At a Glance
- Tasks: Enhance cultural engagement through digital projects and outreach for the National Fairground and Circus Archive.
- Company: Join the University of Sheffield, a leader in cultural accessibility and innovation.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, flexible working, generous pension, and retail discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by engaging communities with unique archive collections.
- Qualifications: Experience in digitisation, strong ICT skills, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal development and community outreach.
The predicted salary is between 32080 - 36636 £ per year.
Digital Engagement Officer – The University of Sheffield
Join the University of Sheffield as a Digital Engagement Officer and play a pivotal role in enhancing cultural engagement and accessibility to the National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA). In this position you will leverage digital technologies and outreach initiatives to expand access to the unique collection for researchers and wider communities, engaging new audiences and driving positive change.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Enhance the visibility of key materials within the NFCA collection by delivering digital projects and exploring opportunities to use AI, handwritten text recognition (HTR), and other technologies to create valuable data sets for the research community.
- Coordinate and undertake digitisation projects, ensuring adherence to standards, and manage the upload of data to relevant systems, creating necessary metadata.
- Gather feedback and evaluate the impact of online and in‑person activities, including social media, collecting statistics to assess effectiveness in engaging target audiences.
- Oversee and develop the use of social media, online platforms, publications, and mainstream media to increase awareness and promote the NFCA collection.
- Curate accessible digital content for outreach and exhibitions.
- Explore the potential for new projects, such as crowdsourcing initiatives, to enhance the NFCA collection.
- Assist in planning and hosting captivating outreach events both in person and online, focusing on schools, the local community, and special interest groups, including occasional evening and weekend work.
- Provide guidance and supervision to student placements and volunteers.
- Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated knowledge of digitisation methods following established standards and recommended approaches.
- Excellent ICT skills and a high level of digital literacy.
- Experience of paid or voluntary work with collections in the GLAM sector, and familiarity with principles of cataloguing and metadata.
- Hands‑on experience of organising engagement activities.
- Awareness of intellectual property and data protection legislation as it applies to archive collections and users.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective engagement and relationship building with individuals both within and outside the organisation.
- Strong organisational abilities, with the capacity to assess and manage resources, prioritise tasks, and successfully implement projects.
- Proven analytical and problem‑solving skills, coupled with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
- Knowledge of gathering feedback and evaluating the impact of projects.
- Practical experience of digitisation projects using IIIF standards.
- Desirable: Knowledge of OCR and HTR technologies in the context of archive collections.
Details
- Grade: 6
- Salary: £32,080 – £36,636
- Work arrangement: Full‑time
- Duration: 1‑year fixed term
- Line manager: Senior Archivist
- Direct reports: Volunteers and student placements
- Location: Sheffield
Benefits
- Minimum 38 days annual leave, including bank holidays, with the ability to purchase additional days.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid arrangements.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Wide range of retail discounts and rewards for shopping, eating out, and travel.
- Access to staff networks providing social interaction, peer support, and personal development opportunities.
- Recognition awards for staff who go above and beyond in their roles.
- Commitment to development through courses, mentoring, and learning schemes.
- Family‑friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for menopause, fertility treatment, and more.
- Disability Confident Employer: If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job, you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Contact: Arantza Barrutia Ezenarro, Senior Archivist, National Fairground and Circus Archive – a.barrutia-wood@sheffield.ac.uk
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Digital Engagement Officer employer: The University of Sheffield
Contact Detail:
The University of Sheffield Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Engagement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the GLAM sector, especially those who work with digital collections. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous digitisation projects and engagement activities. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that resonate with your passion for cultural engagement. Check out our website for opportunities at StudySmarter that align with your interests and expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to digital engagement and project management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged audiences and managed resources in past roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Engagement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Digital Engagement Officer role. We want to see how you can enhance cultural engagement and accessibility, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Show Off Your Digital Skills: Since this role involves leveraging digital technologies, be sure to mention any experience you have with digitisation methods, social media management, or data analysis. We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy and can bring innovative ideas to the table!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the University of Sheffield!
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Sheffield
✨Know Your Digital Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of digitisation methods and digital technologies relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with AI, handwritten text recognition, and IIIF standards, as these will likely come up in conversation.
✨Showcase Your Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of past projects where you've successfully engaged audiences, whether online or in person. Highlight your experience with social media and outreach initiatives, as this is key for the Digital Engagement Officer role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Feedback and Evaluation
Think about how you've gathered feedback and evaluated the impact of your previous projects. Be prepared to discuss specific metrics or statistics that demonstrate your effectiveness in engaging target audiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the NFCA collection and its future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to enhancing cultural engagement.