Archivist, Ushaw and Catholic Collections

Library

Grade 7: - £34,304 - £40,927 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: Until 31 July 2025
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 02-Aug-2022, 6:59:00 AM

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

The Department and role purpose:

In January 1833 Bishop William van Mildert donated 160 volumes to found the University Library, located on Palace Green and in the same year Durham’s first university museum opened to the public. Today the University Library and Collections offers spaces, collections, expertise and services supporting education, research, the wider student experience and cultural and educational outreach. Collections and services operate across a wide estate of libraries, archives, museums, galleries and exhibition spaces, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Palace Green. Our nationally and internationally recognised collections span early books, archives and manuscripts, museum objects and art, print and electronic materials and include a repository of digitised materials, research outputs and research data. Our users encompass anyone engaging with our collections, services and facilities in person or remotely, this includes university staff, researchers from around the globe, students in higher education from Durham and other universities, school pupils and teachers, Durham’s local residents and tourists.

We are an ambitious and developing team with a focus on providing the best experience for our students, researchers and the wider community. We are valued partners working with students, professional services and academics across the University, and professionals and organisations regionally, nationally and internationally.

The University Library and Collections is made up of six sections: Collections; Customer Services; Education, Learning and Engagement; Research and Systems; Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions; and Finance and Administration. Staff work flexibly between the sections, 7 enabled by cross-cutting groups, Collections, Education, Engagement, User Experience, Operations, Research, Staff Development and a Programme and Project Steering Group.

The Collections team, under the leadership of the Head of Collections, has broad responsibility for the acquisition, cataloguing, management, preservation and conservation of collections, including modern print and electronic collections, archives, and rare books. Their work also includes the administration of reading lists, inter-library loan, and the provision of search-room and enquiry services for Archives and Special Collections. Their expertise and collections knowledge (alongside colleagues across the department, for example in our museums team) are used in support of learning, teaching, research and public engagement activities.

The Archives and Special Collections at Palace Green Library comprise exceptionally rich and varied material, dating from early medieval to modern, and including manuscripts, archives, rare and open access books, maps, prints, photographs, born-digital and digitised material and some objects.   The University also works in partnership with Durham Cathedral to manage and provide access to their archives, based at 5 The College, and also with Ushaw Trust to manage and provide access to library and archive collections at Ushaw College.

The main focus of the role is the archives and book collections held in the former Roman Catholic seminary of Ushaw College in County Durham, which are managed by Durham University in partnership with UshawTrust. These collections built up at Ushaw College since its establishment as a Catholic seminary in 1808 reflect its role as a major institution for Catholic higher education until its closure as a college in 2011. The collections date back to the early Middle Ages and comprise the library and archive of the institution itself, and those of a number of other related Catholic organisations and individuals. The postholder will also have a particular focus on those collections held by the University relating to Catholic communities and organisations. The postholder will split their time between work at Ushaw College and Palace Green Library. They will report to the Senior Manager - Archives and Special Collections  and work within the Archives and Special Collections team based at Palace Green Library, and will also work closely with Ushaw staff.

The postholder participates in all aspects of the management of these collections and access to them, including:

• collection development, including, cataloguing, storage and where appropriate, acquisition, accessioning and appraisal
• providing a Searchroom service at Ushaw College
• facilitating and enhancing access through development of, delivery of or support for events or resources to support research, educational and engagement activities
• applying policies, procedures and standards
• ensuring legislative and regulatory compliance
• maintaining appropriate collections care, alongside professional colleagues in conservation
• Undertaking research relating to archives, their creators and context, to enable the promotion and use of collections
• promoting collections to users and potential users, to enhance the reputation of collections in the region
• maintaining a close working relationship with staff and trustees of Ushaw Trust, on operational and strategic issues relating to the collections
• identifying potential partnerships or projects and contributing to funding applications

The postholder also contributes to the delivery of the public service in the searchroom at Palace Green Library to facilitate research access to the collections.

The postholder may have a particular focus on some collections and/or some areas of responsibility.

The role involves building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including creators, donors and depositors of collections; researchers and research projects within Durham University and externally; regional, national and international networks.

The postholder is responsible for line management of support staff and project staff and the supervision of volunteers as required.

Core responsibilities:

• Recognised professional practitioner and management and/or service specialist with line management responsibility for the Graduate Intern and any project staff and day-to-day coordination of any other Library and Collections colleagues working at Ushaw College.
• Provide input to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables, resolving problems alongside other colleagues.
• Manage service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience through proactive identification of stakeholder needs.
• Contribute to the analysis of stakeholder feedback, and maintain sector awareness to help define needs and requirements, inputting to the design and planning of services.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation.
• Provide feedback on team and individual performance and identify development needs, conducting regular staff ADR and performance reviews.
• Handle the vast majority of welfare issues within a team, referring more complex welfare issues to appropriate support services/senior management.
• Delivery of ongoing coaching, mentoring and training to team members.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access.
• Contribute to business meetings, working groups and sub committees at departmental and operational service levels.
• Devolve responsibilities to team members to ensure continuity of service provision and encourage skills development.

Role responsibilities:

• Provide management for the operation of a stakeholder focussed service delivery area.
• Manage and monitor service performance and provide metrics and reports to Service Heads, making recommendations as appropriate.
• Participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally.
• Network and engage with external and internal stakeholders to gather feedback and identify future service needs, to ensure excellence in service provision.
• Contribute to the production and analysis of statistical service metrics to identify successful delivery and areas for future improvement.
• Distribute and process key service information to all stakeholders.
• Develop, plan, promote, deliver and teach classes, events and activities for students, staff, and visitors.
• Implement continuous service improvements to enhance the delivery of stakeholder services, including making recommendations for a collections development strategy and plan relating to catholic archives.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using appropriate media and methods.
• Develop, modify and optimise service protocols and methodologies.
• Ensure the safety, security and maintenance of service and public areas, dealing with issues, and responding to incidents and providing reports.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Specific role requirements

This exciting and challenging role will be split between the former Catholic College at Ushaw - located four miles outside Durham city - and Palace Green Library at the heart of the Durham World Heritage Site. A substantial part of the role (c.3 days per week) will be spent working independently at Ushaw - with input from skilled specialist colleagues when necessary.

The postholder will be responsible for the care and provision of access to the amazing nationally and internationally important archives, and rare book collection held there as part of a partnership between Ushaw and the University.

The remainder of the time will involve caring for the University’s own Catholic collections held at Palace Green Library and working closely with colleagues to run the wider archives and special collections service.

They will also be responsible for the management of a Graduate Intern.

The role is based at Ushaw College (4 miles west of Durham City) and at Palace Green Library, but working at 5 The College and other University sites will also be required.

There may be a requirement for the post holder to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays, as business demands.

There will be a requirement for the post-holder to participate in local on-call arrangements as business demands.

The postholder acts as Duty Manager at Palace Green Library when required.

Working Arrangements

At Durham we recognise that our staff and students are our greatest asset and we want to support the health and wellbeing of all. Hybrid working supports this ethos and provides many benefits to our colleagues, including empowering people, where their role allows, to work in a manner which is more suitable for them, whilst encouraging our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Depending on the needs of the business and the job role, Durham University is piloting hybrid working for all Professional Services colleagues in the academic year 2021/2022, which may include the opportunity to work both on and off campus and to flex working hours. If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you. Any hybrid arrangements are non-contractual and may change within the pilot and when the pilot ends.

SECONDMENT

The post is full time , fixed term until 31 July 2025 and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

Reward and Benefits

To support the delivery of the University's People Strategy to attract, retain and reward the very best, we offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits  to our staff, including:

• 30 days annual leave, plus 4 customary days and 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) and the option to purchase additional leave;
• Automatic enrolment into a pension scheme;
• Corporate and local discounts;
• Wellbeing resources and discounted health benefits;
• Health discounts on sports and activities at Maiden Castle Health and Activity Centre;
• Reward and Recognition Schemes;
• Personal and career development;
• And SO much more, with further information available here

Recruiting to this post

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification. In some cases, the recruiting panel may also consider the desirable criteria, so we recommend you evidence all criteria in your application.

Please note that some criteria will only be considered at interview stage.

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Information if you have a disability

The University welcomes applications from disabled people. We are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system, please get in touch with us on [email protected] .

What you are required to submit 

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details 

For further information regarding this post, please contact;  Judy Burg, Head of Collections [email protected]

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

As a University we foster a collegiate community of extraordinary people aligned to the University’s values . Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive, and in doing so, recruit the world’s best candidates from all backgrounds and identities. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria:

Desirable Criteria

Job Family: Community, Participation and Engagement Services

OUR CHARACTERISTICS: We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, in a unique and historic setting.

OUR VALUES: We are inspiring, challenging, innovative, responsible and enabling.

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Business, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

It is expected that all staff within the University:

• Contribute to our learning culture by engaging in mentoring, training and coaching.
• Positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Have due regard to Health and Safety requirements appropriate to grade and role.

Family key attributes

Roles in this family provide an excellent stakeholder experience for our diverse and supportive community.

Overall family purpose

• Provide excellent student support services, development and extra-curricular activities.
• Align and deliver programmes and activities to meet operational and strategic objectives to enhance the stakeholder experience.
• Respond to stakeholders at the point of service delivery, either in situ or remotely.
• Facilitate the development of excellent colleague and academic engagement.
• Provide a stakeholder focussed service designed to increase widening participation and diversity.
• Promote the Durham reputation by establishing and broadening national and international community links to enhance the cultural and economic viability of the City and region.
• Enhance the Durham wider student experience by developing extra-curricular activities.
• Contribute to and enhance active, inclusive and supportive communities of stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively and network across the University with staff in other families to ensure a smooth, timely and high-quality delivery of service.
• Engage with suppliers, consultants and specialist professionals to deliver programmes and activities to enhance the stakeholder experience.
• Engage and encourage outreach and participation with external professionals, schools, alumni and donors.
• Engage and network with both internal and external stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange and impact through local, national and international communities.

Link to key strategic plan

• An economically and environmentally sustainable approach to delivering stakeholder focussed services across the University;
• A world-class student, alumni and donor experience;
• Focussed on the needs of all users working together to deliver front-line services as part of the Wider Student Experience;
• Learn from and match best practice in the Wider Student Experience around the world;
• Opening up our world-class sporting facilities to local clubs and athletes;
• Support and facilitate activities as part of the Widening Student Experience at Durham;
• A stakeholder-focused orientation, offering satisfying careers to all staff;
• Ensure that an increasingly diverse workforce is treated equally, fairly and with respect, and that all staff are demonstrably valued and actively engaged.

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.