The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and the Department
In January 1833 Bishop William van Mildert donated 160 volumes to found the University Library, located on Palace Green and in the same year Durham's first university museum opened to the public. Today the University Library and Collections offers spaces, collections, expertise and services supporting education, research, the wider student experience and cultural and educational outreach. Collections and services operate across a wide estate of libraries, archives, museums, galleries and exhibition spaces, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Palace Green. Our nationally and internationally recognised collections span early books, archives and manuscripts, museum objects and art, print and electronic materials and include a repository of digitised materials, research outputs and research data. Our users encompass anyone engaging with our collections, services and facilities in person or remotely, this includes university staff, researchers from around the globe, students in higher education from Durham and other universities, school pupils and teachers, Durham's local residents and tourists.
We are an ambitious and developing team with a focus on providing the best experience for our students, researchers and the wider community. We are valued partners working with students, professional services and academics across the University, and professionals and organisations regionally, nationally and internationally.
The University Library and Collections is made up of six sections: Collections; Customer Services; Education, Learning and Engagement; Research and Systems; Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions; and Finance and Administration. Staff work flexibly between the sections, enabled by cross-cutting groups.
The Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions team, under the leadership of the Head of Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions, is responsible for world-class museum, art, college and natural science collections supporting their care, curation, and discovery, as well as facilitating public and research access to those collections. Our spaces include the Oriental Museum, Palace Green Library (including the Museum of Archaeology) and Durham Castle Museum. We work with pre-school children, primary and secondary schools, undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and the wider community both within our venues and through our loans and outreach programmes, as well as increasingly through digital engagement.
The Museum of Archaeology cares for over 40,000 objects spanning 10,000 years of Durham's history. This post is part of Connecting Communities with Durham's Archaeological Heritage, a major redevelopment project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Sir James Knott Trust. The two-year project will transform the Museum of Archaeology into an inclusive, sustainable space that improves access to Durham's 10,000-year story. Through co-curation, digital interpretation and community engagement, the project aims to remove barriers to participation and create opportunities for schools, volunteers and local communities to connect with archaeology in meaningful ways
The Collections Assistant will work in partnership with the Curator of Archaeology and Natural Sciences, collaborating with the Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions team and the Learning and Engagement team to deliver project objectives. The role focuses on increasing access to Durham's archaeological collections and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement. The postholder will support co-curation workshops with schools, volunteers and community groups, helping to shape displays and interpretation that reflect diverse voices. They will assist in developing and delivering an inclusive programme of activities, including object-handling sessions, family events and creative workshops, working closely with the Learning and Engagement team to ensure alignment with curriculum and community needs. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a landmark project and gain hands-on experience in museum practice.
Based at the Oriental Museum, this role involves regular travel within Durham City, including displays at Palace Green Library and collections stored off-site in the local area. Due to the hands-on nature of the role, there will be limited scope for hybrid working. In addition, because of the nature of the project and its public engagement activities, there may be the requirement for regular weekend and evening working, to ensure successful delivery as of the project. Further information about the role and responsibilities is provided at the end of this job description. The line manager for this post will be the Curator of Archaeology and Natural Sciences.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
• You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply
To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we're looking for:
Qualifications/Experience
1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.
2. Experience of working in a team, delivering customer-focused services.
3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.
4. Experience of working in a fast paced, public facing team.
5. Experience of delivering engagement workshops and activities with a range of audiences, preferably in a museum, archaeology and/or heritage setting.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6. Good spoken and written communication skills.
7. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including email, digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications
8. Knowledge relevant to the role ideally supported by relevant courses or certifications
9. Committed to continuing professional development
10. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.
11. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.
Desirable Criteria
Experience of developing and supporting formal and informal learning programmes for different age groups.
Knowledge / Experience of British Archaeology and Archaeological practices.
Experienced at working collaboratively with partners, stakeholders and colleagues
Experience of working with SEND, vulnerable and non-traditional learners
Experience of supervising volunteers / temporary team members.
Experience of working in a museum, archaeology, cultural or heritage setting..
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
• A CV
• A document providing supporting evidence of how you meet the essential criteria and where possible, the desirable criteria (preferably in a grid format using the essential ad desirable criteria, above as headings).
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Gemma Lewis, Curator of Archaeology and Natural Sciences would be happy to speak to you.
Typical Role Requirements
Here are the kind of activities that you'll be asked to undertake and ways in which you'll be expected to operate.
Service Delivery
· Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University's values.
· Undertaking the safe movement of objects required for research, digitisation, teaching and engagement, ensuring good locations management
· Provide an excellent and timely service to our visitors, volunteers, finders, local community, students, schools and colleagues as part of the project.
· Use your initiative and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues, such as responding to visitor queries or supporting engagement activities, and provide updates to help your team find solutions.
· Assist with organising and delivering engagement activities, including co-curation workshops, working with artists and finders, volunteers, object-handling sessions and family events.
· Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports and analysis as required including reporting for the National Heritage Lottery Funding.
· Support the development of digital interpretation resources, such as online exhibitions and interactive content.
· To support the development of exhibitions through the development of relevant learning resources and activity programmes.
· Support students who will be actively co-curating the gallery.
· Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.
· When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards.
· Understand and apply recognised industry standards to enhance the level of service being delivered.
Teamwork
· Help your colleagues to organise, plan and prepare for events, workshops and engagement activities.
· Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of senior team members.
· Contribute to adapting programmes and services based on feedback and changing audience needs.
Communication/Liaison
· Seek feedback from students, visitors, schools, finders and community groups to ensure activities meet their expectations.
· Work with and support volunteers to ensure they are engaged with the project.
· Record information for activities and events accurately and respond to queries which you receive.
· Liaise with staff across the Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions team and the Learning and Engagement team to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
· Liaise with external partners, including artists, archaeologists and community representatives, to support co-curation and engagement projects.
· Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such as preparing and sending documents for meetings.
· Liaise with external contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.
· Contribute to the planning of team activities, work and deadlines to ensure the smooth running and timeliness of the project..
· Respond to queries about our museums and other visitor attractions.
· Any other reasonable duties.
Useful links
If you would like further information you may find the following will help
· About Durham University
· University Library and Collections
· Museum of Archaeology
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
SECONDMENT
The post is part time, fixed term for a 15 month period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.