As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it’s where we go next that makes things really interesting .
In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won’t become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.
That’s where you come in. Because we can’t do this without you.
Job Overview
Salary: £26,004 per annum, pro rataContract type: permanent, part time (21.6 hours per week)
Band: B / Administrative Officer
Closing date: Tuesday 2nd September at midnight
Are you passionate about working in security and invigilation? Do you have a recognised security qualification or the willingness to obtain one? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
As a custodian of our collection, you will be a team player with outstanding interpersonal skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and experience in delivering excellent customer service. You will also be highly motivated, adaptable, and well-organised, with a diligent and methodical approach.
In this role, you will work collaboratively with the Front of House Team in a busy environment and act as an ambassador for The National Archives when welcoming visitors and users of our services.
On any given day you will undertake varied duties within the Reading Room environment, such as managing the entrance points for the Document Reading Room and the Map and Large Document Reading Room, monitoring CCTV and undertaking security patrols of the designated areas.
The working pattern this part-time position is:
- Tuesday 10:50-19:02
- Wednesday 08:50-17:02
- Thursday 10:50-19:02.
This role requires on site presence and is not suitable for home working.
Join us here in beautiful Kew, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Overground and Underground stations, and you can expect an excellent range of benefits. They include a pension, discounts with local businesses (e.g. beauty salons and bars) and wellbeing resources. We also have an on-site gym, restaurant, shop and staff bar.
If you are ready to take on this rewarding role, apply now and become a part of our dedicated team at The National Archives!
Application Process:
- Interview: Interviews will be held on-site
- 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 below so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.
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.
Sponsorship:
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Job Description
Job Purpose
The National Archives is the archive for England, Wales and the United Kingdom. It holds documents ranging from the Domesday Book, Magna Carta and similar iconic records and artefacts to modern government records that have been selected for permanent preservation.
The Document Services Department (DSD) is responsible for the First Point of Customer Contact (FPOCC), document storage and production, and invigilation of The National Archives collection. The collection currently exceeds 11 million documents and expands each year.
As part of the Reader Invigilation Team, your first responsibility is as custodians of the collection, ensuring their preservation and security but you will also serve a vital role in helping all of our Readers make the most of their visit.
Role and Responsibilities
Main Duties:
On any given day the job holder will undertake varied duties within the Reading Room environment, such as managing the entrance points for the Document Reading Room and the Map and Large Document Reading Room, monitoring CCTV and undertaking security patrols of the designated areas.
Undertaking invigilation duties, you will be responsible for ensuring the security of TNA Reading Rooms, managing our visitor’s expectations and the protection of our documents through close invigilation and direct reader interaction.
You will interact with the public and staff offering advice to how they should handle rare and unique public records and when required, enforce the rules accordingly.
To be efficient, courteous and friendly, helpful and responsive to our customers’ needs at all times. To be able to assist all of our internal/external customers with a ‘can do’ attitude.
Monitoring computer based security systems; in particular, CCTV monitoring of the Reading Rooms and other internal public areas.
To record any incidents or infringements of the rules on the Invigilation log on a daily basis.
To be physically fit so as to be able undertake patrols up to 2km each day.
In the event of an incident; you will produce comprehensive and factually based incident and occurrence reports.
Incident Management:
Undertake specific duties and procedures in the event of any emergency situation that may arise; including the evacuation and securing of the building.
Working Conditions
Normal office working environment; though you will be working within large open plan reading rooms or security control rooms. Internally, lone patrols are also undertaken.
Display Screen Equipment user
Moving items up to 10kg in weight
May come into contact with distressing material
Person Specification
Essential criteria:
Willingness to undertake a recognised security qualification; SIA CCTV Operator
Previous experience in a customer facing role dealing directly with the public.
Excellent face to face communication; including influencing, negotiating and people engagement skills.
Able to remain calm when under pressure or in a difficult situation.
Ability to work as part of team, as well as independently.
Basic IT skills with a working knowledge of the range of MS office packages and knowledge of electronic security systems and CCTV
To be physically fit with good eyesight and an attention to detail; corrected vision (glasses or contact lenses) are acceptable.
Desirable criteria:
Previous invigilation experience in a Museum or Gallery.
A sound working knowledge of security best practice and legislation affecting the security role.
A First Aid qualification
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is
found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service
D&I Strategy .
Benefits
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. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.
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/ ( opens in new window)
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 ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section 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 pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)
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 new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in 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 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.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative . (opens in new window)
Contact point for applicants:
Name: The National Archives 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 https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)