About the job

Job summary

The Senior Conservator will play a significant role in developing and delivering projects as well as on-going programmes of single object treatments. You will build effective working relationships with colleagues within the Collection Care Department and experts across the conservation sector to constantly drive and improve our conservation methodology for single objects, working together with colleagues across the organisation as well as external visitors and stakeholders.

Job description

Full job description attached - see below

Person specification

As part of a team of conservation professionals you will be responsible for the preservation of The National Archives’ physical collection through interventive and preventive means.

Our team of highly skilled conservation practitioners are currently addressing medieval archival records in their various formats. We collaborate with our collection specialists, heritage scientists as well as engagement teams. You will play an essential part in developing and delivering these projects including wider sharing to various stakeholders and audiences.

You will contribute significantly to deliver The National Archives expanding loan and exhibition programmes, by preparing collection items in line with the Collection Care Department procedures, producing the relevant documentation and couriering exhibition items.

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.
You will have an extensive knowledge of archive materials conservation practice, bringing excellent practical and research skills as well as an informed approach to delivery of conservation treatments in line with current conservation standards.

An excellent communicator and aiming to forge Collection Care’s professional network, you will support Collection Care to disseminate the outcomes of our work with the widest possible public and professional audience.

The post holder will be employed for a fixed term of 6 months with potential extension. Part time 18 hours per week.

Flexible working is available. Business needs in the Collection Care Department require an 80% presence for all practicing conservators.

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.

How to apply:

To submit your application please click the 'Apply now' button on this page. You will be asked to complete a CV section and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria 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 so please make full use of the 1250 word count.

Essential criteria:

1. A post-graduate degree from a recognised science, 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 scientific research
2. Extensive knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards and the ability to develop creative and innovative approaches to heritage science
3. Demonstrable skills in solving complex problems, delivering high level academic research projects, and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement
4. Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively and to build and lead a team able to deliver outcomes to an agreed standard and timetable
5. Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative, with strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload
6. Excellent communication skills both written and oral and a track record of peer reviewed publications
7. Ability to mentor and manage others
8. Excellent IT and numeracy skills, and experience of analysing complex data.

Desirable:

Professional Accreditation or working towards obtaining Professional Accreditation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,515, The National Archives contributes £4,929 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.