Archivist: Westmorland and Furness -CMB1944e

Whitehaven, England, United Kingdom

7/23/2025

Location: Whitehaven

Salary: �35,235 - �36,124 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

About This Opportunity

We are seeking an Archivist (full time, permanent) to join our teams at Kendal and Barrow Archive Centres. The successful candidate will be expected to work in both Centres, typically 2 days a week in Kendal and 3 days a week in Barrow.

This is an exciting time to join Cumbria Archives where we are embarking on a major programme of renewal with the introduction of Preservica digital preservation system and Axiell Collections collection management system. As well as extensive projects of improvements to our archives centres in Barrow and Kendal.

Tasks will include cataloguing and appraisal of collections, answering enquiries, managing the searchrooms, assisting with the preservation of collections, and contributing to the management of digital archives. There is also an opportunity to support the delivery of a wide range of outreach activities, including talks, displays, working with schools, and promotion of the Archive Service to a wider audience.

The successful candidate must have a post graduate qualification in archive administration, recognised by the Archives and Records Association. Experience of using archive collection management systems is essential, and experience with digital preservation software is highly desirable.

Our Archive Centres in Kendal and Barrow care for the written heritage of Cumbria comprising the historic county of Westmorland and the Furness area of Lancashire. Their collections from the 12th Century to the present day in Westmorland include the papers of leading families such as Lady Anne Clifford of Appleby and Skipton, Fleming of Rydal Hall and the Dallam Tower estate. The close association of the Lake District can be found in the papers of the Friends of the Lake District, the Fell and Rock Club, and the papers of the fellwalker and author, Alfred Wainwright. In Furness the industrial heritage of Barrow is reflected in the archives of Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited, the Barrow Hematite Iron and Steel Company, and the Millom and Askam Hematite Ore and Iron Company.

Cumbria Archives is a hosted service working for Cumberland Council, maintaining the archvies of the two counties Cumberland, and Westmorland and Furness.

This is a permanent, full time, post and may include some evening and weekend working.

Although its full-time, part time and/or job share arrangements may be considered.

Who We�re Looking For

We�re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: to be ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We�re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Peter Eyre by email at [email protected]

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces
  
  

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We�re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That�s why we�re a proud Disability Confident Employer and also an Age Friendly Employer � to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing [email protected]. While adjustments aren�t always guaranteed, we�ll always listen and we�ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: Sunday 17th August
• Interview date:Wednesday 27th August
  
  

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you�re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please Read The Supporting Information

• Post Specification
  
  

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council