Image Production Technician in London

The National Archives (TNA) is the UK government's official archive, containing over 1,000 years of history. It provides detailed guidance to government departments and the public sector on information management and advises others about the care of historical archives. It has strategic plans to increase access and use of the many varied documents held as well as preserving them for future generations.

The Image Production Technician is part of the Digitisation Department, and is responsible for producing digital images from original archive documents for a range of external and internal customers. The work includes producing digital images of TNA’s own records and those of other organisations.

The Image Production Technician carries out and delivers high quality digitisation work using a range of technical equipment and processes to achieve project specifications. Each team member will be deployed to a primary area of work using the digitisation equipment to capture images or carrying out quality assurance (QA) activities for the digitised images. In addition, each team member will be expected, over time, to learn some or all of the various processes within the team, supported by appropriate training, so that they may cover and support the team’s workload and priorities as needed.

These positions are full time. However, requests for part‑time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. These roles require on‑site presence and are not suitable for home working.

Interviews will be held on‑site and will include a digitisation technical test. Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. Selection for interview will be based on the 3 ‘essential’ requirements below, so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.

• Ability to use initiative to solve operational problems
• Flexible approach to working to cope with changing priorities and new challenges, and a willingness to learn new skills
• Able to work as part of a small team within a production based environment

Role and Responsibilities:

• Create and check digital images using the equipment provided and to the specification and output targets required by each project. Digitisation may include difficult, large format, or fragile material.
• Carry out the various processing steps to produce the final required output.
• Carry out image QA to check for missing and duplicate images, and image quality.
• Ensure file formats are correct and file names match the customer and project requirements.
• Log all work accurately on the job‑tracking systems to ensure overall project progress can be tracked and reported on.
• Adhere to document handling processes and methodologies.
• Work with the wider team as required to address issues, resolve queries and correct work in a timely manner.
• Identify opportunities to continuously improve working processes, including the use of automated processes.
• Attend departmental, project, and directorate meetings as required.

Working Conditions:

• Digitisation Studio
• Moving items up to 10 kg in weight
• May come into contact with distressing material

Person Specification:

• Experience of digitisation project work
• Strong general IT skills including Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.
• Organised and methodical with an eye for detail and accuracy.
• Ability to use initiative to solve operational problems.
• Flexible approach to working to cope with changing priorities and new challenges, and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Able to work as part of a small team within a production based environment.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Experience of Quality assurance work, or working with original documents.
• Interest in photography, digital technology, or image capture.

The role’s responsibilities must be carried out onsite, so hybrid working is not possible.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on‑site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non‑disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact The National Archives as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.