The Access and Public Engagement Branch is the public face of the National Archives of Australia, delivering reference, description and research services, examination for the release of records in the open period, exhibition, education and public programs, publishing (including digital publishing), marketing, partnerships and events on site at national and state offices, and online. All programs and activities support the key National Archives’ role of providing an accessible, visible and interpreted national archival collection.

The Description and Personal Records Section is responsible for description of the national archival collection at item level. This provides the foundation from which operational and service delivery including storage, lending and retrieval, reference services, access examination, public programs, digitisation and preservation can occur.

Under limited direction the main duties of the role are to:

• Undertake collection surveys including research, analysis and proposing solutions to improve and enhance the discoverability and description of records. Draft project documentation and guidelines to improve and enhance collection descriptions.
• Undertake and advise on the complex arrangement and description of records. Liaise and collaborate with staff in other sections, survey records, take initiative, problem solve, propose solutions, describe and re-house records.
• Support and undertake description related project work as part of a team and perform administrative tasks including planning, reporting and evaluating projects.
• Assist with drafting, implementing and promoting policies and procedures relating to description.
• Communicate effectively and negotiate confidently, both orally and in writing. Respond to complex archival description enquiries and maintain and develop effective professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work independently and collaboratively as an effective team member. Supervise, support and manage the performance of staff and volunteers.
• Adopt a principled approach and adhere to the APS Values and Code of Conduct. Applies the principles of workplace diversity, work health and safety and participative management within a work and team environment. Act professionally and operate within the boundaries of organisational processes and legal and public policy constraints. Operates as an effective representative of the organisation in internal forums.
• Promote and apply the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in Strategy 2030 and Our Values.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the role you must be an Australian citizen. If you are selected, you will be required to successfully undergo a pre-employment check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a Negative Vetting 1 clearance level.

You must also be able to meet the physical requirements of repetitive, sedentary, screen-based work and/or pack, sort, lift and relocate records in accordance with established work health and safety practices and archival principles.

How to apply

You need to apply through our e-recruitment system.

Your application will need to include:

• the names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom should be a current supervisor;
• your current resume; and
• a statement (500 word maximum), describing how your skills, knowledge, and experience/qualifications would enable you to perform the duties of the role taking into account the “Performance Expectations” at the relevant classification and the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in Strategy 2030 and Our Values.