Cataloguers (Collections)
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Location: London, WC1X 0DL
Salary: £22.5k -£24.5k, benefits package available; 18 month contracts
Closing date: 14 November 2008
We have two vacancies for cataloguers in our cataloguing team.
These are exciting opportunities to join a highly ambitious organisation. Founded in 2004, The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) cares for the archive and museum collections of Royal Mail. Our Designated Public Record Archive and Museum Collections range from sheets of Penny Blacks, posters and 1930s films, to mobile post offices and telegrams from the Titanic. We are currently working on a major relocation project to find a new home for the museum and archive. Cataloguing is very important to us, and we are working to increase access to our material by making catalogues available online and by reducing our cataloguing backlog.
Main Purpose of the Job
To assist the Catalogue Manager with the proper documentation of Museum Collections; to enhance and publish existing Museum catalogues; to work on documentation projects for uncatalogued non-public record material.
Position in the Organisation
Reports to: Catalogue Manager
Responsible for: No staff but potential volunteer management
Job description
• To document non-public record museum material, as directed by the Catalogue Manager.
• To work on the enhancement of existing catalogue data, and to oversee and promote its publication.
• To participate in digitisation and digital documentation projects, including as part of routine cataloguing work.
• To assist in the review of museum collection groups so that documentation work is done as efficiently as possible.
• To document locations and collections management data as part of a team.
• To implement and further develop catalogue enhancement aids, including the object thesaurus.
• To participate in stocktaking project work.
• Other tasks as may be from time to time required by the Catalogue Manager.
The postholders will be expected to monitor and report on their work as directed by the Catalogue Manager.
The postholders will be expected to work to office guidelines on handling, health and safety, lone working, etc., as advised.
The postholders will be expected to work offsite on occasion, in particular at the Museum Store at Debden. Extra travelling expenses incurred will be reimbursed.
Person Specification
Qualifications• A recognised Museum Studies qualification, or equivalent.
• A demonstrable intent to be aiming for AMA.
Experience• Experience of documentation in a museum environment.
• Experience of working in an archive and museum service environment.
• Experience of providing a public service.
• Experience of working to agreed and recognised standards, such as SPECTRUM.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Experience of editing data and data manipulation.
• Experience of digitisation work.
Knowledge• Knowledge of museum documentation standards, such as SPECTRUM.
• First class attention to detail.
Working Hours
41 hours a week, including meal breaks, flexible between 8.30am and 5.30pm.
Some weekend working will be required (this will be arranged in advance). When it is required, the following Monday-off-in-lieu will be given. This day can be varied at the discretion of the line manager. The postholders will be expected to share in the locking up or unlocking of premises on a rota basis, and be on a rota for callout in the unlikely event of an emergency. The postholders may be required on occasion to attend outside of the hours above, for example for staff meetings. Variations of the hours can be made at the discretion of the line manager.
Salary and Pension
£22,500 - £24,500 pa. Dependent on experience and qualifications (appointments are usually made at the bottom of the scale). Eighteen month contract in the first instance. The BPMA offers a pension scheme that you will be eligible to join after 3 months continuous service.Annual Leave
22.5 days per year, plus statutory holidays. The leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March, and leave will be awarded on a pro-rata basis for any incomplete years.Application
Please apply by downloading and completing the application form available here (Word 1997-2003 document - if you require the form in another format, please contact us directly), clearly addressing the points outlined in the person specification criteria, and email or post to:
Gavin McGuffie
Catalogue Manager
The British Postal
Museum & Archive
Freeling House
Phoenix Place
London WC1X 0DL
Tel: 020 7239 5145 Fax: 020 7239 2576
Please note that only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.