Collections Assistant (18 months fixed term)
Salary £27,000 per annum., pro rata
Apply by Friday September 5th 2025
Job Purpose
To support the development of Nairn Museum’s collections management and care by cataloguing, digitising, and improving access to the museum’s collections. The Collections Assistant will also repackage fragile collection items. The role focuses on objects, archives, and photographs, contributing to the museum’s strategic goals of enhancing collections management, expanding digital access, and engaging the community.
Practical Requirements
The role is principally based at Viewfield House, Nairn. The standard working hours are 28 hours per week. We anticipate the role to be 4 days per week and can accommodate flexible working hours.
The post-holder will be required to carry out manual handling duties of collection objects.
Key duties and responsibilities include:
Collections Management
Creating catalogue records for collections items, including objects, photographs and archives
Updating, correcting and enhancing records as required
Researching objects and the stories behind our collections.
Collections care and preventative conservation, including stories, packing and pest monitoring
Regularly move and handle collections items, some which may be bulky or heavy.
Access and Audience Development
Creating engaging social media relating to the museum’s collections and stories.
Contributing towards activities to attract new audiences to the museum both on site and via digital offerings.
Contributing to any events relating to the project
Assisting with.
Reporting and Finance
As Collections Assistant, you will report to the Curator-Manager, who in turn reports to the Board of Directors.
You will:
Be responsible for your own time-management, and organisation.
Do administrative duties associated with the project.
Develop your skills through relevant training.
Have some supervisory responsibilities for collections volunteers.
Request and project related expenditures from the Curator-Manager, who manages the budget.
Support collections-focused and wider museum fundraising appeals.
Workplace Culture
Actively promote a positive and collaborative workplace culture that supports our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
Have regard to the implementation of appropriate Health and Safety measures.
Aim to reduce wastage and uphold our environmental values as being as sustainable as possible.
Undertake all tasks in accordance with Nairn Museums policies and procedures, reporting any concerns to ensure corrective action is taken.
Other Duties:
You may be required to perform duties, appropriate to the post, other than those set out in this specification. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may also be varied without changing the general character of the duties, or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not themselves justify reconsideration of the grading. As a result of such variations, it will be necessary to update this job description from time to time.
Person Specifications
Skills and Experience Essential:
• Degree in Museum Studies, Heritage, History, or a related field
• Experience of working with and handling museum objects and/or archives through work, research, volunteering or study. The ability to follow cataloguing guidelines methodically and input information accurately.
• Strong IT skills, ability to use Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
• Experience using databases and a willingness to learn Ehive, our collection management system.
• Ability to communicate positively with a range of people, both in person and in writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative when needed.
Skills and Experience Desirable:
• Knowledge of, or interest in, Scottish social history and heritage.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Familiarity with conservation issues and preventative conservation.
Nairn Museum
Nairn Museum is an independent museum in the Scottish Highlands. Housed in a Georgian villa, the museum tells the story of Nairnshire through its rich collections of objects, photographs and archives. We are proud to serve both our local community, from schools to care homes, as well as a global network of visitors with ancestral ties to the region.
With one permanent member of staff, and a dedicated team of volunteers, we focus on community involvement, thoughtful collections care, and creative ways of sharing stories. Our work is rooted in place but outward-looking. This role is part of an exciting new phase in our development, as we grow our digital presence and make our collections more visible, better cared for, and increase their accessibility to be used.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. In your covering letter, let us know how your education, experience, skills and interest directly relate to the person specifications.
Send applications to:
Annie MacDonald at admin@nairnmuseum.co.uk by end of day on 5th September 2025.
Any questions can also be sent to Annie MacDonald, Curator Manager at admin@nairnmuseum.co.uk, or Doug Maclean, Museum Board Chair at chair@nairnmuseum.co.uk
Selected applicants will be invited for an interview during the week of 22nd September 2025, date and time to be confirmed in advance in writing.
The interview will be a short task and a series of competency-based questions, both which we will send information about in advance.
Nairn Museum encourages applications from all sections of the community and is an equal opportunity employer.
Nairn Museum is a Fair Work First employer and committed to the Real Living Wage. https://nairnmuseum.co.uk/fair-work-first
Nairn Museum is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland No SC219539 and a Charity registered in Scotland No SC019425
