Historic Environment Records Assistant

Surrey County Council’s Historic Environment Planning Team (HEP) is looking for a new Historic Environment Records Assistant to join us in maintaining and developing the county’s Historic Environment Record (HER). The role entails a mix of project-specific work and routine tasks.

In this role, you will perform a range of specialist clerical duties to support the work of the HER Officer as well as the various Archaeological and Historic Buildings Officers of the HEP. These duties will include:

• Undertaking searches of the HER database and counterpart Geographical Information System (GIS) to collate and provide data for customers in a timely and accurate manner
• Adding new textual and GIS records to the HER based on published and unpublished research outputs as well as targeted enhancements of existing entries
• Acting as a first point of contact for members of the public, professional archaeologists, and commercial clients through receiving and responding to emailed enquiries
• Assisting the HER Officer in public outreach activities and potentially an HER volunteer programme.

In addition to these activities, HEP is in the early stages of an ambitious digitisation programme, involving the scanning and archiving of large amounts of paper-only reference material arising from the Surrey HER’s status as the most comprehensive record of archaeological sites, finds and historic monuments in the county. You will be expected to play a pivotal role in this programme across the two years of the contract.

To contribute to this key area of work, we are looking for a self-motivated person with strong attention to detail who can work on their own initiative as well as within a team. Applicants will have good organisational and communication skills, and previous experience or awareness of HERs through work, academic education, or research.

To be shortlisted to interview for this position your application (CV and personal statement) will clearly evidence:

• 5+ GCSEs
• A good knowledge of British archaeology plus awareness of public sector archaeology
• Excellent IT skills, including experience of GIS software and MS Access, and confidence in using Microsoft Office applications.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 23 January 2022 with interviews to follow. 

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Rob Briggs, Historic Environment Record Officer, at robert.briggs@surreycc.gov.uk or Tony Howe, County Historic Environment Planning Team Manager, at tony.howe@surreycc.gov.uk.

Please visit the listing on our website to apply for this role: Surrey County Council - Job details (surreycc.gov.uk)