Portable Antiquities Scheme Internship (covering North Wales based in Liverpool) Cheshire, Greater Manchester & Merseyside

This job is no longer available, it expired on the Friday 7th August 2015

Salary: £ 16,803 (pro rata)

Job Title: Portable Antiquities Scheme Internship for North Wales (Funded by the Headley Trust)

Reporting To: Finds Liaison Officer for Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside.

Grade: payband 3 point 0

Fixed Term (23 week contract)
18.5 hours per week
Payband 3: £16,803 (pro-rata)

Main Purpose of the Job

To liaise with finders of archaeological objects in the North Wales helping to improve relationships with metal detectorists in the area, through the outreach programme including Finds Days, visits to the local metal detector clubs and other public events, and help maintain the high level of service required by the PAS.
To record and identify objects reported from North Wales to the Portable Antiquities Scheme on the PAS database www.finds.org.uk/database
To photograph and edit using GIMP objects reported in order to record them on the database.
To reduce the current backlog for North Wales by recording and improving old records.
To assist the Finds Liaison Officer for Wales in clearing backlog tasks.
To assist in the Treasure process under the 1996 Treasure Act for objects reported from North Wales.

Background Information

The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is a voluntary scheme for the recording of archaeological artefacts found by members of the public. The scheme was established to promote the recording of chance finds to increase public awareness of the importance of such objects for understanding our past. Established in 1997 the PAS has now expanded to cover the whole of England and Wales and has become the UK’s largest community archaeology project.

A 23 weeks part-time internship is being offered based with National Museums Liverpool to develop the skills needed to become a Finds Liaison Officer within the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Training and career development will be provided, both locally and in London. You will learn to identify and record archaeological objects. This will involve photographing objects, editing these images and creating records on the online database (available at www.finds.org.uk). You will be asked to visit metal detecting clubs to record and collect finds. You will also be required to deal with enquiries from members of the public, and to assist at outreach events such as rallies and finds days which may occur during the course of the internship.

With a degree in archaeology or equivalent in a related subject and experience in working with archaeological finds, you will have good communication skills. Knowledge of small finds is extremely desirable. Experience of working with a computer database and Photoshop/GIMP is essential as is a methodical approach to your work. Candidates will also be expected to have an awareness of issues relating to metal-detecting and archaeology.

Due to the nature of the job it is essential that you can work some evenings and weekends. A driving licence and transport is essential. You will be based in the Piolatage building, Museum of Liverpool, on a 23 week contract at 2.5 - 3 days per week.

Please apply through: https://cascadeonline.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/VacancyDetails.aspx?VacancyID=173

Closing date for applications is noon on 07th August 2015

Advert went live on: Friday 24th July 2015