Assistant Archivist

Dublin City Council; Dublin; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public city council in Dublin is looking for an Assistant Archivist to manage archive services and promote public engagement. The successful candidate will need an honours degree and relevant postgraduate qualification. Responsibilities include overseeing operations, planning public programs, and ensuring access to archival materials. Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership and digital skills. This is an entry-level professional position offering opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Commitment to public engagement with archival holdings.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of archive services both strategically and operationally.
• Promote public engagement and improve access to archival collections.
• Plan and participate in public-facing programs and exhibitions.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Customer service

IT skills

Digital asset management

Flexibility

Education

Honours degree, level 8 on the National Framework for Qualifications

Post-graduate qualification in archives administration

Job description

The Role

The Assistant Archivist is an entry level professional management position reporting to the Senior Archivist. The role involves responsibility for managing resources, staff, programmes and archive services to the public and to Dublin City Council. The Assistant Archivist works collaboratively across teams to help deliver high-quality, innovative services to the public and to support the broader goals of Dublin City Council.

Ideal candidate

• Have the ability to lead, manage and supervise a team effectively;
• Have strong interpersonal communications, networking, and advocacy skills;
• Be flexible and innovative;
• Appreciate the changing environment in which Dublin City Council operates and be capable of adapting to change to deliver quality service to citizens;
• Comprehend the professional and management roles of Assistant Archivist and have a commitment to continuous professional development;
• Have a commitment to, and experience of, promoting public engagement with archival holdings, and history and heritage;
• Have excellent IT, web and digital skills and experience of using a wide range of technologies including digitisation;
• Have knowledge and experience of digital asset management systems and processes;
• Have knowledge and experience of providing excellent customer services and have a good understanding of the City Council’s Customer Charter;
• Have a clear understanding of the structures and functions of local government and a commitment to public service;
• Have knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and employee and their application in the workplace.

Qualifications

Character: Each candidate shall be of good character.

Health: Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Experience, etc.: Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:-

1. Hold an honours degree, level 8 on the National Framework for Qualifications and post-graduate qualification in archives administration from a recognised third-level institution;
2. Have good knowledge and awareness of Health & Safety Legislation and Regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace.

Duties

The duties of the postinclude, but are not limited to, the following:

• Working as part of a team to manage the delivery of archive services to the public and to Dublin City Council, both strategically and in day-to-day operations, in the reading room and through digital channels;
• Promoting public engagement with the City’s archival holdings, including animating the collections, improving public access, and supporting interest in Dublin’s history and heritage;
• Planning, organising, and participating in public-facing programmes, exhibitions, events, and activities;
• Building partnerships and networks that support service delivery and public engagement;
• Providing service analysis and reporting as required;
• Performing professional archival duties including surveying, processing, and listing of official and private collections;
• Taking responsibility, in co-operation with professional colleagues, for the custody, care, and access control of archive collections, in line with GDPR and professional standards;
• Managing performance and service delivery in line with agreed targets, plans, and policies;
• Participating in the digitisation of the City’s archival holdings and heritage collections;
• To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the City Council.

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the City Council.

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority and to

(a) The local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive, and

(b) To any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body. The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.