Learning Assistant

Library

Grade 4: - £21,630 to £23,144 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 12 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date : 26-Oct-2022, 6:59:00 AM 

Job Title: Learning Assistant (maternity cover) 
Department: University Library and Collections
Grade: 4
Salary range: £21,630 to £23,144 per annum
Working arrangements:  Full time 35 hours per week. This role is a fixed term maternity cover for 12 months.

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.  Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. 

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  

Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and the Department 

• Supporting the wider development and delivery of our school, community and student engagement programmes.
• Supporting the Curator, Contemporary Art to deliver the University’s annual Summer in the City arts festival.
• Continuing to develop and grow our school's engagement work using the Durham University Art Collection.
• Continuing to develop and grow our public engagement work using the Durham University Art Collection including working with Durham University student groups to deliver art engagement programmes.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of the Durham University annual Student Art Prize
• The candidate will work across multiple sites of the University’s Library and Collections, including the Bill Bryson Library, Oriental Museum, Durham Castle, Museum of Archaeology, Art Collection, Archives and Special Collections.
• Travel required across the region
• DBS enhanced check required
• Some evening, bank holiday and weekend working maybe required as service demands.

Working at Durham   

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.  
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community 
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  
• We offer generous pension schemes.  

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. 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. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 

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.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, 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, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  

Your application should cover the following criteria: 

Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). 

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   

Submitting your application  

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails  

What you are required to submit:  

• A CV  
• A succinct covering letter (maximum of 3 sides of A4), which includes clear examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria within the Person Specification (above).

Contact details  

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, our Learning and Engagement Manager, Ross Wilkinson, would be happy to speak to you.

Email:  [email protected]

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Provide a responsive and proactive support service for stakeholders.  
• Focus on checking stakeholder requirements to ensure the delivery of excellence with the frontline stakeholder experience. 
• Solve day-to-day routine problems and source background information within the role. 
• Record data and information accurately and provide reports as required to team members and more experienced staff. 
• Operate a booking and enquiry service and process requests finding solutions or escalating queries where necessary. 
• Apply professional and regulatory procedures and processes and use of systems. 
• Resolve queries and requests for information and advice and escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members. 
• Apply recognised professional, commercial and/or organisational service level standards to enhance the stakeholder experience. 
• Record, collate, analyse, store and report data and information on the level and uptake of services and quality of experience. 
• Compile, record, store and archive data and information to ensure the accuracy and safety of information. 
• Provide service and support for networks, committees and meetings, to draft and distribute documents and communications in standard professional formats.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Teamwork

• Contribute to the planning of team activities, work and deadlines to ensure the smooth running and timeliness of service. 
• Assist team members to organise, plan and prepare for events, meetings and activities. 
• Work with team members to ensure the timeliness and relevance of products and services. 
• Work with team members and others across the organisation to prepare for the delivery of exhibitions, activities and events. 

Communication/Networking

• Respond to service users answering and recording standard queries and bookings for activities and/or events. 
• Flexible in approach to accommodate the needs of team members and/or service users. 
• Liaise with internal and external suppliers, contractors and professional specialists to pass on information. 
• Liaise and collaborate with staff in other areas of the organisation to ensure a seamless, smooth and efficient service. 
• Provide guidance to service users with the use of and access to exhibitions, artefacts, resources and equipment. 
• Liaise with internal and external suppliers and specialists with the organisation, planning and delivery of services, activities and events. 
• Any other reasonable duties. 

Useful links 

If you would like further information you may find the following will help; www.durham.ac.uk/4schools .

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.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

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.

MATERNITY COVER 

Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.

DBS Requirement: Please note that the successful applicant will require DBS disclosure.