Estates Administrative Assistant or Trainee Estates Administrative Assistant

Job reference:

259824

Salary:

Band 3 (£29,103 - £31,409)

Job closing date:

29/09/2026

Job Type:

Administrative Services

Location:

The Balfour

Employment type:

Fixed-term

Hours Per Week:

22

Job posted date:

15/09/2026

Employer (NHS Board):

NHS Orkney

Department:

• Estates
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About the Organisation:

NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.

Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.

We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do – Open and honest, Respect and Kindness – from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.

About Orkney:

With over 70 islands – 20 of them inhabited – Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.

The Position:

The postholder will provide comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Estates Department, working under the direction of the Estates Maintenance Officer. The role is key to ensuring the efficient day-to-day running of the department, delivering a high standard of administrative assistance across a range of services. This includes supporting Estates functions as well as the Central Decontamination Unit (CDU), Medical Physics and Stores services.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across these areas to help maintain effective processes, coordinate activities and ensure services are delivered smoothly and efficiently.

The Candidate:

You should have experience working in an administrative environment and be educated to SVQ Level 3 in Administration, or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience. You will have strong organisational, communication and IT skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Training Opportunity:

We also welcome applications from individuals who do not yet hold an SVQ Level 3 qualification or have administrative experience, but who can demonstrate a good standard of general education, experience in a customer service environment, and a willingness to learn. Successful trainee applicants will be supported through on-the-job training to achieve an SVQ in Business and Administration, requiring approximately 2 to 4 hours of study per week, including around some self-directed learning at UHI Orkney on Thursday afternoons, to develop the knowledge and skills required for the role.

Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:

This post will be based at The Balfour

The successful candidate will work: Part Time 22 hours per week – Monday to Thursday 08.30 – 13.00 and Friday 08.00 - 12.30

This post is Fixed-Term for 12 months due to the substantive postholders return from maternity leave

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.

Benefits and Salary:

Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

The salary for this post is Band 3 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,719 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.

NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.

Further Information:

If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact ork.recruitment@nhs.scot

For further guidance on the recruitment process and tips for creating a strong application, please refer to our Candidate Application Pack.

To find out more about this opportunity please contact Teresa Marwick, Compliance Officer by email on teresa.marwick@nhs.scot

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.

NHS Orkney is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups of people currently underrepresented within the workforce. We are a committed participant in the Disability Confident Leader Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for our vacancies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.

Please note this advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.