## Job Description Job Title Digital Archiving Assistant

Department 
Digital Preservation 
Reports to 
Services Manager 
Band 
D 
Salary 
£20,450 - £25,450 plus excellent benefits 

Overall job purpose The Digital Preservation Department is responsible for the permanent preservation of born-digital records transferred to The National Archives from government departments. It is responsible for two central services: the PRONOM Technical Registry service, which provides information on digital file formats and their preservation; and the Digital Repository Service, which enables the transfer and long term preservation of selected government records in digital format. The department is also responsible for producing presentation copies of archived digital records, which are then passed to other systems/services to be made available to users online wherever technically possible. You will play an important role in supporting both the transfer and preservation activities of the Digital Preservation Department. You will form part of a team that manages the technical elements of the transfer process of digital records from government departments to The National Archives, using our Digital Repository Transfer system. You will also assist with providing advice to both government and the general public, and will help to deal with inquiries relating to the Digital Preservation services. 

Role and responsibilities In this role you will: 
 

 Work with other government departments and the Information Management 
and Practice Department (who manage the transfer of records to The National Archives) to transfer digital records into the Digital Archive. 
 
 Work closely with the Services Manager to train users from other government 
departments on the Digital Transfer System. Ensure that colleagues within The National Archives are given support and advice on the use of the system and the processes involved in transfer. 
 
 Assist with the analysis of digital records (and their supporting IT systems in 
other government departments) proposed for transfer to The National Archives to ascertain the key functional attributes required for preservation. 
 
 Provide analysis and support for the processing of metadata prior to and 
during the transfer process, and assist with the efficient evaluation and resolution of technical issues relating to the transfer process. 

Develop and maintain a high degree of knowledge and understanding of 
digital records and possible ways to archive them. 
 
 Contribute to the development of advice and guidance for the transfer and 
preservation of digital records (objects and metadata), including the provision 
of clear explanations of complex technical ideas. 
 Assist with the communications requirements of the department, including 
monitoring and responding to user inquiries.  Develop a high level of understanding of the needs of stakeholders, in order to share information in the most effective way. 
 Provide other project and service support as required. 

## Person Specification Key:

 
 Experience  - Graduate level qualification in Archives (with a digital focus), 
Information Science or Computing, or demonstrable equivalent level of vocational experience with digital information 
 Demonstrable understanding of the principles of digital preservation and a self 
evident passion and enthusiasm for the field 
 
 Communication skills - proven ability to write clearly and concisely, and the 
ability to explain and present complex technical ideas effectively to a non technical audience 
 
 Quick learner - proven ability to quickly learn new skills and how to use new IT 
systems, and to quickly and effectively pass on the newly assimilated skills and knowledge to others 
 
 Interpersonal skills - proven ability to interact professionally with a variety of 
stakeholders including team members, other Government Departments and the general public  
 
 Analysis– proven ability to analyse information in detail to understand its 
structure, form and purpose, and to subsequently evaluate and draw conclusions from that knowledge 
 
 Problem solving - proven ability to evaluate and understand issues and 
problems, and to pro-actively ensure their effective resolution 
 
 Time management and self-organisation skills - proven ability to work to tight 
deadlines, manage competing priorities and adapt to changing demands Desirable: 
 Development - proven commitment to personal and technical development, 
including a willingness to keep up to date with innovations in the Digital 
Preservation area 
 Demonstrable understanding of archival cataloguing systems 
 
 Demonstrable understanding of file formats 

## Health And Safety Risk Assessment

Normal office environment 
Location 
Kew, West London 
Working arrangement 
Full-time, Permanent 
Starting salary 
£20,450 - £25,450 plus generous benefits package, including pension, childcare vouchers, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, subsidised staff restaurant and opportunities for training and development. 
How to apply 
Please use the following link to download an application form: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/applicati onform.doc and email it along with your supporting statement to careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk. 
Please quote reference number **1391** in the subject line. 
Supporting statement 
Please explain how you meet each point on the person specification. You may draw on knowledge, skills, 
abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section. Please put your name and post applied for on each sheet. 
For further information 
Please contact the Recruitment Team on 020 8392 5335. 
Nationality rules 
Applicants must be British or Commonwealth citizens with the right to live and work in the UK, or nationals of states of the European Union. 
Closing date 
Monday 25th January 2010 at midday 
Interviews 
Wednesday 3rd February 2010