Records and Archives Officer

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council is looking to hire a Records and Archives Officer to join their Records and Archive Management Team. Eligible individuals are hereby encouraged to apply.

There’s never been a more thrilling moment to become part of Wirral Council. We’re determined to meet ambitious goals and fulfill every pledge we’ve made to our residents. We’re seeking individuals who are committed to delivering top-notch service for our communities and demonstrating how they can truly make a difference. Our vision is to ensure a bright future for our residents, characterized by the prosperity of our community and backed by our outstanding staff and services. If you’re dedicated to making a difference and eager to be at the forefront of our journey towards change and improvement, this could be the ideal opportunity for you.

Wirral is a unique place, home to a growing population of over 320,000 people and over 8,000 businesses. Our stunning peninsula, extends to 60 square miles, and boasts 25 miles of scenic coastline.

Living in Wirral means you’ll be spoilt for choice. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty, packed full of spectacular scenery, with a rich mixture of culture, heritage and picturesque cottages. Our environment, our parks and our leisure and cultural offer are among the best in the UK. It offers cutting edge technology and executive living along the banks of the River Mersey, overlooking one of the most awe-inspiring views anywhere in the world in the famous Liverpool skyline.

Position: Record and Archives Officer

Salary: £24,702 – £25,979 per year plus benefits

Job Type: Contract (Full Time)

Location: Wirral

About the Role

You will work as part of the Records and Archives Management Team to deliver the council’s Archives and Corporate Records Management Services to internal and external corporate users, and to the public.  You will support the provision of assurance of corporate compliance with information legislation by virtue of adherence to record management standards for record-keeping.  You will also ensure continuity of corporate memory and the survival of, and public accessibility to, records that document the history of Wirral.

Main Duties

  • Work to well-defined archives and records management processes and procedures to ensure archived and records management information is securely held in specific defined locations and can be retrieved in a timely fashion.
  • Follow well defined archive collection management processes to ensure the long term preservation of records of historical value.
  • Process enquiries from internal and external service users with regards to record holdings and to the council’s records management procedures.
  • Be an integral part of Wirral Archive’s research service, undertaking research, responding to enquiries, processing payments and arranging reprographic work.
  • Process requests from council staff and other authorised officers to retrieve files from records management storage, checking availability via the records
  • Management database (RMDB), and giving due regard to confidentiality and specific access permission arrangements for different record groups.
  • Attend and maintain the archive search room and library including: operate an appointment system, customer interaction, explanation of collections and use of finding-aids, enforcement of strict search room regulations. Administer reprographicorders, collect fees and answering visitors’ enquiries.
  • Undertake basic preservation and conservation on archival documents, repackaging and labelling; sort, list and index documents, accession new material; monitor the physical condition of archives and record all information causing concern.
  • Maintain finding-aids for archival records, in particular the archive’s CALM database.
  • Assist with promotional activities, including the production of exhibition materials and other resources, and with outreach and educational activities.
  • Follow the legal framework for archives work that includes data protection and copyright concerns.
  • Schedule and undertake the secure and confidential collection and delivery of files requested by records management service users to locations of council work around and outside the borough as necessary.
  • Schedule and undertake collections of archival records from external organisations and members of the public for deposit into the archive repository.
  • Record statistics to monitor workload and team performance.
  • Enter details of newly transferred and accessioned records into the records management and archival (CALM) databases and update the databases to reflect retrieval / return of files from / to the store as necessary.
  • Manage records management file reviews: generate review reports from RMDB; seek decisions from managers regarding continued retention/disposal of files; implement managers’ decisions, undertaking first-stage appraisal for archival value of files signed off for disposal; update RMDB to reflect record pathway.
  • Deliver records management training to service users, emphasizing requirements of confidentiality and data protection legislation as appropriate.
  • Use other council databases and content management systems to help locate records and answer queries.
  • Enjoy, achieve, create impact, and thrive in the role and organisation.
  • Live our values in the role and organisation.

Qualifications

  • GCSE’s at grade C or above or equivalent.
  • 3 GCSEs at grade A, B, C or equivalent.
  • Information Management Qualification
  • Full Driving License
  • Excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Accuracy and attention to detail.
  • An understanding of and an ability to deliver excellent customer service to internal and external customers, including the public.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive IT skills.
  • Knowledge of relevant specialist legislative requirements relating to archives and records management, e.g. General Data Protection Regulation, copyright law and the Public Records Act.
  • Understanding of confidentiality requirements.
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyse information and make an appropriate decision on a course of action.
  • An ability to apply genealogical and local history knowledge to assist in archival research and answer enquiries. Essential Criteria
  • Ability to work to deadlines.
  • Physically able to carry boxes / items weighing up to 15kg.
  • Able to use high step ladders and work at height.

Required Documents

  1. CV/Resume
  2. Cover Letter

Benefits

We have a range of staff benefits including:

  • Staff discounts,
  • An excellent pension scheme which includes a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill-health protection.
  • We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.

Application Process

For further information about the role and to commence your application, please CLICK HERE

Application Deadline

May 19, 2024 (11:59 pm UK Time)