National Archives of Ireland - Senior Conservator

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is seeking applications from suitable candidates to fill positions for the post of Senior Conservator on a permanent basis in the National Archives of Ireland. The National Archives of Ireland is based in Bishop Street, Dublin 8.

The National Archives is a statutory body within the Civil Service with responsibility for preserving and making publicly available the archival records of central government, including Departments of State, the courts, and a range of other State bodies. It was established in 1988, when the National Archives Act, 1986 came into operation. The National Archives operates under the control and management of the Director, who is appointed by and answers to the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.

The National Archives now seeks to recruit suitably qualified conservators with an interest in in the preservation and conservation of records held in its collections.

The Role

Under the lead of the Senior Conservator, the role of the Conservation Department is to work across all divisions in the organisation ensuring records in our collections are subject to on-going preservation and conservation work as well as ensuring that new accessions are surveyed prior to any archival work being undertaken as well as inputting into their long-term safe storage and maintenance. The Conservation Department is also involved in all digitsation projects.

It is expected that this competition will fill a number of positions on a permanent basis.

The duties of Senior Conservator in the National Archives include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop, maintain and lead on a programme of preventative preservation and conservation needs and devise planned programmes of work with clear prioritisation criteria based on strategic goals and objectives;
• Develop in conjunction with the Keeper (Public Services & Collections) work identified in the annual work programme in line with strategic goals and objectives;
• Conduct condition assessments and surveys of items and collections, and advise on conservation needs and option;
• Develop viable and sustainable solutions specific to the National Archives collections carry out conservation treatments according to professional standards;
• Co-ordinate workflows and manage daily operation of the conservation workroom.
• Perform and document complex conservation treatments on selected items within the collection according to the agreed programme and to exercise oversight of all conservation work;
• Assess and prepare material for digitisation;
• Manage the conservation work areas, materials and equipment, including responsibility for security and registers of controlled substances and health and safety-related matters; to manage supplies;
• Provide advice and support to departments and bodies covered by the National Archives Act;
• Contribute to the drafting of policy and annual report;
• Provide professional best practice advice, guidance and training where appropriate relating to the management, storage and handling of collections, including displays
• Manage the work, training and development of skills of the conservation staff and others as appropriate;
• Liaise with and provide support and advice to externally-funded work and to manage and carry out quality assurance of work of contract conservators;
• Lead on the environmental monitoring of the National Archives premises and off-site storage facilities with a view to recommending and carrying out intervention as needed;

Maintain the National Archives Disaster Recovery Plan and play a leading part in the implementation of the plan in the event of an emergency incident;

• Be an advocate for the work of the department through the National Archives website and social media platforms, and engagement with relevant professional organisations;
• Contribute to and represent the National Archives on external networks/projects where appropriate;
• Any other duties identified by the Keeper of Public Services & Collections.

Please note that the above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive.

Information Booklet

Please download the attached information booklet for further information on eligibility and requirements.

Application Form

If you would like to apply for this Senior Conservator post, please download the attached application form.

Once the application form is completed, you can send it in via email to Personnel@tcagsm.gov.ie

Applications must be received by the department no later than 12pm on Tuesday, 19th April, 2022.

If you cannot download a copy of the application form or information booklet, please send a request to the email address above and we will email a copy to you.

Privacy Statement

Please see attached privacy statement in relation to personal data provided for this competition.