Archives Officer

Permanent, Part Time 18.5 hours per week.

Fixed Term until 31st December 2028, Part Time 22.2 hours per week.

The Bristol Archives searchroom is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and our preference is that you will be required to work those days. Please state in your application form which role you are applying for.

We're looking for a new Archives Officer to join the searchroom team at Bristol Archives and demonstrate an interest in supporting researchers to access our unique historic collections.

Bristol Archives looks after the archives of the city of Bristol and the archives of the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection.

Your role will focus primarily on providing searchroom and enquiry services, using your customer service skills to assist our service users with identifying relevant archival sources and accessing our collections.

You'll also work on collections projects (such as listing and digitising records) and occasional engagement activities.

We're looking for someone with strong communication skills, excellent attention to detail and an understanding of the value of archival sources for diverse audiences.

The job is based on-site at B Bond Warehouse and will involve working occasional Saturdays, evening and public holidays.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.

Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey, please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Interviews are expected to take place on: Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 July 2026.

If you have any further queries after reading the job advert along with the attached Job Description and Person Specification, then please contact Lucy Bonner, Senior Archivist (Access and Engagement) ***email_hidden***

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Young people, Black and racially minoritised, Disabled and Male candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.