At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in preserving and sharing Lambeth's rich history with the community.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant and diverse local authority in South London.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension scheme, discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting people with their local heritage.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of archives, strong communication skills, and experience in customer service.
- Other info: Part-time role with a supportive team and excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 34359 - 35892 £ per year.
Part-Time (7 Hours) Permanent Contract
About Us
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth.’ To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked on our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose,’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability.
About the Borough
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas’s Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.
About the Team
Lambeth Archives, a small specialist team within Lambeth’s Libraries and Archives Service, looks after the historic records of Lambeth Council, the deposited records of hundreds of local organizations and individuals, the borough’s local studies collection and a small museum collection. We moved last year to a new purpose-built archive on Brixton Hill with a stylish, welcoming public search room and an extensive strong room with accrual space for new collections for the next 25 years.
About the Role
This role within Lambeth Archives is part-time (7 hours a week on Saturdays) and customer-facing. You will enjoy working with people and collecting and preserving the history of our communities for future generations. You will be confident in undertaking research to answer enquiries and support researchers with enquiries, carry out work to look after the valuable collections and improving access to them. You will be supported by the Archivist and Local Studies Librarian and occasionally will be a key holder for the building.
To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence:
- Good knowledge of archives and local studies services
- Good communication and customer skills with particular knowledge of working within a multi-cultural environment and with socially excluded groups
- Use of catalogues to retrieve archival material on CALM or similar
- Experience of marketing and promoting archives services and activities
- Experience of supporting projects
- Experience of using archives materials and dealing with enquiries
- 5 GCSEs or experience of working in Archives
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Susanna Barnes at sbarnes@lambeth.gov.uk
Recruitment Timelines
Closing date: 11:59pm Sunday 9th November 2025
Benefits
We believe in rewarding our staff. When you join us, you'll gain access to a range of benefits, including:
- Participation in our 5 Staff Networks: Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic, LGBTQ+, Disability, Young Professionals, and Women's.
- Generous annual leave entitlement starting from 27 days, increasing to up to 35 days depending on length of service.
- Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Discounts at local restaurants.
- Discount at our Active Lambeth Gyms.
- Learning and Development opportunities, including Apprenticeships.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Secure Bike Storage facilities at our Town Hall and Civic Centre.
- Trade Union Membership.
How to Apply
If you're interested in this opportunity, click on the apply button and complete an online application. In your supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an 'A' at shortlist stage. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement. At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Senior Archives and Local Studies Assistant employer: Lambeth Council
Contact Detail:
Lambeth Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Archives and Local Studies Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team and the organisation! Research Lambeth Council's values and their One Lambeth Programme. This will help you connect your skills and experiences to their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role is customer-facing, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to engage with diverse communities. Role-play common scenarios you might encounter.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for archives! Prepare examples of how you've previously promoted archive services or engaged with local history. This will highlight your enthusiasm and fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure your CV and supporting statement clearly reflect how you meet the criteria—they're your ticket to an interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Archives and Local Studies Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure your CV and supporting statement highlight your knowledge of archives and local studies services. We want to see how your skills match the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your experience!
Be Personable: Since this role is customer-facing, it’s crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Share examples of how you’ve worked with diverse groups and made a positive impact in your previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Read through the job description carefully and align your experiences with the criteria marked with an 'A'. We’re looking for specific examples that show you meet these requirements, so tailor your application accordingly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, remember to anonymise your documents before uploading them to keep things fair.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lambeth Council
✨Know Your Archives
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of archives and local studies services. Familiarise yourself with the specific collections Lambeth Archives holds, as well as any recent projects or initiatives they’ve undertaken. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role is customer-facing, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated with diverse groups, especially in a multicultural environment. Be ready to discuss how you can engage with socially excluded groups effectively.
✨Demonstrate Research Abilities
Prepare to discuss your experience with research and how you’ve used catalogues like CALM to retrieve archival material. Bring examples of past enquiries you’ve handled and how you supported researchers. This will highlight your practical skills and problem-solving abilities.
✨Embrace the Values
Familiarise yourself with Lambeth’s One Lambeth Values: Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. Think about how these values resonate with your own work ethic and be prepared to share examples of how you embody these principles in your professional life.