JOB DESCRIPTION
ARCHIVIST
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Archivist reports directly to the Cathedral Archivist.
PURPOSE
To assist in the full range of professional duties at Canterbury Cathedral Archives, supporting
the Cathedral Archivist as required.
PRINCIPAL TASKS
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Accession and catalogue archive material using CALM software.
Assisting with the answering of enquiries received in person or by phone, post or email.
Assisting with the care of the archive collections to the highest possible standards.
Assisting with the supervision of the reading room.
Contributing towards the educational and outreach work of the Archives through hosting
group visits and attendance at offsite events.
Supervising volunteers working in the Archives.
Assisting with the preparation of exhibitions.
Assisting with the production of copies of documents, for customer use.
Maintaining records of loans of documents from/to the Cathedral Archives.
Assisting with document retrieval for public and staff.
Assisting with Health and Safety matters as appropriate.
As an Employee of the Dean and Chapter to fully endorse, understand and exercise the
roles and responsibilities contained within the Dean and Chapter’s Health and Safety policy
which is set out in the Staff Handbook and undergo any training necessary.
Ensuring that professionalism and confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Carrying out any other reasonable task as required.
HOURS
Approximately 35 hours per week Monday to Friday 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs. The position holder
should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational
needs.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Duration
Grade
Salary
Pension
Life Assurance
Holiday
This post is for a fixed term of 6 months, commencing in January 2013.
5
circa £22,000 per annum
The Dean and Chapter contribute 7½% of salary into a Stakeholder
Pension Scheme until the age of 70 years.
Staff in the pension scheme are insured against death in service 3 x
annual salary.
Based upon the 6 month duration of this contract, holiday entitlement on a
pro rata basis of FTE holiday is 12 ½ days plus public holidays and Dean
and Chapter Days that fall within the period.
Archivist – Fixed Term
November 2012
PRE EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
None
This job description is provided to assist the post holder to know their principal duties. It may
be amended from time to time in consultation with you, by, or on behalf of, the Head of the
Department, without change to the level of responsibility appropriate to the grading of the post.
Updated November 2012
Archivist – Fixed Term
November 2012
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
The personal specification below indicates the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
required to undertake the role effectively.
Essential
Desirable
Professional qualifications:
Professional archives qualification or equivalent
experience
Academic qualifications:
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Educated to degree level
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Experience:
Excellent IT skills, including experience of archives or
library application software
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Experience of staff and/or volunteer management
Experience of working with medieval and early modern
archive material
Knowledge:
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Excellent standard of written English
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Good knowledge of sources for church and local history
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Good understanding of Latin
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Good skills in medieval and early modern palaeography
Understanding of and sympathy with the aims and
purposes of the Cathedral, its mission and ministry.
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Memberships:
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Membership of the Archives and Records Association
Personal attributes:
Enthusiastic and self motivating
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Articulate with excellent communication and
interpersonal skills
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Numerate and methodical
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Ability to multi task and pay attention to detail
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Able to work to strict deadlines, work flexibly and
extended hours when necessary.
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Archivist – Fixed Term
November 2012