Digital Project Archivist

Full Time, Fixed Term for 2 years.

A fantastic opportunity is now available for a temporary Digital Project Archivist to join the friendly team at Bristol Archives (Bristol City Council). You will be based at B Bond Warehouse at the western end of the harbourside with superb views across to Avon Gorge and Suspension Bridge.  

This two year post is kindly funded by The National Archives (New Burdens 20 Year Rule Programme) and The National Archives (Archives Revealed Programme). Archives Revealed is a partnership programme between The National Archives, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund which helps unlock collections across the UK and build the skills needed to care for them into the future.  

What’s the role? 

You’ll play a key role in supporting Bristol Archives to deliver an outstanding Archives Service by assisting in the development, management and access of digital archives and digitised assets. You will initially report to our City Archivist whilst we complete recruitment of your line manager, who is our new Senior Archivist (Collections). You will work closely with our three permanent Archivists, Senior Archivist (Access & Engagement), as well as searchroom, Modern Records and museum colleagues. 

We are working towards UK Archive Service re-Accreditation later this year, which includes progressing plans to improve our existing provision for born-digital archives and digitised assets. You will assess current digital provision; undertake a Digital Asset Register; design a Digital Asset Management plan; work with council colleagues and external depositors to test out workflows; support senior staff to refresh digital strategy and policy, as well as building a business case for upscaled digital preservation infrastructure and storage. 

You will represent Bristol Archives at the newly formed SWigiPres (Southwest Digital Preservation community of practice, where Bristol Archives is a founding member). This role will also support the ongoing National Heritage Lottery Funded ‘Sounds of the Southwest’ audio heritage digitisation project which has Bristol Archives as its lead partner. 

What are we looking for? 

You will have a post grad qualification in archive administration (or equivalent), or equivalent qualification or experience. You will also have up-to-date understanding of issues current in the archive, records management and digital preservation sectors, as well as knowledge and experience of best practice in digital preservation, including experience of working with the preservation and access of digital material. 

You will have experience of delivering a customer-focussed service, and we are looking for our new colleague to be motivated and keen, with experience of thriving in a busy work environment. You will have knowledge of specialist archive management and digital preservation software and previous experience of using off-shelf or in-house digital preservation solutions. 

You should have experience of thriving in a busy work environment and a multi-disciplinary team. Ideally you will additionally have prior experience of working in local government and/or records management, and interests in digital and environmental sustainability.  

Why Bristol City Council? 

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation.  

Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future. 

How do I apply? 

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Shortlisting will take place on: Friday 26 June 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on: Fri 10 July 2026.

If you have any further queries after reading the job advert along with the attached Job Description and Person Specification, then please contact Charlotte Berry, City Archivist, charlotte.berry@bristol.gov.uk  

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. 

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.