Reference Number: CCT026
Closing Date: 29th September 2023
Hours: 22.5 hours per week. Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2024.
Rate of Pay: Pro rata is £12,224.88 – £13,720.85.
We are looking for a Collections Assistant to support the ongoing care of the collections at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. The postholder will be part of the busy Collections Team and will work on the care, documentation and display of the museum’s collection, which includes social history, archaeology, natural sciences and visual art. A key part of the role will be supporting the team on the delivery of a major temporary exhibition showcasing the collections, due to open in May 2024. The postholder will also assist with preparing collections at the off-site store to move to a new Collections Centre.
Roles and Responsibilities are:
- To carry out collections management and care activities, which include display, care, movement and documentation of displayed and stored items in the collections held by Culture Coventry on behalf of Coventry City Council working towards greater public access to the collections.
- To support the development and installation of new displays and temporary exhibitions, including selecting objects for display and creating interpretation.
- To support collections review and rationalisation and the move from offsite storage to the new Collections Centre.
- When required, to work on projects as part of a project team.
- To work in a wider team with colleagues in Collections, Exhibitions & Events, Learning & Engagement, and Operations to facilitate access to collections and to ensure their care.
We are looking for:
- A self-motivated team player with a professional and friendly manner.
- Commitment to audience development and inclusive access to collections.
- Logical and thorough with attention to detail.
- Good planning and organisational skills.
- Experience of working with museum collections.
- Knowledge of SPECTRUM and Accreditation standards.
Ideally we would like the successful candidate to work three full days, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but we are happy to be flexible around days and times.
The role is to work across all CVLife cultural venues as required. As this is a fixed term contract until 31st March 2024 we would like the successful candidate to start as soon as possible.
Apply today and Join Our Team!
Reporting to: Curator
Responsible for: Volunteers and trainees
Culture Coventry Trust and Coventry Sports Foundation are operating as CV Life, so that the scope of this Job Description as a CV Life document extends to cover the employment of employment contracts held with either Culture Coventry Trust or Coventry Sports Foundation.
- To carry out collections management and care activities, which include display, care, movement and documentation of displayed and stored items in the collections held by Culture Coventry on behalf of Coventry City Council working towards greater public access to the collections.
- To support the development and installation of new displays and temporary exhibitions, including selecting objects for display and creating interpretation.
- To support collections review and rationalisation and the move from offsite storage to the new Collections Centre.
- When required to work on projects as part of a project team.
- To work in a wider team with colleagues in collections, exhibitions & events, learning & engagement, and operations to facilitate access to collections and to ensure their care.
- To work across all CV Life cultural venues as required.
- To carry out collections documentation including completing object entry and exit forms, recording object locations and supporting collections audits.
- To support the ongoing collections review process, including rationalisation of collections and preparation of collection for move to new Collections Centre.
- To support the development and installation of exhibitions and displays.
- This involves developing interpretation, installing object in displays, carrying out condition checks, ensuring proper packing and unpacking of objects.
- To maintain appropriate collection care standards relating to legislative obligations, storage, movement, handling and display of collections.
- To supervise the safe handling and movement of objects within and between the Culture Coventry sites providing training and advice for trainees and volunteers to ensure safe working practices and appropriate installation.
- To assist with implementation of collections plans in relation to Accreditation, Designation and Immunity from Seizure.
- To act as part of the response team for Culture Coventry’s Emergency Response Plan.
- To assist the collections team in the collection and monitoring of performance indicators and statistics for the service, which relate to collections and loans.
- To work with marketing staff to promote the collections through a range of media, locally and at a national level, where appropriate.
- As appropriate, to carry out research, network opportunities and training to develop knowledge and good practice around working with collections.
- To work as part of a team responding to public enquiries about the collections.
- To supervise collections trainees, apprentices, volunteers and work placements as necessary.
This Job Description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and updated depending upon operational requirements and staffing levels.
- To embrace and lead by example on the Company’s key values of PRIDE, PASSION and PERFORMANCE or those that might at any time be subsequently re-defined.
- To undertake all duties and fully comply with all of the Company’s general standards and those relating to the specific requirements of the role.
- To carry out tasks at a range of sites that are either operated or managed by the Companies / Trusts or where services are delivered by the Companies / Trusts.
- To be involved in any aspects or opportunities for sharing of good practice, expertise and responsibilities within the Companies / Trusts. To generally help promote the work and public image of the Companies / Trusts, always maintaining high standards of customer service and personal appearance.
- To attend and fully engage with all internal training and development requirements and opportunities, and maintain such qualifications as required by the demands of the role.
- To interact positively with customers adopting a friendly and professional approach at all times.
- To support the Company’s commitment to providing a safe environment for children, young people ad vulnerable adults, ensuring awareness of the Company’s Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice Guidance, and to be vigilant, reporting any safeguarding concerns without delay.
- To comply with the General Data Protection Regulations when dealing with, maintaining, sharing and storing information.
- To undertake other duties as specified, which are appropriate to the qualifications, experience and general level of the post.
Essential Personal Attributes
- Commitment to audience development and inclusive access to collections.
- Logical and thorough with attention to detail.
- Good communication skills both written and verbal.
- Good teamworking skills.
- Ability to work independently and on own initiative.
- Good planning and organisational skills.
- A flexible approach to work and willingness and ability to work outside standard hours on occasion.
Essential Knowledge, Skills or Experience
- Experience of working with museum collections, including documentation, care and display.
- Knowledge of SPECTRUM and Accreditation standards.
- Experience of supervising volunteers Strong all round ICT skills.
Essential Special Skills
- Able to use collections databases.
- Skills in digitisation of museum collections.
If you have any enquires, please contact our Human Resources Team by emailing recruitment@cvlife.co.uk
- Great development opportunities
- FREE health and fitness membership* **
- FREE health and fitness membership for a family member or friend* **
- FREE uniform for applicable roles
- FREE training for applicable roles
- DISCOUNTS on various Centre activities*
- FREE entry to venues*
(*not applicable to casual workers)
(**The two benefits combined can be worth £1000!)
People from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse backgrounds, disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people are under-represented in our workforce, so we particularly encourage applications from candidates in these groups.
When applying for this position, please ensure you confirm the Job Title and the Reference Number as stated on this Job Advert.