Archivist

ARCHIVIST, Stratton-On-The-Fosse

£23,000 - 25,000 (depending upon skills and experience)

We are looking to recruit an experienced Archivist to play a key role in continuing to make the Downside Abbey Archives and Library collection publically accessible to a wide audience. As the largest monastic library in Britain, we preserve a collection of books, medieval manuscripts and archive material, collected during the past 400 years. With over 450,000 books, periodicals and papers dating back to the ninth-century, the collection is of both national and international importance. Conservation and cataloguing is an ongoing process, working progressively through the entire collection. The library houses unique collections, amongst them those on sundials, ornithology, local history, and of recusant first editions. It is also the archival repository of the English Benedictine Congregation, and has archival material dating back to the eleventh century. 

You will work closely with the Director of Heritage, Abbey Outreach Officer, the Abbey Heritage Officer and a team of Volunteers. Your core responsibilities will be organising the backlog of unsorted archive deposits and collections, overseeing repairs, conserving and re-packaging the existing archives and digital cataloguing of the Archive collections.

The role requires someone with a Degree in Archival Studies/Archival Management or similar relevant subject and a solid foundation of experience in an Archive environment, preferably within the heritage sector. You will also have working knowledge of cataloguing standards and databases, with excellent knowledge of Axiell. Naturally you will be able to manage, motivate and train volunteers and encourage stakeholder engagement.

A fabulous working environment, the Abbey and School are set in a 500 acre estate at the foot of the Mendip Hills in what we consider to be one of the most beautiful areas of England.  We are an equal opportunities employer. By car, we are within 40 minutes of Bristol, 30 minutes of Bath and 15 minutes of Wells

Closing date for applications:  Thursday 9th March, by 9am

Interviews to be carried out:  W/c 20th March 2017

To apply, please complete an application form which can be downloaded and submitted through an applicant tracking system on our Working With Us' page:

Please contact Michelle Heywood on 01761 235106 if you require further information after reading the Job Description. 

Downside is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the DBS. 

Registered Charity Number: 1158507