Assistant Archivist

Liverpool John Moores University; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS)

Excellent annual leave

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Liverpool John Moores University is seeking an Archivist to support the Special Collections and Archives service, managing documentation, collection care and access to unique materials in Liverpool. You will develop records, supervise staff and volunteers, and provide specialist sessions for staff and students while liaising with academic colleagues and external partners.

The post requires a professional qualification in Archives and Records Management, strong planning and IT skills, knowledge

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Archives and Records Management or equivalent.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for delivering the SCA's Collection Documentation and Collection Care and Conservation plans.
• Create and manage records relating to depositors, accessions, locations, insurance, preservation, and conservation activities using CALM and Microsoft Office.
• Sort, appraise and catalogue archive material to archival standards.
• Identify items suitable for digitisation considering preservation, data protection and copyright.
• Undertake scanning of archive items to criteria balancing preservation needs.
• Oversee staff, volunteers or interns in SCA documentation and collection care.
• Deliver specialist sessions for staff and students.
• Engage with stakeholders and represent the University at external meetings.

Skills

Archival planning

Written and oral communication

IT literacy

Education

Postgraduate Archives/Records Management qualification

Professional qualification in Archives and Records Management

Tools

CALM cataloguing software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University Library provides a range of services to support the student experience, teaching & learning, research & scholarship and civic & global engagement at LJMU and delivers an outstanding level of service recognised by Customer Service Excellence®. The Special Collections and Archives service (SCA) manages the Library's unique and distinctive collections, ensuring they are documented, preserved, and made accessible for learning, teaching, research, inspiration and enjoyment. Collection strengths include the performing and visual arts in Liverpool from the late 1700s - present day, and pop and counterculture in the UK from the late 1900s - present day. A key collection is the archive of the Unity Theatre Liverpool.

• Take responsibility for delivering the SCA's Collection Documentation and Collection Care and Conservation plans.,
• Create and manage records relating to depositors, accessions, locations, insurance, preservation, and conservation activities using Microsoft Office and CALM cataloguing software.
• Sort, appraise and catalogue archive material to recognised archival standards using Microsoft Office and CALM cataloguing software.
• Identify suitable archive items for digitisation taking into consideration preservation requirements, data protection legislation, and copyright legislation.
• Undertake scanning of archive items to agreed criteria, taking into consideration preservation requirements of the original materials.
• Repackage archive materials to improve their accessibility and long‑term preservation.
• Supervise any staff, volunteers or student interns associated with SCA documentation and collection care activities.
• Deliver specialist sessions for staff and students in Schools and Faculties.
• Manage stakeholder engagement through liaison with academic and professional services staff and by representing the University at meetings with external specialists and other stakeholders as related to SCA documentation and collection care work.
• Actively contribute to the development of project plans, delivering agreed project objectives, and ensuring agreed timescales are met.
• Provide regular status reports in relation to documentation and collection care activities to the LJMU Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, ensuring these areas of work are fully documented, including the collation and evaluation of statistics and feedback.
• Maintain current awareness of activities in the archives field to contribute to the project.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade as deemed necessary by the Director of Knowledge Engagement.
• A commitment to LJMU's values and regulations and Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
• Commitment to adhere to and promote the ethos of Respect Always as set out in the Respect Always Charter.
• Liverpool John Moores University recognises and is aware of its Social, Economic and Environmental responsibilities. The post holder is required to minimise the environmental impact in the performance of the role, contribute to (and supervise if applicable) the implementation of environmental improvement measures and actively contribute to the delivery of LJMU's Environmental Management, Energy Management and Sustainability Policy Statement, and the Climate and Sustainability Plan.
• The post-holder's mandatory Health and Safety responsibilities, which have been agreed by the University's Executive Leadership Team, are contained in Section 2 of the University's Safety Management Code of Practice (MCP1) Organisation for the Implementation of the Health and Safety Policy. The post-holder's mandatory Environmental Management responsibilities are contained in Section 2 of the University's Environmental Management Code of Practice (ECP1) Organisation for the Implementation of the Environmental Management and Sustainability Policy.
• For some of your activity, from time to time, you may be required to contribute to externally funded projects such as research or EU projects.

Person Specification

You will hold a professional qualification in Archives and Records Management or equivalent and have experience of supporting a Special Collections or Archives service. You will have excellent planning and organisational skills, written and oral communication skills, and be a confident user of IT applications., The person specification describes the skills, experience, knowledge and aptitude requiredto perform the duties of this post effectively. The criteria order listed should not be taken to imply their relative importance. Both paid and unpaid experience may be relevant., A recognised postgraduate professional qualification in A, I Archives/Records Management or equivalent professional experience Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional A, I development in relevant areas Experience of cataloguing archive material using automated A, I cataloguing software Experience of working to agreed timescales, delivering agreed outputs A, I to specified deadlines Excellent oral and written communication skills A, I Excellent organisation skills A, I Able to work well on your own with a minimum of supervision and as A, I part of a team Knowledge of current archival standards, copyright legislation and A, I GDPR legislation Knowledge of preservation and packaging requirements for archival A, I materials Ability to work as an active member of the Special Collections and A, I Archives team to deliver a forward thinking, inclusive and user-focused service Able to develop and maintain excellent collaborative working A, I relationships with colleagues and stakeholders Desirable Factors Evidence Experience in the digitisation of archival materials A, I Experience of supervising volunteers or internship placements A, I Experience of using CALM cataloguing software A, I

Financial benefits

Competitive salaries based on a low contractual 35 hour working week. 17.5% employer contributions to pensions for non-academic staff enrolled into Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). 28.68% employer contribution to pensions for teaching staff enrolled into the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). Work life balance: Excellent annual leave provision. 30 days for support staff and 35 days for staff and senior managers grade 8 and above. 8 UK bank holidays and up to 5 University closure days between Christmas and New Year. Family friendly policies and a range of benefits to support including job-shares, flexible working hours and part‑time roles where possible. Health and wellbeing: Regular wellbeing support initiatives throughout the year. Access to a trained counsellor via Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Plus a programme of activities and range of support and resources to help look after your mental and physical wellbeing. Career Benefits: Continuous development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and meet your career ambitions, including LinkedIn Learning. Making a difference: LJMU Climate Action - be at the forefront of initiatives to tackle climate change. Share experiences and challenge unfair practices with our Diversity and Inclusion Staff Networks. Opportunity to volunteer at graduation ceremonies, clearing and open days. Discounts and other benefits: A reward and benefits platform, giving savings on day-today purchases across a range of retail outlets. Interest free loans repayable across twelve monthly instalments, including loans for annual travel season tickets and cycle to work scheme. Massively discounted gym and fitness classes at the University Sport Building.