Collections and Learning Officer

Colchester City Council; Colchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Colchester is seeking a Collections and Learning Officer for a fixed-term contract focused on the redevelopment of the Natural History Museum. The role includes leading community engagement projects, creating opportunities for interaction with museum collections, and ensuring safety and accessibility. Candidates should have a strong knowledge of natural science and excellent organizational skills. Benefits include flexible working, training opportunities, and a generous leave entitlement.

Benefits

Flexible working

Gym, travel and online retail discounts

Excellent training, development and progression opportunities

Attractive pension scheme

Qualifications

• A strong knowledge of natural science or natural history is essential.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills are required.
• Experience in heritage outreach and project work will be advantageous.
• You must have strong interpersonal skills and IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a public collections project, creating opportunities for engagement.
• Develop innovative ways to connect audiences with resources.
• Engage community groups and ensure safe environments.
• Provide timely project updates and celebrate achievements.

Skills

Strong knowledge of natural science or natural history

Planning and organizational skills

Understanding of health and safety and museum learning requirements

Interpersonal skills

IT skills

Experience in heritage outreach and project work

Ability to produce clear reports

Flexible working ability

Job description

Contract type: 18 Months Fixed Term Contract

Working Hours: 22.2 hours (3 days) per week

Colchester City Council is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible services to residents, visitors and businesses. They are a local government authority providing a diverse range of public and commercial services across Colchester, the second largest district in Essex.

The Council are seeking a Collections and Learning Officer, Natural Sciences, to support the exciting redevelopment of Colchester’s much-loved Natural History Museum. This role is funded by Art Fund’s Reimagine Grant.

Duties of the role

As an essential member of the Collections and Learning Team you will lead a brand-new public collections project: ‘Community Curators’, creating inspiring and inclusive opportunities for engagement with the Natural History Museum’s collections in the lead up to the museum’s redevelopment. You will develop innovative ways to connect audiences with our resources, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners. Responsibilities include delivering twice-weekly sessions, engaging community groups and SEND students, ensuring safe and accessible environments, and managing supporting materials and risk assessments. You will provide timely project updates, celebrate achievements through blogs and social media, and uphold data protection, safeguarding, and ethical standards while promoting strong relationships within the wider museum and cultural community.

Qualifications and skills required

To be successful in this role, you will have a strong knowledge of natural science or natural history, excellent planning and organisational skills, and an understanding of health and safety and museum learning requirements. You should be confident building relationships across the community and motivating volunteers, with experience in heritage outreach and project work. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, along with IT skills. The role requires the ability to produce clear reports, apply data protection principles, and work flexibly, including attending external meetings. Enthusiasm for community engagement and a collaborative approach are also highly valued.

What we offer

The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working
• Gym, travel and online retail discounts
• Excellent training, development and progression opportunities

For an informal discussion about this vacancy, please contact Ben Paites at [e-mail] and Sarah Emerson at [e-mail]