Archive Assistant CMB2181e

Cumbria; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

A local archive service in the United Kingdom seeks an enthusiastic individual for the role of Archives Assistant. The position, based at the Whitehaven Archive Centre, involves providing public access to historical collections, overseeing search rooms, and engaging in various outreach activities. This part-time role offers the chance to work in a dynamic environment supporting the preservation of Cumbria's written heritage. Tasks include cataloguing, answering enquiries, and engaging with the community through events.

Qualifications

• Interest in the history of Cumbria and its people and places.
• Ability to deal with the public and provide advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to the public about collections.
• Supervise the public search rooms.
• Engage in promotional activities.

Skills

Good customer skills

Good written communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

Archives Assistant

Salary: £32,061 - £32,597 (Pro Rata)

Hours: 22 hours 12 minutes (3 days per week), Wednesdays–Fridays

Location: Cumbria Archive and Local Studies Centre, Whitehaven

Contract: Permanent

About This Opportunity

Cumbria Archive Service is looking for an enthusiastic individual to help us provide access to the written heritage of Cumbria at the Cumbria Archive and Local Studies Centre, Whitehaven. The role involves being part of the team at our Whitehaven Archive Centre which deals with public use of our priceless and unique historical collections. You will help the public engage with the documents in our custody in a number of ways and help support the preservation and management of our collections.

This is an opportunity for a varied and interesting post, working together with colleagues in a small team at Whitehaven and as part of the wider Cumbria Archives team looking after the historical records of Cumbria. The post is offered on a three days per week basis on Wednesdays to Fridays, in line with the opening hours of our Whitehaven Archive Centre.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing advice to the public about our collections.
• Answering enquiries face to face and responding to enquiries received by email and telephone.
• Supervising the public search rooms, including supervising volunteers.
• Collection management activities such as retrieving and returning records to and from the strongrooms, re‑boxing, re‑packaging and moving of collections.
• Cataloguing and indexing of collections under professional supervision.
• Engaging in supporting promotional and outreach activities such as school visits, talks and exhibitions, and social media posting.

Who We’re Looking For

• An interest in the history of Cumbria and its people and places.
• An ability to deal with the public, with good customer skills.
• Good written communication skills, with an ability to present a response in a clear, concise way.
• Able to work to deadlines and under pressure, and be part of a small team working together.

More Information

Further information about our services and our Whitehaven Archive Centre is available on the Cumbria Archives website at https://cumbriaarchives.org.uk/. If you would like an informal chat prior to your application, please contact: [e-mail].

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
• Those in care or who have left care are aged 24 and under.
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing [e-mail]. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview Information

• Closing date: 4th January 2025
• Interview date: TBC

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Supporting Information

• Post Specification

Further Resources

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council