Job Purpose

We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays it's part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Collections Technician to help us care for the most comprehensive collection of artefacts relating to the history of the Canals over the last three hundred years. The collection which is designated by the Arts Council as nationally significant, consists of a range of social and industrial history items including over fifty boats and working engines displayed or stored in a number of locations around the network. 

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

About the role

Your role is to conserve and maintain the collection to museum standards, manage the Assistant technician and volunteers helping you with this work programme, as well as provide more general technical advice/support for exhibitions and displays generally.  Some driving will be required in moving objects for display between different locations.

Ideally you will bring practical craft / engineering skills with you and/or experience of working in a museum in a similar capacity.  Preferably you will also have an understanding of conservation practices and the care of objects within a museum setting.

Key Responsibilities

Working with the Collections Manager, undertake key duties associated with the maintenance, upkeep of the museum collection in line with conservation guidelines

Ensure that collections in store and on display are maintained to a high quality undertaking conservation and repair as necessary

Assist with the installation of temporary exhibitions, displays and projects involving collections as required across the canal network .

Contribute to the highest level of visitor service engagement whilst working in public areas.

Manage the museum reserve collection stores, ensuring best practice guidelines are adhered to.

Supporting loans and object movement by preparing objects for transport, wrapping and packing

Supervise volunteer teams involved in collections care and maintenance .

Ensure that relevant Health & Safety documentation is in place and followed for all activity .

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

A qualification in Collections Care & Conservation or at minimum with experience working with collections in a museum environment

A passion for engaging audiences with collections.

Good literacy and numeracy skills

Valid driving licence 

IT proficiency including Microsoft Office

Experience of working with volunteers with an ability and desire to engage with volunteers and colleagues alike

An effective communicator

Strong organisational and planning skills 

37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.  Based within reasonable commute/access of our  Ellesmere Port location. 

Applications: closes 7 January 2022 at 23:59

What We Offer

In addition to your annual salary of up to £25,500 DOE, we offer great holiday entitlement,  a generous DC contributory pension scheme and other benefits. Further details can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits).

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community. All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations.  Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.