Assistant Archivist

We are looking for 2 Assistant Archivists to join the Parliamentary Archives based in the House of Lords. This is a position where you will undertake a full range of Collections Management activities, including accessioning and cataloguing, alongside supporting public access to the Parliamentary Archives through participating in outreach activities, answering enquiries, and searchroom supervision.

Please note the post involves working extensively with Axiell CALM and Preservica, as well as Orangeleaf, CollectionsBase, and Microsoft Excel.

It will also involve handling historic documents; manual handling (lifting, carrying, using a trolley); use of ladders; some working in confined spaces and some lone working. Many tasks involve working in the Victoria Tower (up to the 12th floor) so candidates must be comfortable using a small lift and also be able to use a spiral staircase in the event of a drill or evacuation.

This is an opportunity to work on a hybrid basis depending on business need. This is an exciting opportunity to prepare for one of the biggest changes in our history. The post would suit a methodical, accurate and logical individual, who enjoys working with digital systems and is familiar with working with large amounts of data and archive collections, whatever their format.

You'll be accountable for/to:

• Support the tracking and management of record locations during moves and offsite storage retrievals.


• Critical re-cataloguing of legacy catalogue entries which are no longer fit for purpose.


• Cataloguing and ingesting a backlog of digitised collections to provide increased public access.


• Undertaking regular uploads of catalogue data to the online catalogue, and deletion of superseded records.


• Accession and catalogue records transferred by Parliamentary departments.


• Contribute to the cataloguing and data cleansing of the circa 300,000 born-digital records exported from Parliament's now decommissioned Electronic Document Records Management System (EDRMS).
  
  Experience working in archives.


• Excellent digital skills as working with physical and digital archives.


• Excellent Organisational skills.


It would be even better if you had or if you're willing to learn…

• A recognised qualification in Archives and Records Management.
  
  30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 after one years' service).


• Generous pension scheme.


• Discounts from well-known brands and retailers.


• Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.


• The opportunity to witness history in the making!


The work we do is vital to House of Lords, and you will be a pivotal member in the team strengthening the work of the House. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK parliament. It is independent from and complements the work of the House of Commons to:

• Make laws.


• Check and challenge the actions of the government through questions and debates.


• Investigate public policy and provide a forum of independent expertise.