Digital Documentation Trainee

Starting salary: £27,740
Contract type: Fixed term for 12 months
Grade: 1
Location: The Engine Shed, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held on Week Commencing 14 December 2026

The Digital Documentation Trainee position sits within the Digital Documentation & Innovation Team at Historic Environment Scotland. This is a training and development role for someone looking to start their career in the digital heritage and surveying sector which will build on basic knowledge and give opportunities to learn. All appropriate training and equipment will be provided. This role will be part of our wider Cultural Assets Traineeship Programme and there will be opportunities for group training and events, networking, mentoring and a group Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities.

As a successful Digital Documentation Trainee, you will work with the HES Digital Documentation & Innovation Team learning skills that will introduce you to 3D laser scanning, surveying, and 3D digital documentation of sites, buildings, and objects within the HES estate as part of the Rae Project in partnership with heritage organisations and research bodies.

You will work closely with our colleagues in the Conservation and Policy Department at NTS, working on a collaborative digital project at the Hill House. This role will allow you to practice skills whilst taking ownership of a contained 3D digital documentation project from start to finish. You will also assist with the development of a digital documentation strategy.

This post offers hands-on experience in the capture, management, registration, processing, and dissemination of 3D digital datasets within a live project environment. You will contribute to the development of a professionally robust portfolio aligned with recognised accreditation standards through direct involvement in the ongoing digital documentation work at the Hill House, Helensburgh.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description 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

• To be an active member of the HES Digital Documentation & Innovation team in the office and in the field.
• Prepare datasets using 3D software (e.g., Leica Register 360, Reality Scan, Blender, etc.) as and when required.
• Participate on live projects at HES and NTS, including opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across other departments, such as BIM, whilst building a professional network and feeding into the development of a national NTS Digital Documentation strategy.
• Contribute to outreach events in both HES and NTS.
• Take ownership of contained Digital Documentation case study, spanning planning and data capture, to innovative outputs at the Hill House.
• Develop a portfolio aligned with formal recognition of professional competence in digital documentation.
• Build proficiency in six core technical competencies through participation in team activity, including remote sensing and photogrammetry, measurement, surveying and mapping, engineering surveying, GIS, and data management.
• Demonstrate non-technical general business skills through competencies such as client care, communication, health and safety and sustainability, among others.
• Undertake at least 48 hours of CPD with ongoing engagement in industry development, standards and best practice.

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 relevant qualification in digital heritage, survey archaeology, or related field (SCQF Level 10 or equivalent).

• A strong interest, and desire to professionally develop in the following areas: accurate 3D data capture, 3D modelling or visualisation, survey, digital heritage.

• Excellent computer literacy.

• Basic knowledge of the various applications of 3D assets to the heritage sector.

• An interest in heritage conservation.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description.

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.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.