Job title: Curator of Natural Science (job share)
Salary: £34,834 - £36,648 (pro rata)
Hours: 22.33
Contract: Permanent
Location: Based at Leeds Discovery Centre with work at Leeds City Museum and other Leeds Museums & Galleries’ sites.
As a curator of Natural Science, you’ll thrive on sharing your specialist knowledge to understand and interpret our collections and share this with our audiences.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.
About you
As a Curator of Natural Science, you will bring to the role:
A specialism in at least one area of the LMG Natural Science collection.
A clear understanding of audience engagement, particularly in relation to museums, galleries, historic houses and their collections.
An ability to develop excellent working relationships with colleagues, partner organisations and other Leeds City Council departments.
Knowledge of Collections Management issues.
Educated to degree level, professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience.
About the role
The Designated collection of natural science comprises around 800,000 specimens and is hugely diverse in terms of subject area, specimen type and taxonomic range. The Curator will be responsible, as part of a job-share, for the development, care and interpretation of this important collection, facilitating access with audiences and supporting our learning and community programmes. The collections are primarily displayed in the Life on Earth gallery at Leeds City Museum and in the publicly accessible collections store at Leeds Discovery Centre.
The role is integral to Leeds Museums & Galleries’ Collections & Programmesteam, including delivery on work focused on environmental responsibility. Working collaboratively with colleagues across Leeds Museums and Galleries, Leeds City Council, external partners and communities to maximise the impact of our collections and the experiences of our audiences is an important aspect of the role.
Leeds Museums and Galleries is one of the largest local authority-run museum service in the country and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Job Purpose
To be responsible for the development, care, access and interpretation of the relevant collections and to develop exhibitions, events and educational activities in order to appeal to all sections of the community and visitors to the city.
Responsibilities
To be responsible for the care, maintenance and preservation of the relevant collections both on display and in storage.
To work in partnership with site, learning, conservation and technical colleagues to implement and suggest exhibitions, learning and display proposals and ensure the best possible presentation of the collection focusing on the access needs of the audience while ensuring the safety of the collection.
Working with the Registrar and Collections Manager, adhere to all agreed collections management standards and procedures.
Advise on acquisitions, loans and disposals in accordance with the Collections Development policy, prepare funding applications and maintain and develop all necessary collection records both electronic and manual. Courier collection loans where necessary. Liaise with other collections both locally and further afield holding related material and to cultivate appropriate relations with collectors.
Line manage any Assistant Curators, project funded staff and volunteers. Participate in the briefing and training of front of house staff, guides and others as relevant.
Participate in setting up of exhibitions and displays including the hanging and placing of objects working with technicians, conservators and others as necessary.
Be responsible for the interpretation of the collections in your care including through displays, publications, lectures, events and other outreach work and participation in the learning and engagement programme.
Research and write accessible texts for use in exhibitions, catalogues, marketing and other publications as appropriate.
Undertake research, fieldwork and visits relevant to the collections and their documentation, development and interpretation.
Promote the positive image of the service at all times, work with Audience Development to advocate the value of the collections to key stakeholders, opinion formers, visitors and the people of Leeds through lectures, community engagement work, tours, displays, publications, loans and digital including responding to public, professional and academic enquiries and facilitating access to stored collections and records.
Work with the Commercial team to maximise the commercial and merchandising opportunities offered by the collections.
Collaborate with colleagues in the other museum services and to participate in appropriate professional networks for self-development and to represent the service. To develop partnerships with a wide range of institutions and organisations to further the service’s objectives.
Work across Leeds Museums and Galleries identifying and contributing to innovative collections based projects.
To be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health and Safety Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and our customers. Achieve recognised Health & Safety qualification specific to job need. Carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work as required.
To promote and apply consistently the principles of Leeds City Council Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policies both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities.
To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadline.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to develop excellent working relationships with colleagues, partner organisations and other Leeds City Council departments.
Ability to manage, motivate and develop teams and individuals, maintaining effective working relationships.
Ability to monitor and control resources.
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually and in groups at all appropriate levels.
Ability to use database applications for collections management.
Educated to degree level, professional vocational qualification within a relevant subject/area or equivalent experience.
A clear understanding of audience engagement, particularly in relation to museums, galleries, historic houses and their collections.
Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.
Knowledge of the requirements of the Heath & Safety and Equalities legislation.
Knowledge of Collections Management issues.
Awareness of the Museums Association’s Code of Ethics.
Knowledge of current thinking in relevant field.
Experience of working in a museum or gallery, paid or voluntary.
Experience of working with collections.
Experience of Collections Management.
Experience of object handling in a museum environment.
Experience of planning and delivering exhibitions & events with a wide variety of audiences.
Experience in managing resources.
Experience in managing and developing staff.
Experience of maintaining direct contact with users day-to-day involvement with service delivery and promotion.
Evidence of research skills.
Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships with community-based organisations.
Experience of working with diverse and less well accessed communities and cultural organisations.
Experience of national standards e.g. Spectrum.
Demonstrate an interest in the work of Leeds Museums and Galleries.
Willing to act as a keyholder for a nominated site.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.Apply for this job
