Digital Archivist
Job Description
Department Digital Archiving
Reports to Senior Digital Archivist
Manages Junior staff and contractors as appropriate
Band Band E
Location Kew, some remote working
Job Purpose
Are you seeking to develop a career in a world leading institution using your skills and
experience to meet the challenges presented by digital records and to take part in a revolution
in archival practice?
The National Archives collects and secures the future of the public record, preserving it for the
nation and making it as accessible and available as possible. Our collection is one of the
largest in the world, containing over 11 million historical records from medieval parchment to
modern papers, digital documents, datasets and tweets. The records we collect are
increasingly created, managed and transferred to us digitally.
Our Digital Archivists manage digital public records through transfer to the archive, access to
creating bodies and the public, and digital preservation and access.
They analyse and prepare digital records and metadata for our digital archive, which requires
keeping abreast of the evolving challenges of preserving increasingly complex born-digital
materials, and handling high volume born digital records or outputs from large-scale
digitisation projects.
The team undertake research activities, engaging externally to share knowledge and learn
from others. They contribute to the development of archival practice in key areas such as
digital transfer, digital preservation and the presentation and contextualisation of digital
records.
You will work in close collaboration with our in-house product management and software
development teams to build and improve our suite of innovative digital preservation tools.
This includes DROID and PRONOM, and our archivists regularly undertake file-format research
activities to grow the capabilities of these products.
Role and Responsibilities
In this role you will:
▪ Develop and maintain your knowledge and understanding of digital archiving and the
transfer, preservation and presentation of digital archival records.
▪ Manage newly transferred born-digital records, from engaging with creating bodies and
receipt at the archive through to release to the public and ongoing digital preservation.
This includes preparing records for preservation, ensuring that they meet our
standards, and ingesting them into our systems.
▪ Investigate and resolve technical issues throughout the process, engaging and
communicating with internal and external stakeholders throughout.
▪ Develop your skills in the use of digital applications such as data processing and
analysis tools, and scripting languages such as Python.
▪ Carry out file format research and support regular releases of new format signatures to
improve the quality and range of content in our world-renowned PRONOM file format
registry.
▪ Contribute to projects and initiatives relating across a variety of operational and
research activities. Identify challenges, find solutions, and work with colleagues to
deliver results to tight deadlines.
▪ Assist with the administrative and communications requirements of the department,
including monitoring and responding to user enquiries and investigating and escalating
issues as required.
▪ Work in close collaboration with in-house software and product teams on the ongoing
development of digital preservation tools and systems.
▪ Work as a positive and engaged member of a team. Share your knowledge, learn from
others, lead the delivery of work, motivate and manage team members as required.
Working Conditions
▪ Hybrid Working – 3 days a week on site, usually at our Kew location
▪ Display Screen Equipment user
Person Specification
Essential:
▪ Digital Preservation Demonstrable knowledge of Digital Preservation and ability to
apply this in the role to meet archival requirements and contribute to solutions. You
will have a formal digital archiving qualification or equivalent experience gained in an
archive, library or similar setting.
▪ Delivering Initiatives Experience of participating in projects and initiatives. Excellent
interpersonal and team-working skills and experience of applying learning and
extending knowledge by delivering specific tasks, projects, or elements of complex
projects.
▪ Researching Experience of working on research projects and making evaluations,
knowing what information to collect, and where to find it and how to disseminate the
outputs of the research.
▪ Team Working Works as an engaged and motivated member of a team. Provides
advice and direction to less experienced staff. Delivers against agreed objectives or
project outcomes; contributes to a positive, motivated working environment. Able to
line manage junior staff or contractors as required.
▪ Analytical Skills A passion for developing expertise and knowledge, with experience of
learning new technical skills quickly and effectively sharing this knowledge with others.
Demonstrable experience of applying knowledge and experience to solve often
complex problems, sometimes resulting in process change.
▪ Taking Actions Able to carry out digital archiving activities such as manging born-digital
record transfers, file format research, processing large volumes of files and data,
facilitating access such as for FOI requests, and assisting transferring bodies with issues
arising with their records.
▪ Communication Excellent IT, numeracy, oral and written communication skills. To
include giving verbal updates to senior stakeholders and writing and presenting reports,
including to non-technical stakeholders.
▪ Advice and Guidance Works with others within and outside The National Archives to
gather information, resolve problems, and provide advice and guidance on matters
relating to the effective preservation of digital records.
Desirable:
Experience of working in and alongside an Agile software development environment.
Other Requirements
▪ Security clearance (SC) is required for this role.
▪ A combination of onsite and home working is available, and applicants should be able
to regularly travel to our Kew site.
We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community and from
people of diverse ages, experience and backgrounds, including people with disabilities. We are keen to explore
the widest possible pool of talent for all our roles. Applications for part-time or flexible working are welcomed.