Job Description

Job title: Assistant Curator of Plants


Salary: C3 GBP31,067- GBP32,654 pro rata

Hours: 18.5 hours per week

Contract: Fixed-term 2 years

Location: Leeds Discovery Centre


As the Assistant Curator of Plants at Leeds Museums and Galleries you thrive on improving access to the herbarium collection by delivering high quality collections care and community engagement.


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

As the Assistant Curator of Plants, you will bring to the role:


Ability to communicate with a wide range of people, individually and in groups. Experience of collections management, handling and documentation. Ability to use research methods and techniques. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and develop excellent working relationships, including with partner organisations. A clear understanding of audience access and inclusion issues, particularly in relation to museums and their collections.

About the role

As our Assistant Curator of Plants, you work with our partners, Space2, an East Leeds social change charity, to deliver the exciting new project Dead Plants SocietyThis project aims to engage the local community with our fabulous and extensive herbarium collection which spans more than two centuries of Leeds environmental history.


The role is integral to the Collections & Programmes team within Leeds Museums and Galleries. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the service, Leeds City Council, external partners and communities to maximise the impact of our herbarium collection is an important aspect of the role.


Leeds Museums and Galleries is one of the largest local authority-run museum services in the country and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Dead Plant Society is funded by the Museums Association Esme Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund.

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

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance

for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Sarah Burhouse, Curator of Natural Science -

sarah.burhouse@leeds.gov.uk

or Clare Brown, Curator of Natural Science -

clare.brown@leeds.gov.uk

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 GBP38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job purpose

To assist in the development, care, documentation, display and interpretation of the plant collection. Facilitate access to these collections. Assist with volunteers, events and community activities related to the collections in accordance with the terms of the Museums Association Esme Fairbairn Collections Fund project Dead Plants Society

Responsibilities

To assist in the delivery of the Museums Association Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund Dead Plants Societyproject. The aim of this is to use the plant collection to engage with the people of East Leeds to better understand and interpret their botanical environment. To assist in the care, maintenance and preservation of the plant collections both on display and in storage. Working with the Registrar and Collections Manager, adhere to all agreed collections management standards and procedures. To input and maintain all necessary collections records both electronic and manual. Working with the Operations team and Registrars, be responsible for the security and care of material, particularly items on loan, ensuring all conditions are fully met. To courier collection loans where necessary. To assist learning and engagement staff with interpretation and learning projects including class and other group visits. Participate in setting up of exhibitions and displays including the hanging and placing of objects working with technicians, conservators and others as necessary.To supervise and assist the work of technicians as appropriate. Supervise project funded staff and volunteers and work with project partners. Participate in the briefing and training of staff, guides and volunteers. To research and write accessible texts for exhibitions, catalogues, marketing and other publications as appropriate. To assist in the preparation of grant applications. Work with the Commercial team to maximise the commercial and merchandising opportunities offered by the collections. Promote the positive image of the service at all times, work with Audience Development to advocate the value of the collections to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and the people of Leeds through lectures, community work, tours, displays, publications, loans and the web including responding to public, professional and academic enquiries and facilitating access to stored collections and records. Collaborate with colleagues across the service, provide cross-site support, participate in appropriate professional networks for self-development and represent the Service where appropriate. To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our customers. Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need. Carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work as required. To promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equality & Diversity policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities. To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Safeguarding policies for children and vulnerable adults. To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.

Qualifications

Educated to degree level, professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject or equivalent experience.

Essential requirements

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.


Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually or in groups, at all appropriate levels. Ability to develop excellent working relationships with colleagues, partner organisations and other Leeds City Council departments. Ability to work effectively as part of a team. Ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, maintaining effective working relationships. Ability to monitor and control resources. Experience of collections management. Experience of object handling in a museum environment. Ability to use database applications for collections management. Ability to use research methods and techniques. Experience of working in a museum, paid or voluntary. Clear understanding of audience access and inclusion issues, particularly in relation to museums and their collections. Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office. Knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety and Equalities legislation.

Essential behavioural & other characteristics

Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative. Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds Museums & Galleries. A flexible approach to working hours. 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. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies. Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies 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.