Lead Technician (Heritage Collections) - Part Time

1
B2
£33,000 Per annum (Pro-rata to Weekly hours)
Fixed Term
18 months fixed term contract with the possibility of extension and/or permanency
Part Time
Starting at 30 days per annum, pro-rata

15th January 2023 at 23:55

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: 

  • 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year). 
  • Civil Service Pension scheme. 
  • Access to training and development. 
  • Flexible working. 
  • Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan

Introduction

The In-House Services and Estates (IHSE) team aims to deliver a comfortable, safe and efficient environment for Members, their staff and staff of the House to work in; as well as providing a welcoming and functional environment for all visitors to the House of Commons. The department is also responsible for looking after and managing buildings, capital projects and significant assets on the Parliamentary Estate, which itself forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Lead Technician role sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within In-House Services and Estates (IHSE), reporting to the Discovery Phase: Art Handling and Logistics Manager. The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance: the Parliamentary Art Collection, the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection, and the Architectural Fabric Collection. This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.

The Role 

This is a new role within the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) and will lead two skilled technicians forming a new in-house technician team. The team will report to the Heritage Lead for Collections Storage, Standards and Management and work directly to the Art Handling and Logistics Manager. As a new function within HCT, this is a unique opportunity to inform new ways of working and develop in-house knowledge and skill to ensure the care and safe handling of the Heritage Collections. The post-holder will also ensure agreed standards are maintained for object packing, handling, movement, documentation, storage and display. Training and support will be provided as well as an extensive induction to support an understanding of Parliament’s unique collections, buildings, stakeholders and internal processes.

The new in-house Technician team will support HCT business as usual, and the Restoration and Renewal Programme (R&R) team to enable related activities such as object assessment and surveys, as well as assist with preparation for major collections decant. Another key project will be supporting HCT’s object assessment workstream (Discovery Phase), which is a parallel, fast-track, off-site consolidation workstream to capture all information relating to the collections currently housed outside the Palace of Westminster, and the requirements for their safe relocation and re-storage. This role will work closely with colleagues within HCT but also develop effective working relationships and networks across Parliament and externally, especially with the R&R Delivery Authority.

Hours

This role will be part-time for 3 days a week (21.6 hours per week.) The days needed are Monday – Wednesday.

Skills and Experience 

  • Heritage professional with wide practical experience as an object handling technician at a public sector museum, art gallery or historic house.
  • Experience of using object handling equipment, of object packing and transport, and of adaptive object handling techniques and approaches.
  • Knowledge of the standards, processes and security concerns underpinning collections care and management, with practical skill in art handling across a wide range of heritage object types and a passion for the care of collections.
  • Knowledge of best practise, practical application of current health, safety and welfare responsibilities, and legislation for safe use of work and lifting equipment.
  • Good relationship building skills, with the ability to deal tactfully and confidently with people at all levels upholding the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Uses technical knowledge and experience to inform approach including in assessing and mitigating risk to objects.
  • Generates ideas and actively contributes to problem solving. Works in an agile and calm manner and responds well to reactive working.
  • Experience of running a team and managing others, as well as project managing object installations or tasks.
  • Manages staff, time, resources, equipment and materials well.

Next Steps 

  • CV and Supporting Statement - If you would like to apply for this role, Please submit a CV and supporting statement of no more than 500 words demonstrating how your skills and experience meet all criteria on the Job Description.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.