Collections Development Assistant

Job Introduction

20.5 hours per week (Wednesday–Friday, plus occasional evenings and weekends)
Based primarily at Lincolnshire Archives

We are seeking a proactive and practical Collections Development Assistant to work primarily as part of the team at Lincolnshire Archives, supporting the management, care and accessibility of our archival holdings.

When required, you will also support the wider Culture Service across sites including Lincoln Museum, The Usher Gallery, Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincoln Castle, Discover Stamford and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre.

This is a hands-on, operational role focused on collections management, care and public access.

Core Duties

The primary objective of this post is to support the daily operation of Lincolnshire Archives via shared rota duties. You will ensure archival holdings are accessible, secure, accurately documented and professionally managed in line with agreed standards.

• Moving, loading and retrieving archival collections (including working at height in repository areas)
• Maintaining document issue and return registers and supporting supervised access
• Responding to archive enquiries and research requests
• Operating reprographic and imaging equipment, producing digital and hard copy images, and applying appropriate pricing
• Advising and assisting visiting researchers and service users
• Acting as key holder

Collections Management and Documentation

You will contribute to maintaining accurate and reliable collections information to support access, security, reporting and service improvement.

• Inputting and analysing data using CALM and Modes collections management systems
• Running inventories and reports to support enquiries, analysis and report writing
• Undertaking collections research to support review and rationalisation
• Supporting digitisation workflows, applying digital preservation principles and storing images with appropriate metadata
• Contributing to service reporting and continuous improvement through accurate data, performance figures and record management

Collections Care and Technical Support

A significant element of this role is practical collections management, care and technical oversight, supporting agreed collections care standards and benchmarks.

• Environmental monitoring, surveying storage and display areas, and analysing data
• Assisting with bespoke packaging, conservation cleaning and object maintenance under direction
• Operating, maintaining and calibrating imaging and technical equipment
• Completing collection checks and supporting the security of holdings

Public Access and Engagement

Alongside collections management, you will support delivery of accessible and welcoming services both onsite and online.

• Preparing collections for tours, workshops and public access sessions
• Assisting with displays, exhibitions and online interpretation
• Contributing to digital content and social media 

About You: 

We are looking for someone with knowledge or experience of archive or museum collections who brings:

• A flexible, hands-on approach in a physically active environment
• An awareness of Health & Safety requirements, including manual handling and working at height
• Strong attention to detail and confidence working with collections data
• Good organisational and communication skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a small team

This post is 20.5 hours per week (Wednesday–Friday) with occasional evenings and weekends required.

If you are motivated by safeguarding heritage collections while ensuring meaningful public access to them, we would welcome your application.

For an informal discussion, please contact Ged Payne ged.payne@lincolnshire.gov.uk or Vicki Perry vicki.perry@lincolnshire.gov.uk 

Closing date: 06/04/26.

Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.