Finds Liaison Assistant for the South West Heritage Trust
Location: The main work base will be Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton. There will be travel across Somerset, Devon and Dorset as part of the role.
Hours: 22.2 hours per week
Salary: £19100 per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2023 ( there maybe opportunity to extend this further) .
We are seeking a part-time Finds Liaison Assistant to join a small team which delivers the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) across three counties in the south west of England. This new role will work 3 days a week assisting the Portable Antiquities Scheme team.
The Finds Liaison Assistant post is a temporary role developed to help the PAS team identify and record archaeological finds and potential Treasure items reported. Records are created on the online national PAS database and include measurements, text descriptions and photographs. Recording needs to be accurate and consistent.
The FLA will also assist with the implementation of the Treasure Act (1996) and in carrying out the aims of the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
The FLA will be a good communicator, able to confidently talk and engage with a broad range of people and members of the public, attending events and outreach activities when necessary. The FLA will assist in the training, direction and effective management of volunteers, self-recorders and student placements.
The successful candidate must have demonstrable experience of identifying archaeological finds, experience of previous research into and/or publication of archaeological finds. They will also have experience of using databases. Knowledge of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Treasure Act (1996) is expected. This post works in partnership with the British Museum
You will be working in a small team to deliver this service across the counties and will need strong co-operative skills and the ability to liaise and work closely with other team members, finders, and wider PAS staff and specialist advisers.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by the public, including metal detector users, to advance archaeological knowledge and to increase opportunities for active public involvement in archaeology.
The South West Heritage Trust works in partnership with Dorset Council, Devon County Council, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (Exeter City Council) and the British Museum to deliver the PAS across Somerset, Dorset and Devon.
The postholder will be based at the Somerset Heritage Centre but will be required to travel throughout the three counties, including locations inaccessible by public transport, working some out of hours’ time. This travel will be financially supported as part of the role.
This is a fixed term appointment.
Please visit the website https://www.swheritage.org.uk/vacancies to read the Job Description and Person Specification. Applications for the position should be made using the form provided. CVs are not accepted for this position.
We recommend you contact Ciorstaidh Hayward-Trevarthen, Senior Finds Liaison Officer, on 01305 228254 or e-mail finds@swheritage.org.uk for an informal discussion prior to applying.
Closing date:.13/09/2022
Interview date: 20/09/2022
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