Technical Assistant

Leeds International; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible and hybrid working

Career development

Staff benefits

Job summary

Leeds Museums and Galleries is recruiting a Permanent Technical Assistant to join its technical team at Leeds Art Gallery. The role provides administrative support for technical services, assists with handling and movement of collection objects, and supports the preparation of exhibitions and loans.

The post requires practical abilities in woodworking and safe handling, plus experience with finance systems and calendar management.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.
• Experience handling, packing and moving fragile, valuable, or historic objects.
• Experience with administration, finance systems and invoicing processes.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide admin support to update and maintain the technical work programme.
• Place orders and raise/receip invoices using financial systems.
• Organise maintenance schedule and workshop inspections.
• Book freelance technicians as required.
• Collate performance data and produce reports.
• Maintain the technical calendar.
• Assist with movement/handling of collection objects and artwork.
• Assist with display cases construction and movement, packaging and delivery of exhibits.
• Support preparation for loans and environmental monitoring.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Task prioritisation

Teamwork

Handling objects safely

Woodworking

Health and safety awareness

Office software

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Finance systems (ordering/invoicing)

Calendar management

Job description

Job title: Technical Assistant

Salary: B1 £26,016 – 26,847 (FTE). £22,325 – 23,038 (pro rota)

Hours: 31.45 hrs per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds Art Gallery. May require occasional working across all Leeds Museums and Galleries sites

An opportunity has arisen to join the Leeds Museums and Galleries technical team and this role will not only assist in the preparation and maintenance of exhibitions, displays, and events, and in the care, handling and conservation of the service’s amazing collections but will also provide effective and efficient technical administrative support to the team.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

• An ability to undertake a range of administrative tasks to organise and administer the technical maintenance schedule, workshop inspections and use relevant financial systems to place orders and raise and receipt invoices.
• An ability to carry out a range of technical tasks including woodworking (construction of temporary structures) and the construction of glazing, mounts and frames for different media works.
• An ability and experience of handling, packing and moving a range of fragile, complex, heavy, valuable and / or historic objects safely including using handling and lifting equipment.
• An ability to manage a range of tasks simultaneously and effectively prioritise.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).

About The Role

As the Technical Assistant, responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking a range of administrative tasks to organise and administer the technical maintenance schedule and workshop inspections.
• Using relevant financial systems to place orders and raise and receipt invoices.
• Assisting with the movement and handling of collection objects and artwork, along with the construction and movement of display cases.
• Assisting with the packaging, transportation and delivery of collection objects and artwork and exhibit related items as required.
• Assisting with the maintenance of interactive exhibits.

This role will work closely with other staff within the technical team and with wider colleagues within collections and programmes, operations and enterprise, learning and access and audience development.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To provide effective and efficient technical administrative support and assist in the delivery of technical provisions across Leeds Museum and Galleries (LMG) sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to update and maintain the technical work programme.
• Deliver a range of administrative support using relevant financial systems, including placing orders, raising and receipting invoices, processing petty cash and expense claims for technical services.
• Organise and administer the technical maintenance schedule, and regular workshop inspections.
• Book freelance technicians as required.
• Collate and record relevant performance management data and produce reports when required.
• Maintain the technical calendar.
• Assist with the movement and handling of collection objects and artwork.
• Assist with the construction and movement of display cases.
• Assist with the packaging, transportation and delivery of collection objects and artwork and exhibit related items as required. Use appropriate handling techniques.
• Work within agreed collections management standards and procedures.
• Assist with maintenance of interactive exhibits.
• Assist with preparation work for loans (in and out).
• Undertake environmental monitoring as required.
• Be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and visitors.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Essential criteria

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to manage a range of tasks simultaneously and effectively prioritise.
• Ability to work on own and use initiative, and to work within a team.
• Ability to handle objects and artwork carefully and safely.
• Ability to carry out a range of technical tasks including woodworking, and the use of hand and power tools.
• Ability to work at height.
• Experience in handling, packing and moving a range of fragile, complex, heavy, valuable and/or historic objects and artwork.
• Experience of booking systems and calendar management.
• Experience of financial processes, procedures and systems.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills and the ability to deal with complex tasks with support.
• Accuracy and a keen eye for detail.
• Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Knowledge of the requirements of Health and Safety legislation.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative.
• Commitment to own personal development and learning to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible approach to working hours.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in the work of Leeds Museums and Galleries.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Experience of working in the museum and heritage sector.
• Experience of using Leeds City Council finance systems.
• Experience of working with AV exhibits.