Job title: Technician

Salary: £25,185 – 25,989 (FTE). £15,315 – 15,804 (pro rota)

Hours: 22.5 hrs per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds Art Gallery. May require occasional working across all Leeds Museums and Galleries sites

An opportunity has arisen to join the Leeds Museums and Galleries technical team and this role will assist in the preparation and maintenance of exhibitions, displays, and events, and in the care, handling and conservation of the service’s amazing collections.

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 council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Technician, you will bring to the role:

An ability to carry out a range of technical tasks including woodworking (construction of temporary structures) and the construction of glazing, mounts and frames for different media works.
Work experience of technical skills (as above) including the use of hand and power tools and carpentry and woodworking equipment including in machine shops.
An ability and experience of handling, packing and moving a range of fragile, complex, heavy, valuable and / or historic objects safely including using handling and lifting equipment.
An ability to demonstrate a practical approach to problem solving.
Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).

About the role

As one of our next Technicians, responsibilities will include:

assisting with the handling, movement, packing, storage and display of collections in line with conservation guidelines
assisting in the preparation and packing for objects for loans out, inter-site transfer or for external conservation
assisting in all aspects of the preparations of exhibitions and displays including construction of display fittings and furniture and maintenance of exhibit interactives.

This role will work closely with other staff within the technical team and with wider colleagues within collections and programmes, operations and enterprise, learning and access and audience development.

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 on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations & Enterprise. Call 07891 273902 or email lisa.broadest@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To assist in the preparation and maintenance of exhibitions, displays, and events, and in the care, handling and conservation of collections, in store and on display.

Responsibilities:

To work alone or as part of a technical team to undertake work scheduled by the Museum and Gallery Technical Team Leaders and / or Technical Officer Manager at any of the sites of Leeds Museums and Galleries.

To assist with the handling, movement, packing, storage and display of collections in line with conservation guidelines and under the supervision of Collections, Exhibitions or Conservation staff as necessary.

To assist in the preparation and packing for objects for loan out, inter-site transfer or external conservation.

To load, unload and deliver bulk materials, crates etc. within sites.

To assist in all aspects of the preparations of exhibitions and displays including construction of display fittings and furniture and maintenance of exhibit interactives.

To undertake exhibits / display cleaning and maintenance.

To participate in the transport of exhibition or museum material.

To set up, maintain and operate audio visual equipment where relevant in support of events, displays and functions.

Be aware of and adhere to Leeds City Council Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy being responsible for your own health and safety whilst at work and that of your colleagues and visitors.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications:

Essential criteria 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Good interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).

Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Ability to communicate with a wide range of people.

Able to handle objects carefully and safely including using handling and lifting equipment (e.g. pallet trucks, pedestrian stackers, hoists, lifting straps etc.)

Able to carry out a range of technical tasks i.e. all the following: woodworking – construction of temporary structures, and the construction of glazing, mounts and frames for different media works, able to work at height.

Able to demonstrate a practical approach to problem solving.

Knowledge of a range of ICT applications including Microsoft Office.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Health and Safety and Equalities legislation.

Work experience of one or more of the technical skills described above including the use of hand and power tools and carpentry and woodworking equipment including in machine shops.

Experience in conducting risk assessments in the workplace and implementing safe systems of work.

Experience in handling, packing and moving a range of fragile, complex, heavy, valuable and/or historic objects.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative.
Commitment to own personal development and learning to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible approach to working hours.
Demonstrate a strong interest in the work of Leeds Museums and Galleries.

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 policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
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.

Desirable criteria Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Experience of working in a museum, gallery or Heritage organisation.
Work experience of installation and maintenance of ICT or audio-visual equipment.
Experience of working in a museum, gallery or Heritage organisation.
Work experience of installation and maintenance of ICT or audio-visual equipment.