We are recruiting for a new Community Engagement Officer
Overview:
Salary: £27,600 per annum pro rata (£11,040)
Hours: 14 hours per week (0.4 FTE) 18 month contract, with possibility of renewal subject to securing funding
Location: Brook Rural Museum, Brook, Ashford, TN25 5PF
Reporting to: Trustees
Key relationships: Trustees, Conservation Officer, Volunteers
Annual leave: 20 days (pro rata)
Application Deadline: 4pm on Wednesday 25 February 2026
For full details and job description click here: application pack
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Are you interested in Brook Rural Museum’s rich farming and rural life history? Do you have a passion for museums and community engagement? If so, this could be the role for you.
Brook Rural Museum sits at the foot of the North Downs’ iconic Devil’s Kneading Trough and preserves over 700 years of history.
Housed in a magnificent 14th century grange barn and 19th century oast house, Brook Rural Museum collects and exhibits the agricultural and rural history of East Kent.
This is an exciting opportunity for a part-time Community Engagement Officer to take part in the next stage of the museum’s journey, following on from a lively and successful programme of activities over the last three years which was largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Your key role will be to build on this legacy in a way that encourages families and visitors to visit the museum during regular opening hours (with hands-on activities for children) as well as for special events, organizing the existing body of committed volunteers and recruiting new ones in a way that is both fulfilling for them and effective for the museum.
The role will suit someone who likes working with volunteers and young families and is a natural with social media. Prior experience of making grant applications and evaluating events would also be highly desirable.
The emphasis will be on building a “business as usual” sustainable model for the museum at the same time as it is planning to embark on a substantial capital programme of repairs and improvements; the appointee will not be required to deliver the latter as part of the current role but if successful it should make the museum an even livelier place than it is already.
You will be part of a small and committed team, working alongside the museum’s part-time conservation officer (14 hours a week) and curator (3 hours per week)
The museum resides in the village of Brook, 5 miles from Ashford, Kent.
For more information about the role, please contact John Nightingale at: admin@brookruralmuseum.org.uk
The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
For full details and job description click here: application pack
How to apply
- Please send a CV and covering letter outlining your interest in the post and relevant experience you would bring to the role
- Email these to: John Nightingale, admin@brookruralmuseum.org.uk with the subject line Job Application: Conservation and Collections Officer
- Deadline: 4pm on Wednesday 25th February 2026
The candidates who appear from their application to best meet the essential criteria will be invited to interview. It is therefore essential your cover letter provides a full, but concise description of the nature, extent and level of experience and responsibility you have held.
Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place in early March
