Documentation Officer

Documentation Officer
Royal Astronomical Society

UK, England, London

The Royal Astronomical Society is looking for a documentation officer working on a temporary, short-term basis to document the collection of instruments currently located in the Royal Astronomical Society's premises in Burlington House.

They would create an accurate inventory of objects mentioned in this list of instruments belonging to the Royal Astronomical Society published in 1986 (since this list was published, several of the items in Burlington House have been loaned, and several items on loan have been returned).

The inventory would be a useable, sustainable resource which would be a foundation for future activities, such as exhibition loans.

This is a temporary post for 140 hours of work.

The post holder will report to the librarian and will be based at Burlington House.

The working pattern can be flexible but the work must be carried out between 9.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and needs to be completed by the end of September 2016.

For informal enquiries please contact Sian Prosser on sp@ras.org.uk, or call (+44) (0)207 292 3963.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please send a CV and covering letter to Sian Prosser by midnight on Monday 2nd May, preferably by email to sp@ras.org.uk
Informal interviews will take place on Tuesday 10th May.

Main duties

- To audit and document the collection to SPECTRUM (2011) standards, assigning accession numbers and entering the collection into an accession register.

- To create a digital photographic record of significant objects in the collection, and to reconcile historic photographs with documentation.

- To reconcile paper and computer records relating to the collection, and reconcile all records with objects on display or in storage.

- To create object history files for each documented object.

- To mark the objects located in the collections at Burlington House with their relevant accession number, using an appropriate method for the object and its materials.

- To record location of items and implement a movement control procedure.

- To create records for any material found to be out on loan or not accounted for as part of the audit.

- To undertake basic supplementary research where necessary.

- To provide guidance concerning object condition and the appropriateness of storage and packaging, and assisting with packaging and relocation where necessary.

- To provide a procedural handover at the end of the project.

Person specification

Essential

- Postgraduate qualification in Museum or Archive studies, or equivalent practical experience in collections care and/or documentation (minimum of 2 years)

- Demonstrable IT and multimedia skills.

- Extensive knowledge of documentation procedures and current best practice, including a strong understanding of the SPECTRUM standard and its practical application.

- Knowledge of museum or archive collections management systems (e.g. Adlib, MODES etc.), and other methods of electronically cataloguing collections.

Desirable

- Experience of having worked with scientific instruments within a museum, historic collection or similar organisation.

- Experience of museum object condition reporting.