Job Description
Role: Digitisation Project Officer (Fixed Term)
Reports to: Curator, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
July 2011
Business Function: Properties & Visitor Services
Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band C : £15,580
Location: Robert Burns Birthplace Museum,
Type of Contract: Fixed-term for 12 months/ Full-time
Murdoch’s Lone, Alloway, Ayr KA7 4PQ
Terms and conditions
The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.
KEY PURPOSE
To deliver the digitisation programme of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (RBBM) collections,
including photography of prioritised objects and manuscripts within the collection, updating object records
on the collections management system, and digital transcription of key texts held by the Museum.
CONTEXT OF THE ROLE
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum holds the world’s largest collection of artefacts relating to Scotland’s
best known bard. This recognised collection includes over 5,000 manuscripts, books, personal artefacts and
artworks relating to Robert Burns and his legacy.
The Museum aims to make the birthplace of Burns a place of inspiration for every visitor, including virtual
visitors. To this end, the museum intends to increase access to and engagement with its collections
through the creation of an online collections database and interactive online materials. The process of
digitising the collections has already begun, but further dedicated work is required to prepare materials for
these purposes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Key Purpose of the job will be met by:
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Undertaking physical digitisation of the RBBM collections, including:
o Locating and handling objects within the museum and store areas
o Completing digital photography and/or scanning of three-dimensional and archival items
o Editing, organising, and storing digital materials to agreed standards
o Creation of photographic and object-based metadata
Transcribing key documents in the collection to agreed archival standards
Undertaking basic object research to update catalogue records on the collections database
Editing and enhancing digital object records
Liaising with Robert Burns Birthplace Museum staff, Trust staff, and external consultants to ensure
digitisation efforts compliment ongoing digital developments of RBBM website and online
collections database
Preparing progress reports
Undertaking training as required
The current duties of this job do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried
out or the post holder to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which
replaces the ‘Enhanced Disclosure’ check and is administered by Disclosure Scotland.
SCOPE OF THE JOB
Technical
 The job will be located at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway. The Robert Burns
Birthplace Museum is a multi-destination site comprising the historic sites Burns Cottage; Burns
Cottage Education Pavilion; Burns Monument and Gardens; Brig o’ Doon and Kirk Alloway as well
as a new purpose-built museum, housing the Birthplace Collection.
 The post holder will report to the RBBM Curator. The programme of work and key deadlines and
objectives will be set and agreed by the Curator.
 The post holder will have use of a shared office and will also be required to work within the
collections stores, one of which is accessed only by a flight of stairs. The post holder will need to be
able to safely manually handle collections objects and materials.
People Management
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No line management responsibility will be involved in this role, but the post holder will be expected
to liaise with a wide spectrum of RBBM and Trust staff in coordinating work with ongoing digital
developments and in maintaining organisational standards of practice.
Financial Management
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No budgetary responsibility.
Tools/equipment
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The post holder will be expected to be able to safely use some basic hand tools and equipment for
the movement of museum objects, safe operation of display cases, and stores.
In addition, they will be expected to have a competent degree of proficiency in the following:
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Use of digital cameras, scanners, and other photographic studio equipment
Use of personal computer, including database applications
Use of general Microsoft software packages
Use of online research tools and finding aids
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the post-holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either
knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential
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Demonstrable working knowledge and/or experience of using collections management systems
and/or databases
Familiarity with the use of electronic mark-up language (such as XML)
Demonstrable experience of using photographic equipment, including digital cameras and scanners
Familiarity with creating metadata for photographic and/or collections-based resources
Proficient in writing reports
High attention to detail
Ability to work on own initiative to set deadlines
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Excellent time management and organisational skills
Willingness to develop new skills and undertake training as required
Desirable
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Experience of working in a records management environment
Technical knowledge and/or experience of digitisation within the museum, archive, or library
environment
Experience of using photographic editing software such as Adobe Photoshop
Knowledge of relevant data and cataloguing standards, such as SPECTRUM, EAD, and/or JISC
digitisation standards
Current driving licence valid for driving in the UK.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect
the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with
appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be
reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department
(Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh, EH11 4DF,
by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am) on Monday 18 July 2011.
Interviews are likely to be held at RBBM during the week commencing Monday 1 August 2011.