Oral History Coordinator

The Cooke E-Learning Foundation; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational organization in East Midlands is seeking an Oral History Coordinator to manage the delivery of an oral history project. You will develop work plans, train volunteers, and ensure compliance with ethical standards while capturing community stories. The ideal candidate has experience in oral history projects and excellent interpersonal skills. This role is vital for preserving local heritage.

Qualifications

• Experience with oral history project delivery.
• Familiarity with ethical and archival standards.
• Ability to communicate sensitively with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement oral history workplan.
• Recruit and train local volunteers.
• Schedule and facilitate oral history interviews.

Skills

Experience delivering oral history or community storytelling projects

Knowledge of oral history ethics, recording techniques, and archival standards

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Proficiency in audio editing software

Experience working with volunteers

Understanding of data protection and informed consent

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated Oral History Coordinator to lead the delivery of the oral history component of Castle Hill at 40: Celebrating Community, Heritage, and Inclusion. The role involves managing the full process of collecting, editing, and archiving oral histories, and ensuring compliance with ethical and archival standards. The coordinator will work with volunteers, local historians, and community participants to capture the voices and memories of residents connected to Castle Hill Country Park.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an oral history workplan aligned with project objectives and timelines.
• Recruit and train local volunteers in oral history recording techniques, ethics, and interviewing skills.
• Identify and liaise with interviewees including long‑term residents, former council workers, youth workers, and local historians.
• Schedule, facilitate, and support the recording of oral history interviews in accessible and appropriate formats.
• Oversee audio editing and ensure accurate transcriptions are produced for all interviews.
• Ensure all recordings are properly catalogued, stored, and transferred to long‑term archival partners (e.g. EMOHA), following Oral History Society best practice and GDPR requirements.
• Work closely with the Digital Content Creator to integrate oral histories into podcasts, digital trails, and exhibitions.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience delivering oral history or community storytelling projects.
• Knowledge of oral history ethics, recording techniques, and archival standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work sensitively with diverse groups.
• Proficiency in audio editing software and basic transcription tools.
• Experience working with volunteers and managing community‑facing activity.
• Understanding of data protection and informed consent in oral history work.