Senior Collection Care Technician

Job summary

The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, holding over 1,000 years of the nation’s history. We provide expert guidance on information management to government departments and public sector bodies, while also advising on the care and preservation of archive collections.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Collection Care Department, which is dedicated to:
- Preserving the collection to ensure an unbroken historical record for present and future generations
- Unlocking and sharing the collection’s potential to enrich the experience of our users and maximise public access
- Driving innovation to continually enhance and improve collection care practices

As a Senior Collection Care Technician, you will work alongside a team of conservation, preservation, engagement, and heritage science professionals. The role involves supporting both ongoing programmes and participation in special projects, requiring a balance of initiative and collaborative teamwork with colleagues across the organisation and with external partners. You will play a key role in safeguarding the physical record via preventive and interventive methods. Your work will support improved access to the collection, extend its lifespan and enhance the experience of all our users.

The successful candidate will be a committed advocate for Collection Care’s objectives, demonstrating high professional standards and contributing actively to the development of innovative best-practice approaches to archive care.

This role requires on site presence and is not suitable for home working.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).

Person specification

Application Process:

• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in Kew in February 2026. Candidates invited to interview will take a short hands skills test as part of the assessment.

• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words.

Selection for interview will be based on the ‘essential’ requirements in the job description so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.

Essential:

• Excellent practical and technical skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions to a wide range of technical challenges across different functions within the department.
• Excellent creative problem-solving abilities, applying sound judgement to a range of tasks and situations and seeking guidance, as required.
• Proven ability to work independently, whilst also collaborating as part of wider team.
• Excellent organisational skills, able to prioritise workloads and deliver high-quality outcomes within deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, supporting effective engagement with various stakeholders.
• Proficiency with IT systems, including MS Office products, with the ability to collect, manage and interpret data and to adapt to a wide range of applications.

Desirable:

• Experience within a cultural heritage setting, with a good background and working knowledge of conservation and preservation.

Sound knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards, with the ability to adopt creative and innovative approaches to the care and conservation of large archival collections.

Sponsorship:

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,258, The National Archives contributes £8,476 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.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 : The Talent Acquisition Team
• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
• Telephone : 02039855979

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…

nationalarchives.gov.uk

Attachments

Senior Collection Care Technician Job Description Opens in new window (docx, 50kB)