Project Archivist (York Archdiocesan Archive)

Role Description

Department

The primary focus of the role is to develop and implement a scoping project to re-catalogue and make available the York Archdiocesan Archive.  The Archdiocesan archive is one of our largest and oldest collections, spanning 1225 to the present day. Full access to the Archdiocesan Archive is limited by the lack of a complete ISAD(G)-compliant catalogue. The archive has been catalogued in various tranches since our founding in 1953 and is comprised of manuscript, paper and legacy digital finding aids. 

The post holder will work to develop and implement a future funded scoping project, which will focus on creating a new, overarching catalogue for the archive, making use of past finding aids and implementing new strategies for arrangement and description to give a fully holistic view of this wide-ranging, complex and fascinating archive. 

The post is suitable for an experienced archivist who wishes to further develop their arrangement and description skills using the distinctive AtoM platform, and to link the archive explicitly with the semi-current and current records of a continuing organisation. 

The post-holder will be based in Archives and Research Collections (Borthwick Institute for Archives), at the University of York. The post-holder will work closely with a team of other archivists and will liaise with and report to a Project Board comprising Borthwick archivists and Archdiocesan and Diocesan officers. 

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. It may not be possible to offer Skilled Worker sponsorship for this role. 

Role

The postholder will:

• Develop and, where appropriate, implement dedicated plans to open up the Archdiocesan archive via the creation of collection level descriptions, full file-level indexes and relevant authority files
• Broaden our potential user base by allowing off-site users to discover collections by promoting holdings via social and traditional media.
• Enable us to gain further experience and development of skills in the use of the AtoM cataloguing package
• Support information management by specifying information relating to intellectual property rights and access restrictions/exemptions.
• Facilitate potential community engagement with collection development, including with stakeholders in the Archdiocese
• Facilitate the exploitation of the archives for research 

This is a fixed term post for either 6 months Full-Time or 12 months part-time (18.50 hours a week)

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Recognised postgraduate qualification in archives
• Knowledge of international cataloguing standards
• Knowledge of UK data protection requirements
• Knowledge of digital archives and digital preservation
• Knowledge of archives relating to church administration
• Knowledge of governance structures of the Church of England
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to concentrate for long periods of time
• Experience of using specialist archival cataloguing software
• Proven experience in the successful delivery of large and complex archival arrangement and description projects 

 Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Laura Yeoman (laura.yeoman@york.ac.uk) or Gary Brannan (gary.brannan@york.ac.uk) 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.