Description Starting salary: £27,740 pro rata, per year Contract type: Fixed Term Grade: 1 Location: Dumfries Depot Working Hours: Full time – annualised Interviews: To be held in person on Week Commencing 20th April 2026 Thank you for your interest in the post of Apprentice Stonemason with Historic Environment Scotland that will be based at Dumfries Monument Conservation Unit depot. This is a 4 year fixed term appointment. While open to all applicants, we would welcome applications from school leavers and young persons. We will be holding an Open Day at MacLellan’s Castle on Tuesday 31st March where some of our stonemasons will be giving demonstrations and talking about their roles. Come along to learn more about being an apprentice stonemason at Historic Environment Scotland. For more information contact southrecruitment@HES.scot or call 01315567472. During your apprenticeship you will split your time between attending college and gaining hands-on experience at our sites. You will learn how to carve and shape stone, build stone and tamp and point masonry with mortar. This experience will set the foundation for a rewarding career in the trade. For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description 20260318_Apprentice Stonemason_Dumfries-291.pdf for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser. Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) 11.5 public holidays Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions Support for further education and personal development Study leave for work related courses Flexible working hours (where appropriate) Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests) Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties Key Responsibilities of this role Learning the trade of stonemasonry will involve producing templates and moulds, dressing, and building stone, setting out stonemasonry structures, repairs to stonemasonry structures and general routine maintenance of Historic Environment Scotland properties in care. You will learn about the trade of stonemasonry on projects at Historic Environment Scotland sites or on work placements with contractors undertaking stonemasonry/conservation projects. You will be required to obtain SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Stonemasonry via college studies and successfully complete the CITB stonemasonry skills test. You will be required to maintain a record of your studies and achievements throughout your apprenticeship. You may also be required to successfully complete additional training on subjects such as erecting mobile scaffolding, care, and maintenance of powered respirators, use of abrasive wheels etc. You will be required to work to high standards in the work you produce and in a safe manner always ensuring your own safety and that of your colleagues. Key requirements of the role: In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses: 1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland 2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Essential Criteria: A basic understanding of what building conservation means. A basic understanding of what a stonemason’s works activities are. Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description 20260318_Apprentice Stonemason_Dumfries-291.pdf. We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers. Due to funding eligibility requirements attached to Stonemason apprenticeship programme, we are unfortunately unable to consider applicants who are currently on a UK Visa. We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team. Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post. To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.