About the job

Job summary

The Conservator – Archive Materials is part of a team of conservation professionals responsible for the preservation of The National Archives’ physical collection through interventive and preventive means.

This role will be a fixed-term, six month contract with potential extension.

The aim of this role is to prolong the life of the collection while also maximising access to the archival records and enhancing the experience of our users. This is achieved through a combination of special projects and on-going programmes, taking the lead as required and working together with colleagues across the organisation as well as external visitors and stakeholders.

You will have an extensive knowledge of paper conservation practice, and a specialism in all aspects of archival collections, bringing excellent practical and research skills as well as an informed approach to delivery of conservation treatments in line with current conservation standards. Ongoing projects focus on, for example, the survey of limp parchment bindings, managing photographic material in archival collections, and modern materials in The National Archives’ BT design register series.

You will take a full role in the on-going development of collection care within The National Archives by actively engaging in data collecting, research, knowledge sharing, teaching and mentoring others, planning, organising and helping to deliver departmental projects and actively promoting the work of the department across The National Archives and to a wider professional community.

Some home working is available and applicants must be able to regularly travel to our Kew site.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

We would particularly like to encourage applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in archives, including those who identify as Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT+), from Black, Asian and minority ethnic cultural backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent, and those with hidden or visible disabilities.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).

Person specification

How to apply:

If you are an internal applicant: please do not use the link on this page. Please apply via your employee Workday account.

If you are an external applicant: to submit your application please click the 'Apply at advertiser's site' button on this page. 

You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria given below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section.

Essential criteria:

• A graduate from a recognised conservation or heritage science programme or appropriate work experience with a high standard of conservation knowledge, skill and practice beyond initial training with a demonstrable expertise in the conservation of paper and archive materials.
• Extensive knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards, the ability to identify research opportunities and to develop creative and innovative approaches to the care and conservation of large archival collections.
• Demonstrable skills in solving complex problems and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement.
• Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively and to build and lead a team able to deliver outcomes to an agreed standard and timetable.
• Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative, with strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills; the ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organisation and with a wide range of external customers.
• Proficiency with IT systems including MS office products.

Desirable criteria:

• PACR (Professional Accreditation of Conservators - Restorers) accredited membership of Icon or a willingness to pursue such accreditation
• Excellent IT and numeracy skills, and experience of managing complex data
• Excellent presentation skills
• Published professional papers

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,178, The National Archives contributes £8,418 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Reasonable adjustments:

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.