Industry News

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is looking for enthusiastic, reliable and passionate people to join the team as it prepares for an exciting year ahead.

The County Durham open air museum has announced a number of exciting new job opportunities including in The 1900s Town, The 1900s Pit Village, 1950s Town, Transport Team, Cleaning Team and Food Team.

As a 1900s Town Engager, you could be working in the Co-op, the houses of Ravensworth Terrace or the garage, engaging with the museum’s visitors, or you may be in one of the retail spaces such as Jubilee Confectioners or The 1900s Town stalls.

Apply to be a 1950s Town Engager and you could work in one of the museum’s 1950s exhibits such as Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s, the police houses, or The Grand cinema which is due to open later this year, sharing stories and offering visitors the opportunity to be involved in activities.

Become a Mining Life Engager and you could be engaging with visitors and school groups in the chapel, school, pit cottages or delivering tours in the drift mine.

Hop aboard a traditional bus or tram as a Bus and Tramway Engager. You will get to travel in style while transporting visitors around the museum on the fleet of historic vehicles as a driver or conductor.

As a Steam and Railway Engager, you could be working on The Waggonway, Colliery Railway or at Rowley Station, as well as other areas within the Transport Team.

Travel between the 1820s and 1950s as a Cleaner. You will ensure the museum and its facilities are spick and span for all our visitors to enjoy.

Join the Beamish Museum team as a Food and Beverage Assistant where you will be engaging with visitors, cash handling, serving and preparing food and drink, cleaning and replenishing stock. This is a very fast-paced role and involves working in catering outlets across the museum including the Tea Rooms, Coffee Shop and the two fish and chip shops.

Those interested in applying for one of the roles are invited to a Recruitment Fair being held in the museum’s Entrance Coffee Shop on Tuesday, 16^th January 2024, drop in between 2pm and 7pm (please note, the rest of the museum will be closed on that day due to winter opening hours).

The Recruitment Fair will allow those interested in vacancies at Beamish to find out more about working at the award-winning museum and what the various roles will involve.

Michelle Suddes, People and Culture Manager at Beamish Museum, said: “We’re looking for a number of seasonal recruits to join the Beamish Museum team as we prepare for our high season. The year ahead is set to be a very exciting one at the museum with several new exhibits, including our recreation of The Grand cinema, due to open later this year.

“Whether you would like to work in our 1900s Town, join the Food Team or help us keep the museum clean and tidy, our Recruitment Fair on Tuesday, 16th January will be a great opportunity to meet staff from the museum and ask any questions you might have about working at Beamish. Alternatively, more information about each of the roles can be found on the museum’s website.”

As well as taking on an exciting and varied role, successful candidates will work within a beautiful and unique location on a 350-acre site that represents the diverse histories and heritage of the region alongside a team of 400 staff and 400 volunteers. Other benefits include a Beamish staff pass which allows free entry for the employee and three other people, a discount on catering and retail, access to an Employee Assistance Programme and a contributory pension scheme.

Founded in 1970, Beamish, The Living Museum of the North tells the story of life in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s and holds important collections which preserve the social, industrial and agricultural heritage of the region. All current vacancies are listed on the museum’s website.