Job Description

Archive Officer

Lloyd's Register Foundation

Location: London

About the Role:

We are seeking someone with experience in heritage looking for an opportunity to work with mixed collections. The successful candidate will assist with the updating, review and maintenance of the Heritage Centre's collection databases and systems, covering a mixed collection of archives, library and museum objects. They will be based between the historic home of Lloyd's Register in a Grade IIlisted building in central London and an offsite storage facility in Woolwich.


The successful applicant will be chiefly responsible for assisting in the processing of uncatalogued heritage collections, focusing on the archival records of Lloyd's Register dating back to 1833 but also including library material, rare books, and heritage assets as part of a dual project to catalogue collections and implement a new collections management system and collections move. This will require recalling material stored across a variety of other sites, and occasionally visiting offsite storage. The role will provide pivotal assistance for archival appraisal and will also help to inform any/all secure disposal alongside preservation concerns.



The role will include the processing of new acquisitions into the archive, answering enquiries (both internal and external) supervision of onsite users to the archive, document production and return and other day-to-day archival responsibilities including environmental monitoring of the archive store and integrated pest management processes; identifying conservation needs and priorities for a mix of collections including bound material, photographs, paintings, silverware, and ship models. Alongside processing and cataloguing of archive material, the role will require the handling and cataloguing of rare books and special collections, with the possibility of training and development provided for this material.



The role will also support the engagement team by producing material outreach material in the form of blogs and podcasts, giving presentation and tours to visitors to the archive and creating posts for social media. The role will include working with and task managing volunteers or work placement students as part of small projects.



Additionally, successful applicants will assist with facilitating an orderly physical move of our archive and library collections from Woolwich Arsenal back to our purpose-built archive space in our historic building at 71 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. Also assisting with and providing input on the development of procedures and manuals for the reopening of the archive service.



Beyond this, there is a requirement for this role to assist in the smooth running of the archive reading room service, with the potential to assist the library's reading room service.



You should be able to work individually under your own initiative, as well as enjoying working as part of a larger team. You will be adaptable, well-motivated and enthusiastic, and will be able to organise your workload and prioritise tasks accordingly. The role will offer the opportunity for training and development, both for heritage related courses or other workplace training including but not limited to; conservation training and collection care, first aid training, excel training and Collection Management Systems training.

What we offer you

The opportunity to work for an organization that has a strong sense of purpose, is values driven and helps colleagues to develop professionally and personally through our range of people development programmes

The Role

Compile catalogue descriptions of large quantities of Archival material to ISAD (G) standard, in either Excel or within an Collections Management System. Keep up-to-date records of ongoing progress for monitoring purposes. Retrieval of archive and library material for onsite researchers and the supervision of researchers when handling and viewing material. In the reading room. Assisting when necessary with the provisioning of the library's reading room service. Assist with the periodical reviewing and updating of policies and manuals for the effective management and development of the archive service. Assisting with talks and presentations, both internally and externally Assist with the tracking, loading and monitoring of boxes of archive material and heritage assets being relocated from Woolwich Arsenal back to 71 Fenchurch Street. Recognise and flag materials that require conservation and conduct some preventive conservation work on heritage collections. Oversee routine pest checks, cleaning, environmental monitoring and general upkeep of archive store and report to the Archivist. Identify and flag material for appraisal, documenting any material for disposal. Oversee sorting, labelling and packaging under the direction of the Archivist. Report to the Archivist on progress and stick to predetermined targets.

What you bring

Applicants should have a relevant degree in Archives and Records Management or equivalent experience Experience of creating/compiling catalogues in a professional museum/archive/library environment using Excel and/or a purpose-built Archive Management System is essential Experience of facilitating and assisting with professional museum/archive/library relocations, e.g. monitoring item transfers, progress reporting, labelling, and general logistical support. Experience with collection handling and packing within a professional museum/archive/library collection environment. Understanding of data protection legislation and GDPR in an archive setting. An interest in archival science would be beneficial. Demonstrates a high level of understanding of archives and the heritage industry, as well as awareness of current issues. Task manage volunteers or work placement students when necessary


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