Collections Management Support Assistant

**Job Purpose**
The Collections Management Support Assistant will assist the Curator of the Scientific and Medical History Collections (S&MHC) in all aspects of the day-to-day moving, checking, assessment, care and documentation of this part of The Hunterian collections both in storage and display on several sites on and off the University campus. The postholder will assist the curator in a variety of virtual and physical learning environments for the delivery of PGT and other programmes. The postholder will provide ongoing, specific and assistive support to the Curator of S&MHC, who has a disability, to enable them to undertake the key physical, manual, database and routine administrative activities of this Curator role.
Assist with relevant S&MHC collections management activities on and off campus; including collection moves, installations and loans. The post-holder will be required to provide an effective service, and clear advice and support to colleagues and clients, and the ability not only to plan and prioritise own work activities but to react to changing issues/priorities as required.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
- To assist the Curator, as part of the Collections Management and Care team, with specific collections storage maintenance, access, inventory, and reorganisation activities.
- To assist the Curator in the physical handling, moving, and labelling of items in the S&MHC collections in accordance with best practice in collections care, and health and safety regulations; including unpacking and quarantine of collection items entering Kelvin Hall.
- To assist the Curator in the maintenance and update of records in EMu, the Hunterian’s collections management system, to record collection moves, use, etc. This will include taking and uploading digital photographs; scanning and photocopying images and other documents; retrieving and opening mail and files.
- To assist the Curator and the Collections Management and Care Team by recording environmental and conservation issues relating to the collections in the relevant database.
- To assist and support the Curator in the delivery of PGT and other teaching programmes. This will include checking and correcting closed-caption and online transcriptions, managing breakout rooms, filming and editing films for teaching, downloading and running films, carrying out searches online, monitoring and responding to online chat, etc. In person this will include collating notes, including photocopying and scanning publications, handling objects, and offering physical assistance during the session.
- To assist the Curator at meetings and in day-to-day activities by exercising judgement in the capturing of clear and effective notes and agreed actions. This will also include attending online and in-person conferences and workshops, and library and archive research trips.
- To enable the Curator to respond to public and academic enquiries regarding the S&MH Collections, by providing assistance in making the collections available for research, teaching and display purposes. This includes moving relevant items from where they are stored to a designated area for inspection.

**Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience**

**Knowledge/Qualifications**

**Essential**
A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 5 or 6 (National 5 or 6, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 2 or 3) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

**Desirable**
B1 Knowledge of scientific and medical history and objects.
B2 Familiarity with the identification of environmental and preventative conservation issues in a museum context.
B3 Knowledge and understanding of Data Protection in relation to permissions/consent to ensure images/recordings are retained, stored, and accessed in a secure manner by authorised personnel
B4 Full UK driving licence with experience of regular driving.

**Skills**

**Essential**
C1 Authoritative and practical understanding of current best practice in collections management and care in large multi-disciplinary museums.
C2 Excellent interpersonal skills.
C3 Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with attention to detail.
C4 Good level of IT competence including familiarity with databases, Microsoft Office, and Zoom, including utilising breakout rooms, recording and editing meeting transcripts, monitoring chat functionality, etc.
C5 Ability to use a digital camera and/or smartphone for filming, recording and editing.
C6 Manual handling skills
C7 Ability to capture effective notes/minutes of meetings.

**Desirable**
D1 Demonstrable skills in the use of collections management systems.

**Experience**

**Essential**
E1 Experience of effective note taking
E2 Experience of working with and maintaining records/data entry systems.

**D