Salary: from £24,856-£28,808 pa (depending on experience) + generous benefits package
Hours: Full time, 37.5h/week – we are open to discussion on flexible working
Locations: based at one of our four offices: Silsoe, Leeds, Hereford, Edinburgh.
Contract Type: 2x permanent, subject to six-month probation. 2x fixed term minimum 6 months then to be reviewed.
Closing Date: 3rd June 2024
Post-excavation Assistant (Archives): £24,856-£26,586 pa
Post-excavation Supervisor (Archives): £27,430-£28,808 pa
Headland Archaeology is offering an excellent opportunity for conscientious and enthusiastic people to join our Archives Team. There are both temporary and permanent positions available.
Why should you apply?
We are a privately owned archaeological business, part of the RSK Group, a leader in integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services. We provide heritage services to the development and construction sectors in UK and across the world. With four offices in England and one in Scotland, we offer our employees:
- Unique knowledge and expertise. For more than 20 years, Headland has provided not only business-focused archaeology but also people-focused business. We are highly respected within our industry for our achievements in innovation, tailor-made development coaching and training, and our expertise in commercial archaeology.
- Strong pioneering spirit. Our corporate culture is characterised by a healthy appetite for originality and development.
- Stable company with excellent growth. Over the years, we have demonstrated steady, positive economic development and formed successful partnerships.
- Good work environment. You will be surrounded by colleagues who are pleasant, professional, and enthusiastic about their work.
- Opportunity to influence. You get to work in an open climate, close to decision makers and with the possibility of making a difference.
- Part of RSK group. You will have further opportunities to become involved in nationally and internationally prominent projects with exciting prospects for career development. The group has c.12000 employees and c.200 environmentally lead companies.
In Headland we are proud of our people. We will support you to your meet your goals and train you in specific relevant skills to feel confident and succeed in your role.
The Role
We are looking to increase the size of our archiving team to meet the current demand in workload. To facilitate this we are looking for candidates who are self-motivated and conscientious with a passion for archiving. The roles will be mainly office based, dealing predominantly with archaeological archives: preparing paper, physical and digital archives to internal standards and the requirements of the relevant receiving bodies. They may also include basic finds, samples, data and other post-excavation tasks. For the Archives Supervisor role, it would also include providing training and supervision for junior staff in these areas, as well as the possibility of helping to coordinate and facilitate archiving logistics and storage. For the Supervisor role, demonstrable experience with a variety of archives is essential, but for the Assistant role a lower level of experience is expected and relevant training can be given. A level of support appropriate to the grade within the post will be provided to the successful candidate.
These roles may require the occasional travel to an alternate Headland office to give or receive training, and applicants should note that Headland Archaeology operates throughout the UK. There is also the potential for the development of skills with the possibility of Headland supporting training where the direction matches the company’s requirements.
The applicant must have a keen eye for detail and good organisational skills. They should have the ability to meet deadlines, be flexible and adapt to changing requirements. Good communication skills are essential. The applicant should also have the ability to work independently and within a wider team. We are looking for someone with enthusiasm and energy to join the team.
A clean UK driving license and a willingness to drive company vehicles is highly desirable.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Preparation and deposition of project archives (physical, documentary and digital)
- Undertake packaging, storage, transportation and handling of artefacts and ecofacts
- Preparation of site paperwork and toolkits
- Undertake processing of artefacts and ecofacts (animal bone, human remains)
- Undertake processing of environmental samples (including waterlogged samples)
- Undertake finds first aid
- Maintenance of processing equipment and processing area
- Completing site data entry (including finds and environmental data)
- Develop your own knowledge and skills
- Manage your time and other resources so that you can meet your objectives within the allocated budget
- Undertake other post-excavation tasks appropriate to your skills and knowledge
- Supervisor only:
- Assist in the co-ordination of archiving work
- Supervise and provide training and supervision for junior post-excavation staff and members of the fieldwork team for a variety of tasks, including the preparation of archives, processing of finds, and the storage and transportation of artefacts, ecofacts, environmental samples and paperwork.
- Provide information on regionally specific archive requirements to members of the post-excavation and fieldwork teams
Essential skills:
- Undergraduate degree in archaeology or related discipline and/or some relevant fieldwork experience.
- General working knowledge of the archaeology (all periods, materials and techniques) of the British Isles
- Basic understanding of UK archiving procedures and standards
- Experience in processing of artefacts/ecofacts and/or environmental samples
- Adherence to safe working practices, in particular to hazards associated with artefactual and environmental work
- IT skills, including databases and MS Office
- A good eye for detail and ability to accurately observe and record label, package and follow instructions
- Good communication skills and the ability to work alone or with a team
- Be passionate, motivated and excited about what you do!
Desired skills:
- Knowledge and experience of archaeological archiving work
- Knowledge of issues surrounding finds first aid, conservation, packaging and long-term storage
- Full clean driving license (and a willingness to drive company vehicles)
- Membership of the CIfA at least at Practitioner level
Benefits we offer you:
- Competitive paid subsistence when applicable
- Paid accommodation when applicable
- Use of cutting edge technology on site, e.g. paperless systems, iPads etc.
- Ongoing regular training in various areas e.g. Health & Safety, Technical areas and Transferable skills
- Time off in lieu for time worked above standard hours or overtime paid
- Discretionary annual profit bonus & performance-related bonus schemes (Terms and conditions apply)
- 28 days annual leave, rising based on service length (including public holidays)
- Extra annual leave purchase scheme
- 5%-6% employer contribution to pension scheme
- Income Protection Policy, after a year with Headland
- Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 4 times your annual salary, after a year with Headland
- Regular performance, wellbeing & professional development check-ins
- Referral scheme with generous fee
- A support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders
- Regular offers through RSK Group (e.g. Tastecard, Gym membership discount, Holidays and Entertainment)
- Health support scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (advice on finance, mental health etc)
- Paid CIfA membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Being part of RSK Group
Headland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
How to apply
You must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to your commencement.
Send covering letter and CV to Charlotte Self at ‘jobs@headlandarchaeology.com’ quoting the relevant reference:
- For the Post-Excavation (Archives) Supervisor Role: PXA-S24.
- For the Post-Excavation (Archives) Assistant Role: PXA-A24.
Postal applications will not be accepted. Details of references should include their name, relationship to the applicant, postal address, email address and phone number.
Informal inquiries concerning the role can be made to Charlotte Self – charlotte.self@headlandarchaeology.com