Role Profile

The successful candidate will work under the direction of the Librarian & Archivist, to process and catalogue incoming collections of archives and promote the content of the Library’s extensive holdings. The candidate will be part of the Library team and contribute to its ongoing work and outreach.

Background

The Library of the Representative Church Body provides a repository for the Church of Ireland’s archives, manuscripts and related objects which tell the story of the Church’s community. These include records from parishes throughout Ireland, the archives of the Church’s dioceses, cathedrals, architectural drawings, the administrative records of the Representative Church Body and its multiple committees, and thousands of manuscripts relating to the Church’s people, buildings and activities, spanning from medieval times to the present. Some have relevance for a worldwide research audience, and public engagement with that audience is an important Library function.

Specific Responsibilities

• Assisting in the processing and cataloguing of incoming collections;
• Updating and uploading finding aids to the Library’s web pages;
• Contributing to the Library’s ongoing digitization projects including managing projects on a book scanner and digital slide scanner;
• Assisting visitors and answering public enquires;
• Initiating and managing exhibition projects and contributing to raising the profile of the Library and its varied collections;
• Oher projects and tasks as may be assigned by the Librarian and Archivist.

Further details, including location and contact information, are available at https://www.churchofireland.org/about/rcb-library

Person Specification

Education / Training 

Essential

• A primary degree in history or other relevant discipline
• A recognised postgraduate qualification in archive or library studies

Desirable

• Professional member of the ARA (Archives and Records Management Association)

Experience     

Essential

• A minimum of three years’ experience working in an archive, including at least one year’s experience in a religious archive.
• Experience digitising archival materials across multiple formats (including paper records, photographic material, and slides)
• Proven experience of completing archival projects in a systematic and timely fashion
• Experience of collaboration, teamwork and building relationships

Desirable

• Knowledge of latest digitisation systems (eg. Book2Net Lizard, Tocosa, Silverfast9).

Knowledge / Skills    

Essential

• Excellent communication skills including making presentations and engaging with relevant stakeholders
• Experience curating small displays for exhibition
• Proficient in Microsoft Access (including database management and reporting)
• Experience in developing and managing websites and organisational social media accounts, including updating content and maintaining an online presence.
• Excellent organisational and inter-personal skills with proven ability to work to deadlines and prioritise workloads

Desirable

• Experience researching and writing content for publications including online and print content.
• Knowledge of website CMS platform Edditt.

Other        

Essential

• Be highly motivated and flexible 
• Entitled to work and live in Ireland 

The Representative Church Body reserves the right to enhance these criteria for the purposes of shortlisting.  Any enhancements to the criteria will be applied equally to all candidates.

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

Appointment: The appointment will be permanent, subject to satisfactory probationary performance, and start on the 1 January 2027

 Hours of work:  Full time (core 35-hour week). 

Location: Based in the RCB Library, Braemor Park, Churchtown, Dublin 14.

Salary: €37,000 to €42,000 p.a.