Looking for meaningful work, with the freedom to pursue other passions over winter?
This is your opportunity to support our hospitality & catering team during our busiest and most rewarding months.
Our permanent seasonal contract gives you the best of both worlds – a chance to make a difference during our core season, with the security of knowing you can return to the team each year.
You’ll work an average 37.5 hours per week during the core season only (normally February to November) each year.
Weekly hours will vary across the year, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.
Salary equates to circa £12.71 per hour. The full-time equivalent salary is circa £24,785 per annum
Excellent benefits, including generous annual leave, life assurance and health & wellbeing support (full details below)
Accommodation available during the season if required
Make every season count
At the Field Studies Council we promise to get people outdoors, provide high quality learning and encourage positive wellbeing. We’re all about creating outdoor learning experiences and opportunities that inspire everyone to be curious, knowledgeable, passionate and caring about the environment.
In this role, you’ll help us create a warm, welcoming environment for the schools and groups who stay with us, by ensuring our spaces are clean, comfortable, and welcoming for every visitor.
Your attention to detail will help create safe, relaxing environments where learners of all ages can focus, feel at home, and fully immerse themselves in the natural world.
What you’ll be doing
Cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, and communal areas
Preparing rooms for guests, including making beds, providing towels, and restocking tea/coffee facilities
Ensuring public areas, such as corridors and classrooms are neat, tidy, and well-presented
Setting up the dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service
Working in the kitchen, assisting with food preparation
Serving food to our visitors
Further info regarding the full responsibilities can be found in the vacancy pack attached to the advert on our careers website.
Where you’ll be based
Blencathra is set in the northern Lake District, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The centre offers a unique working environment, with the outdoors right on the doorstep and stunning views in every direction.
Working at Blencathra means being part of a friendly, close-knit team supporting school groups who visit for science and geography field studies, as well as other visitors throughout the year. It’s a welcoming place to work, with the chance to be part of the local community while enjoying everything this beautiful part of the Lake District has to offer.
We ask that you have:
A positive, can-do attitude
Ability to work independently and with others
Good customer service skills
Flexibility and willingness to support different areas of the centre
Your benefits whilst working with us will include:
28 days annual holiday entitlement + bank holidays + extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary
Health and Wellbeing Support App for you and eligible family members to access remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physio, financial & legal support
24hr Counselling Helpline Service
Cycle to work and EV schemes
Discounts and cashback opportunities
Flexible working options where roles permit
Quality learning and development opportunities
Sound like the role for you? Come and be part of the team! We look forward to your application.
If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Mary Willis (Lead Housekeeper) on 017687 79601.
The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 11.59pm on 6 September 2026
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council Blencathra in the week commencing 14 September 2026
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
We want to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.
As an Investors in People charity, we realise that to achieve our vision we need diverse teams of staff who have a wide range of skills, a real passion for the work of the charity and pride in their role within it. No matter what role you perform at the Field Studies Council, everyone can make a difference and every role is vital to delivering our mission and vision…if this inspires you, we would love to hear from you.
