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| Job Title: |
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Collections Care Officer |
| Organisation: |
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The Edward James Foundation |
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| Salary: |
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£16,524 p.a. |
| Type: |
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Part-Time Position (21)
Contract: Permanent |
| Location: |
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West Sussex, England |
| Closing Date: |
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Tuesday, 27th October 2026 |
| Job Ref No: |
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| | | | | Other Benefits: | | • Generous contributory pension scheme, matching from 4% to 7.5%
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free entry to West Dean Gardens
• Discounts on retail goods in our two shops in Sussex
• Free and discounted places on short courses at West Dean College
• Free use of West Dean, Sussex, facilities including swimming pool, library, and tennis courts
• Subsidised bed and breakfast rates for the Sussex campus | | | | |
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| Job Description |
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About the Role
We are looking for a Collections Care Officer to join our Collections team at West Dean. Reporting to the Collections Manager, you will play a key role in caring for and protecting our unique historic collections, interiors and archives, supporting their long-term preservation and access.
You will help develop and implement effective collections care procedures in line with recognised museum and archives standards, undertaking regular condition checks and monitoring environmental conditions, light levels and pest activity. You will also maintain accurate collections records and support preventative conservation across the College.
A key part of the role will be sharing your knowledge with others. You will provide practical training and guidance to colleagues, students and volunteers, working alongside the School of Conservation to support hands-on learning and promote a strong culture of collections care.
You will also support access to the collections, including tours, inductions, research visits, exhibitions, object movements and loans. Working collaboratively with Housekeeping and other teams, you will help ensure historic interiors and objects are cared for using appropriate conservation methods and materials.
This is a varied, hands-on role offering an exciting opportunity to contribute to the care and development of West Dean's exceptional collections within a unique heritage and educational environment. |
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| Required Skills / Qualifications |
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To be successful in this role, you will need:
We are looking for someone with relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in collections care, conservation, heritage, museum studies or a related field. You will have practical knowledge of preventative conservation, including the safe handling, cleaning, storage and display of historic collections, as well as environmental monitoring, pest management and condition assessment.
You will be organised, methodical and attentive to detail, with a proactive and practical approach to caring for collections. Excellent communication skills are essential, as you will work with colleagues, students, volunteers, visitors and external contractors, and may provide guidance or training to others.
You will be confident using IT and collections management systems, with strong record-keeping and documentation skills. Experience of working in a museum, historic house, archive, gallery or similar heritage environment would be desirable, as would knowledge of historic interiors, exhibitions, loans, emergency planning or Museum Accreditation.
Above all, you will have a genuine enthusiasm for heritage and conservation, a commitment to safe working practices and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a busy and varied environment. |
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| Application Instructions |
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How to Apply
If you are passionate about heritage, collections care and conservation and are excited by the opportunity to join the team at West Dean, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our Careers page to find out more about the role and submit your application online. Application Link:
https://www.westdean.ac.uk/work-for-us |
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