Collections Documentation Officer

We are looking to recruit a Collections Documentation Officer to join our team based in Stafford. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £25,360 per annum.

The Royal Air Force Museum is a national museum, a Government non-departmental public body (NDPB) and a registered charity, with two sister sites at London and Midlands. Our purpose is to share the RAF story, past, present and future - using the stories of its people and our collections in order to engage, inform and inspire. Our Vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story – the people who shape it and its place in our lives.

We have two public sites (London and Midlands) and a stored collection (Stafford). Our trading company and active fundraising supplement Grant in Aid which comes through the Ministry of Defence.

Purpose of the Collections Documentation Officer role is to:

The Museum is looking for an experienced Collections Documentation Officer to join the team at an exciting time as we progress our Strategy to 2030 and continue the development phase of a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported programme of investment at our Midlands site.

You will help to administer the preparation of our collections to move to a new storage facility as well as provide admin support to the Museum’s Collections Review and Transfer programmes. This role will be based at our Stafford site and will work across all three Museum sites as required. Working elsewhere in the UK and abroad may be necessary.

Key responsibilities of our Collections Documentation Officer include:

• Contributing to the administration of the Museum’s Midlands Development Programme and Cosford Master Plan, particularly supporting all stages of preparing and relocating the collections, including reports and statistics.
• Compiling, verifying and maintaining detailed and accurate records for Museum objects and Collections Management activities, ensuring conformity with Spectrum standards
• Reviewing documentation backlogs in support of the Midlands Development Programme
• Supporting in facilitating physical and electronic access to the collection and collections information via contributions to the Collections Review, Loans Review, Transfer and location coding projects
• Supporting in gathering and researching provenance and hazards information for objects within the collection, including digitisation of records
• Supporting in the handling and movement of a wide range of materials, ranging from boxes of documents to heavy machinery, where required
• Delivering Collections Management and CMS support to Museum staff and volunteers, including provision of forms and Object Numbers
• Supporting the Museum’s adherence to the Arts Council England’s Accreditation Standard
• Providing on-site first aid cover to staff and volunteers.

What we are looking for in our Collections Documentation Officer:

• A relevant degree in conservation or equivalent experience
• Experience of working (paid or voluntary) in a museum or heritage organisation
• Displays enthusiasm around activities, adopting a positive approach when interacting with others, and motivating team members
• Uses experience and knowledge of standard practices, procedures or customs to evaluate problems and make appropriate decisions/provide appropriate advice
• Full, clean driving licence and willingness to drive hire cars and vans
• Experience of working to international museum standards for the transportation, packing and handling of museum objects
• Experience working at height for object installation and de-installation work
• Current first aid certification (or willingness to gain certification

Closing date for applications: 26th May 2024

Interviews will take place on: 6th June 2024

If you think you have what it takes and want to be part of this exciting journey, please click apply now to be re-directed to our jobs page where you can access the application method and details for the Collections Documentation Officer role. Join us in delivering our purpose and achieving our vision, ensuring that the Royal Air Force’s story continues to enrich and inspire current and future generations. We would love to hear from you.