Communication - Communicating appropriately and clearly.
- Knowledge & Expertise - Applying and developing knowledge and expertise to achieve results.
YES
YES
YES
YES
Knowledge and Expertise
Basic understanding of the meaning of Conservation.
Basic understanding of what a stonemason’s work activities are. / YES
YES
2. Experience / Skills
Give an example of a situation which demonstrates that you can competently use hand tools.
Give an example of any work experience you may have been involved in that can be applied to the post on offer. / YES
YES
3. Civil Service Entry Qualifications
2 x Standard at grade 3 or above in:-
- English and a Numeric subject (or equivalent) OR
- Crafts / Design / Technical subjects (or similar) whichshows skills in executing a practical task.
HR Interim joint job description DEC 2013