Circular Economy Trainee

Starting salary: £27,740
Contract type: Fixed Term for 12 months
Grade: 1
Location: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH (with hybrid working)
Working Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (Flexible arrangements can be considered)
Interviews: To be held on week commencing 20 July 2026

You will support the delivery of the organisation’s Climate Action Strategy and Circular Economy Plan, working as part of the Climate Change team on live projects, partnerships and engagement activity. You will gain skills in applying circular economy principles across operations, tourism and reuse initiatives, while building practical experience in collaboration, engagement and climate action delivery.

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

• Contribute to the delivery of the Climate Action Strategy 2026-31.

• Support the development and implementation of the Circular Economy Plan 2027-31.

• Manage and promote the Warp It reuse portal, working with colleagues to increase participation and support reuse and recycling in line with organisational targets.

• Provide practical support to colleagues across teams and sites, and develop staff guidance and training materials.

• Contribute to collaborative work with specialist teams, including Responsible Tourism and Interpretation, to explore how circular economy principles can be applied in practice.

• Carry out research and data analysis supporting evidence-based decision making in the transition to circular economy business models.

• Support projects, events and partnerships that help embed circular economy principles into day-to-day organisational practice.

• Support engagement with external stakeholders from the heritage and tourism sectors, both nationally and internationally.

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.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrated interest in issues related to environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, waste reduction and circular practices, with an eagerness to learn how these apply in the heritage sector.

• Familiarity with relevant national policies and concepts.

• Ability to gather information, analyse and summarise findings, and identify key points.

• Experience in data interpretation.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as good interpersonal skills to produce concise, well-structured, and accurate updates, written and numerical work.

• Experience in behaviour change work and stakeholder engagement.

• Good organisational skills, and ability to plan and prioritise work on various projects.

• Proficiency in using MS Office applications, particularly Excel.

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.

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.