Overview
Suffolk County Council – Archive Assistant (Suffolk Archives). The role supports public access to the collections housed at The Hold, Ipswich, and involves frontline customer service, handling archive materials, and contributing to a welcoming heritage environment.
Location, Hours and Salary
* Address: The Hold, Ipswich, IP4 1LR – On Site working
* Salary: £25,185 per annum (pro rata)
* Hours: Post 1 – 29.27 hours per week: Monday 9.15am–5.00pm, Tuesday 9.15am–5.00pm, Wednesday 9.15am–5.00pm, Saturday 9.15am–5.00pm; plus, the 2nd Thursday of the month 4.30pm–10.00pm. Post 2 – 21 hours per week: Thursday 9.15am–5.00pm, Friday 9.15am–5.00pm, Saturday 9.15am–5.00pm.
* Contract: Permanent
There is an enhanced payment rate for Saturday working and Thursday evening working after 8pm. Working Saturdays as part of the contracted rota is a requirement of these roles.
About the Team
Suffolk County Council’s Suffolk Archives is committed to preserving and sharing important historical records. We’re looking for an engaging and customer-focused Archive Assistant to join our team. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about history, enjoys working with people, and is keen to help others discover Suffolk’s rich heritage.
Your Role and Responsibilities
* Greet and assist customers with enquiries, offering knowledgeable support regarding our archives and services
* Retrieve and produce archive materials from strongrooms for customer use
* Assist with sales in our on-site shop and promote our archival services
* Ensure that materials are handled safely and securely, adhering to preservation guidelines
* Maintain organised records and contribute to accurate archive inventories
* Collaborate with the team to enhance customer experiences and maintain a welcoming environment
* Support general administrative tasks related to the archives
Requirements
* a genuine passion for history and enthusiasm for sharing it with others
* excellent customer service and communication skills
* an interest in archival work or a related field
* the ability to handle and transport archive materials safely and responsibly
* strong organisational skills and attention to detail
Experience in a library, archive, retail, or customer service setting is an advantage.
Application Details
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
Team and Values
Suffolk Archives is a small, flexible, proactive team that is passionate about sharing Suffolk’s local history and heritage. Archive Assistants work as part of the Operations Team, responsible for providing public access to the collections.
Equality and Inclusion
We’re committed to empowering everyone and representing diverse communities. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
Contact and How to Apply
Please contact Katie Angus (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by emailing katie.angus@suffolk.gov.uk. For adjustments to the application process, contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. If invited to the next stage, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments.
Important Dates
Closing date: 11.30pm, 10 November 2025. Interview date: week commencing 24 November 2025.
About Us and Benefits
We offer a wide variety of careers and flexible working options to reflect how people work today. Benefits include up to 29 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays and two paid volunteering days, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, health and wellbeing benefits, performance-related progression, and opportunities for development. Details are available on the Suffolk County Council careers site.
We value authentic applications and may reject applications suspected of being generated by AI. DBS checks or police vetting are required for relevant posts.
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