Reader Invigilation Officer

Job summary

Are you passionate about delivering outstanding customer service, maintaining high security standards and helping to protect one of the nation’s most important collections? We are looking for a professional, approachable and motivated individual to join our Front of House team as a Reader Invigilation Officer.

Whether you already hold a recognised security qualification or are keen to work towards one, this is an exciting opportunity to develop a career in a unique and rewarding environment. As a custodian of our collection, you will play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our records while providing an exceptional experience for visitors.

Job description

About the Role

Working within our busy reading room environment, you will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Managing access points to the Document Reading Room and the Map and Large Document Reading Room
• Monitoring CCTV systems and carrying out security patrols
• Ensuring reading room rules are observed and documents are handled appropriately
• Providing guidance and support to visitors and readers
• Acting as an ambassador for The National Archives; always delivering a welcoming and professional service

This is an important frontline role that combines security and customer service; offering the opportunity to make a real contribution to the preservation and accessibility of the nation’s history.

Working Pattern

This is a fully site-based position located at our Kew site, with no home-working option.

The working pattern is Tuesday to Saturday with the following working hours:

• Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 08:50–17:02
• Tuesday and Thursday: 10:50–19:02

Why Join Us?

Located in beautiful Kew, just a 10-minute walk from both Overground and Underground stations, The National Archives offers an excellent working environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits include:

• Civil Service pension scheme
• Discounts with local businesses and services
• Access to wellbeing support, including on-site therapists
• On-site gym facilities
• Restaurant, shop and staff bar
• The opportunity to work with and help protect one of the world's most significant archival collections

Full Job Description attached - see below

Person specification

We are seeking someone who thrives in a people-focused role, remains calm and confident under pressure, and enjoys working as part of a collaborative team. You will be highly organised, adaptable and methodical, with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to customer service.

Application Process

Interview

Interviews will take place on-site in August 2026. The selection process will include:

• A formal panel interview
• An informal peer panel with members of the Front of House team.

Application

As part of your application, please provide details of your work history and a personal statement of approximately 750 words, demonstrating how you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience in a customer-facing role dealing directly with members of the public
• Excellent face-to-face communication skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate and engage effectively with a wide range of people
• The ability to remain calm, professional and resilient when working under pressure or in challenging situations

When writing your personal statement, please use specific examples from your experience to show how you meet each criterion. For each example, briefly explain the situation, what you did, how you approached it, and what the outcome was. Strong applications will make clear your personal contribution, the skills you used, and the impact of your actions. You should structure your statement around the criteria above, giving at least one clear example for each.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.

ALL essential criteria listed in the attached job description will be assessed at interview stage.

Sponsorship:

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,600, The National Archives contributes £7,995 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Reasonable adjustments:

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Talent Acquisition Team
• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

Attachments

2025-04 RIT Officer - JD (003) Opens in new window (docx, 34kB)