About the job

Job summary

The UKHO Archive contains millions of hydrographic and navigational documents, dating from the 17th century through to the present day. It is one of the most complete maritime collections in the world. As a Place of Deposit under the Public Records Act, the archive service undertakes many functions, including provision of supervised research, expert advice, document preservation, a paid research service, outreach, exhibitions, cataloguing, records management, and a digitisation. Our collections include hand-drawn surveys, printed charts, coastal views, manuscripts, letters, aerial photography, copper printing plates, maps, and maritime publications.

This role will be responsible for the conservation and preservation of UKHO's archival, business and artefact material. Support the other Preservation Officer, in the job-share opportunity, and the Head of Archives to ensure that archival material is in a suitable condition for use by chart and defence branches in support of Defence work, the Marketing Team and external researchers.

To role holder will advise and carry out preservation and some aspects of conservation for archive and document management throughout UKHO. They will particpate in the delivery of the UKHO's disaster recovery training.

The role is initially a job share working 15 hours a week split over 2 days but there may be the opportunity for additional hours as required and the potential to increas to fulltime should a vacancy arise.

Hybrid working

It is expected that the individual will be in the office all days a week they are employed as it is an onsite role.

[Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working (arrangements available as agreed with the line manager) does not extend to working overseas].

Job description

• Conserve and preserve UKHO’s archival documents in need of conservation using techniques and materials to the latest approved standards. Prioritise documents for conservation and preservation in terms of level of damage, business need and customer needs. Including:
• Monitoring of the handling, storage and environmental conditions for archival documents, artefacts, and modern material across UKHO. Ensure that a condition log is maintained and that damage to documents and improper housing is addressed through appropriate processes.
• Ensuring procedures are adequately documented and followed to meet quality review audits, and for disaster recovery and business continuity purposes.
• Develop UKHO’s conservation expertise by development of relationships and partnerships with other conservators and organisations to build resilience for the conservation of the UKHO Archive.
• Work with the UKHO’s Head of Archive and other Preservation Officer to create and embed a UKHO Disaster Recovery Plan. To participate in an immediate response document salvage team.
• Train UKHO archival and other staff on preservation and document handling, and the fundamentals of conservation and preservation.
• Support the Archive counter team in document production as required.
• Support UKHO Archive visits by providing presentations to internal and external visitors that detail the Archive conservation and preservation work.

Person specification

• Archive/Library experience or knowledge
• Experience of conserving and preserving large format documents
• Communicating effectively
• Good team player
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Good knowledge of collections cataloguing software

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £11,975, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £3,233 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply:

Please complete a 250 word statement for each of the 4 Sift/Shortlist Criteria (see below) by clicking "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 30th January 2024
• Shortlisting: week commencing 5th February 2024
• Interviews: week commencing 12th February 2024

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Sift/Shortlist Criteria: 

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be asked to complete a 500 word personal statement, and attach your anonymised CV to show how you meet the following criteria:

Experience:

• Archive/Library experience or knowledge
• Experience of conserving and preserving large format documents
• Good knowledge of collections cataloguing software

Interview Criteria:

 The interview will comprise of a technical test, you will be interviewed against the following criteria:

 Civil Service Behaviours (Level 2):

• Managing a Quality Service (scored as part of the technical test)

• Making effective decisions (scored as part of the technical test)

 

Experience:  

• Experience of conserving and preserving large format documents (scored as part of the technical test)
• Archive/Library experience or knowledge
• Good knowledge of collections cataloguing software 

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

 

Process:  

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 2 people and will last approx. 90 mins

 

Onboarding Checks:

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks.  Please note, the responsibilities of this role are currently under review and there is a possibility the level of security check needed may change.  Applicants should therefore be prepared to obtain a security clearance at Security Check (SC) at a later date if necessary. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms. 

BPSS – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and is open to UK, British Commonwealth, and European Economic Area nationals. Successful applicants will be required to pass the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and will therefore need to provide evidence if they have resided outside of the UK for a period of 6 months or longer within the last 3 years. This is not a bar to employment, but a successful applicant will be required to provide sufficient evidence to allow the UKHO to conduct meaningful background checks. Please contact the recruitment team on the email address below if you have any concerns regarding this.

Eligibility

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.

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.