Job Opportunities

Collections Assistant  

Contract: (0.8 FTE 12 months fixed-term)

Salary £23,933 per annum, pro rata

Reports to: Collections and Operations Manager

Apply by 6pm, Friday October 10th 2025

About Torquay Museum

Torquay Museum, located in the English Riviera Geopark in Torbay, South Devon, was founded in 1845. It is an independent museum with a designated collection (the Quaternary Cave Collection), and a number of other regionally and nationally significant collections of a third of a million objects, covering both Natural and Human History. We are currently in the second year of a change programme to transform our practices and build the foundations of an outward-looking museum with national and international relevance, supported by our partners. We are in receipt of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Role Purpose
The Collections Assistant supports the care, documentation, and accessibility of the Museum’s diverse collections. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of collections management and contributing to the Museum’s strategic goals, including those outlined in the current projects funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Role Profile
This role will include cataloguing and maintaining accurate records, participating in conservation activity, assisting with environmental monitoring, helping to facilitate research of the collections and associated work on activity at the museum, including exhibitions. You will work as part of a small team ensuring collections are managed to professional standards and helping to work towards the museum’s strategic goals of advancing knowledge of the collections and improving access for all. As a part of this, you may be asked to support other staff, researchers, and volunteers, to be involved in community engagement work, and to lead tours.  

Practical Requirements
The role is office-based at Torquay Museum and will involve hands-on work with the collections ranging from administrative labelling both manually and digitally, to manual handling requirements, including a requirement to use ladders. The post holder will work four days per week, including Wednesday to Friday with weekend days on a rota, and on occasion, evening hours. It is possible there will be an extension to the time-frame of this role subject to successful funding, with applications underway now or under consideration.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the documentation, cataloguing, and digitisation of collection items.
• Support the preservation and conservation of objects, including environmental monitoring and handling procedures.
• Help maintain accurate records in the collections management system.
• Participate in collection audits and inventories.
• Assist with research enquiries and provide access to collections for staff, researchers, and the public.
• Support exhibition preparation, including object locating, condition reporting, installation and general movement of items in and out of museum stores and galleries.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of policies and procedures related to collections care.
• Collaborate with other staff on audience engagement and educational initiatives.
• Creation of social media posts relating to your area of work.
• Provide support for the Museum’s strategic projects, including the objectives for the two NLHF projects and requirements for accreditation.
• Assist with any other duties as reasonably determined by the management of the museum.

Person Specifications

       Essential:

• A Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working with and handling museum objects and/or archives through work, research, study and/or volunteering (must be referenced). 
• Good IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and databases. 
• The ability to work independently and to take initiative when needed.
• Willingness to work collaboratively.
• Strong communication skills both in person and in writing.
• Willingness to undertake physical tasks, including moving objects safely

       Desirable:

• Experience of working with, and supervising, volunteers.
• Familiarity with environmental monitoring and preventative conservation.
• Experience of using a collections management system (MODES in particular).
• An understanding of Spectrum standards.

Additional Information

• Training will be provided where necessary.
• The role will involve weekend and occasional evening work.
• This position contributes directly to the Museum’s mission to safeguard and interpret its collections for public benefit.
• All employees are expected to work within the terms of their contract of employment, adhere to the Museum’s Policies, Values and Behaviours, and to follow the Museums Association’s Code of Ethics. 

The position would suit an early-career museum professional or recent graduate who is keen to extend their experience, and is committed to making a strong contribution to the evolution of this important regional museum. 

How to Apply
Please fill in our application form, available below. Forms can also be obtained from Amie Schofield [email protected]
Interested parties may direct enquiries to Alexandra Hemming, Senior Executive, at [email protected]
Selected applicants will be invited to the museum for interview during the week beginning Monday, October 20th 2025. The interview will be a short task, followed by competency-based questions during an interview with a small group of current staff. Torquay Museum encourages applications from all sections of the community and is an equal opportunity employer.
Torquay Museum is a Company Limited by Guarantee No 02764633 and a Charity No 1025390