Community Archaeology Training Placement
APPLICANT PACK
Important information for overseas applicantsApplications from candidates who require a certificate of sponsorship under the UK ‘Points Based’ system of entry may not be considered if there are a sufficient number of other suitable candidates. This is because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they recruit an individual from overseas. For further information, please visit the Home Office (UK Border Agency) website.
This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:
- Useful Information
Council for British Archaeology Diversity Policy, shortlisting and pre-employment checks and UK Identification requirements
- Applicant letter
Details on how to apply plus closing date and interview date(s)
- Training Placement Role Description
A breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the training placement, requirements, duties and responsibilities
- Person specification
A list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet
- About the CBA and Host Organisation
Information about the Council for British Archaeology and Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service
- Application Form
- Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
1. Useful Information
Diversity Policy Statement
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is committed to a vision of ‘Archaeology for All’ in which everyone interested in the past is able to pursue this interest actively, free from any physical, psychological, economic, social or cultural deterrents.
Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. The CBA is committed to achieving a truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential, creativity and productivity of each individual, and an atmosphere where everyone can learn, work and live free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence. The CBA aims to ensure that all staff, volunteers, partners, clients, contractors, members and the general public are treated fairly.
The CBA is committed to the principle of equal opportunities in employment. It will not discriminate unlawfully or unfairly against people on the grounds of: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We welcome application from a wide range of candidates with the right mix of talent, skills and potential, including those with criminal records. For further information, please refer to our Equal Opportunities Policy and our Diversifying Participation in Archaeology Statement.
The CBA operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme: applicants considering themselves to have a disability and who meet the essential competences as set out in the person specification and advertisement for the post will be guaranteed an interview.’
Use of Curriculum Vitae (CV’s) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) logs
Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not accept a CV and/or a CPD log unless accompanied by a fully completed application.
Shortlisting
The CBA is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance. The CBA operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme, under which applicants that consider themselves to have a disability, and that meet the essential competences as set out in the person specification and advertisement for the post will be guaranteed an interview.’
All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.
As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering opportunities across the organisation.Please be aware that, should you be called for an interview, the CBA is unable to cover travel expenses. If you are applying from overseas and are shortlisted, we may opt to carry out an initial interview via telephone before inviting you for a face-to-face interview so as not to cause you unnecessary travel expense.
Pre- employment Checks
All offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of UK residency, two references satisfactory to the CBAand, where required,a criminal records enhanced Disclosure check with the appropriate Disclosure body followed by registration with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)or Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (Scotland) whenintroduced.
Application form 2012
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 287815
1
2. Applicant letter
Community Archaeology Training Placement – Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester
£16,440, 1 year fixed term placement.
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your enquiry regarding our advertised vacancy. An application form is enclosed, together with a job description, person specification and other background information.
If you require any further information about this post, please contactJustin Hughes, project Officer on 01905 765984 or
Please complete the enclosed application form electronically or in blue or black ink. Please refer to the person specification when completing the form. Your completed application form should clearly describe how you meet each of the criteria that have been identified as being necessary for this post, as this will form the basis for shortlisting candidates. If you enclose a CV, it may be referred to for supplementary information. If you have a CPD log, you can also enclose this for reference. However, please ensure that all the questions asked on the application form are fully answered. If you are sending your application form by post, please ensure that you enclose three copies of all the material you are sending.
We take all practicable steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of children or vulnerable adults while they are in contact with the CBA. If the post you have applied for involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults further checks will be carried out. We will also confirm your eligibility to work in the UK prior to appointment.
Completed forms should be returned to Tara-Jane Sutcliffe, Community Archaeology Training Coordinator, Council for British Archaeology, St. Mary’s House, 66 Bootham, York, YO30 7BZ. Please check the postage required on your application as incorrect postage may lead to your application being delayed and missing the closing date.If you require an acknowledgement of receipt of your application, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope. Alternatively, you can email your applicationFAOTara-Jane Sutcliffe to .
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Sunday 19th August 2012.Interviews will be held on Wednesday 5th September 2012.
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the CBA and the Community Archaeology Bursaries project. As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted.
We look forward to receiving your application in due course.
Tara-Jane Sutcliffe
Community Archaeology Training Coordinator
Application form 2012
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 287815
1
3. Job Description
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is an educational charity (287815) with a secretariat based in York. The CBA manages the Community Archaeology Bursaries Project, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through the Skills for the Future programme with additional support from English Heritage, CADW and Historic Scotland. The project offers year-long workplace bursaries designed to equip would-be community archaeologists with the skills, experience and confidence to support voluntary groups and communities. Round I of the project, which began in 2011, provides 27 Community Archaeology Training Bursaries over three years. Additional funding from the Skills for the Future programme, confirmed in June 2012, is facilitating delivering of a Round II of 24 further placements over the next two years that will expressly introduce a 'youth-focus' to the project.
The Community Archaeology Bursary Placements (CATPs) are aimed specifically at providing training to individuals who already have a good working knowledge of archaeological theory and techniques and who are keen to develop their skills for utilisation in their future career to enhance relationships between the archaeological profession and a wide range of communities. In particular, Round II CATPs will focus on developing youth engagement.
Reporting to: Emma Hancox, line manager at host organisation
Training overseen by: Community Archaeology Training Coordinator based at the CBA in York
Salary: Scale 3, SCP 16, £16,440 (pension benefits in accordance with policies of the host organisation) – this is a salaried placement and subject to PAYE rules on tax and National Insurance.
Hours:37 hours per week. Post holders will be expected to work evenings and weekends as necessary with some flexibility.
Location: Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcestershire County Council, The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PB.
Role: The role will require individuals to learn by directly working with line managers, training providers and mentors at the host organisations in order to acquire the skills needed to run and support effective community archaeology projects.
The skills being acquired and developed will be the kind of ‘soft’ or intangible skills that are needed when working with the public/voluntary sector and young people in particular.
These will include:
- Interpersonal skills, for example: social skills, empathy, listening skills and coping with authority
- Organisational skills, such as: personal organisation, and the ability to order and prioritise
- Analytical skills, such as: the ability to exercise judgement, manage time or solve problems
- Personal skills, for example: insight, motivation, confidence, reliability and health awareness
These skills will be developed utilising archaeological information and practice as a learning and support mechanism. Postholders will be supported to learn how to enhance hard skills, such as excavation, archiving, processing, recording, publication - by using, presenting and interpreting archaeological information for public benefit and community/volunteer capacity building.
Postholders will undertake a number of tasks to develop knowledge of how to work with the voluntary sector. These will include (although not exclusively) the following:
- Designing and running archaeological training sessions
- Designing interpretive and learning materials
- Initiating and supervising fieldwork involving volunteers
- Identifying and co-ordinating archaeological projects
- Setting up and co-ordinating networking opportunities
- Updating contact management systems
- Archiving and record management
- Identifying and contacting specific community groups for inclusion
- Evaluating the social outcomes of projects involving volunteers and community groups
- Contribution (where appropriate) to funding applications, either by the host organisation or by voluntary groups with which the host organisation interacts
- Publication for a variety of audiences
- Communication both oral and written (particularly in the context of explaining complex concepts)
- Showcasing their work and building links within the sector for future employability
- Carrying out risk assessments for working with community groups and young persons in particular
- Demonstration and dissemination of awareness of best practice for ensuring that young people are kept safe from harm
- Postholders will also learn how to utilise new media to maximise access and share information
Essential and Desirable Criteria – as in the accompanying person specification
Personal Qualities
CATP holders will:
- Be highly motivated to learn and develop their skills and apply these skills in a community context and for the benefit of the communities in which they will be working
- Be committed to learn and develop the skills needed to effectively engage with young people, including legislative and procedural requirements
- Be able to work under supervision, instruction and within a team, but will also be able to use their own initiative to work on your own, where necessary and/or appropriate
- Be willing and keen to gather evidence and materials related to the role to assist in compiling a resource to inform future training of individuals in this field
- Contribute to dissemination of information on the project and their work through presentation at conferences or by publication in journals, magazines or newsletters
- Be highly motivated individuals required to facilitate and encourage people in the local community to explore and discover the historic environment
- Be willing to undertake an NVQ in archaeological practice using existing and/or new experience/evidence within the 12 months of the placement
- Contribute to development and management of ‘community resources’ of equipment and materials for public use and provide training, advice and resources for fieldwork, duration and dissemination
- Promote best practice among the community by helping them with their projects, and enable a greater number and variety of people to get involved
- Be willing and keen to design and deliver training opportunities for community groups
- Be willing and keen to work with diverse communities in the location of their placement and gather information related to working with them and recommendations for developing community working practices to better suite their needs
The post will be based at the host offices in the areas listed above. The post-holder will work in the office or community, local area as necessary. The post-holder will be required to travel within the area covered by the post to work with communities. This may on occasion entail working at weekends or evenings and days off in lieu will be used to compensate for this.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they are eligible to work in the UK.
Application is by application form and a covering letter, which should clearly show how you meet the essential and preferred criteria for the post as outlined in the person specification.
Please mark your applications for the attention of Tara-Jane Sutcliffe, the Community Archaeology Training Coordinator, and send them by post to The Council for British Archaeology, St. Mary’s House, 66 Bootham, York, YO30 7BZ or by e-mail to . If applying by e-mail, please ensure that you request a read receipt.
The CBA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sectors of society. We would specifically welcome applications from individuals from under-represented groups in the archaeological sector. We are also happy to discuss requirements for flexibility related to your personal circumstances as appropriate.
All applications will be assessed on an equal basis and priority for interview will be decided on a points scale. This will relate directly to how well you have demonstrated, through the information provided in your application form and covering letter, that you have the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the person specification.
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 287815
1
Person Specification / Post Title: Community Archaeology Training PlacementHost /Area: Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester
How criteria will be tested : A = Application Form, I = Interview, P = Presentation, E = Evidence
ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLEQualifications / A / I / P / E / Qualifications / A / I / P / E
1 / Higher / GCSE level, including English / X / A / A level or degree in archaeology / X
Experience / Experience
2 / Experience of archaeological fieldwork, survey and excavation in a professional or voluntary capacity / X / X / X / B / Work with/or as a volunteer(s) and understanding of volunteer management and ethos / X / X / X
3 / Experience of communicating with others about archaeology – written and oral / X / X / C / Engaging with the public face-to-face / X / X
Skills/Abilities / Skills/Abilities
4 / Proven ability to work as part of a team / X / X / X / D / Use of PowerPoint/Data Projection equipment / X
5 / Ability to prioritise and work in an organised way / X / X / E / Car driver / X
6 / Networking and socialising skills / X / X / F / Use of web editing software / X
7 / Computer skills - basic / X / X / G / Use of Outlook and Office packages / X
8 / Ability to motivate others / X / X
Knowledge / Knowledge
9 / Competent understanding of basics of: / H / Understanding of Community Archaeology / X / X / X
a /
- Landscape archaeology
b /
- British archaeology
c /
- Data recording, standards and artefact curation
d /
- Archaeological legislation
e /
- Buildings recording
10 / Reasonable knowledge of the region and its geography / X / X
M / Understanding of the use of the CRB system / X
Disposition/Circumstances / Disposition/Circumstances
11 / Commitment to community archaeology and working with young people / X / X / X / X / N / Member and active participant of recognised archaeological body either professional or voluntary / X / X
12 / Strong desire for the post / X / X
13 / Strong desire to learn and progress / X / X / O / Member of the Council for British Archaeology / X
14 / Enthusiastic and able to enthuse others / X
15 / Confident talking to others / X / P / Lively, dynamic personality who enjoys working with others and has a passion for archaeology / X / X
16 / Motivated with plenty of initiative / X / X
17 / Resourceful with a ‘can do’ approach / X
18 / Innovative, creative, lateral thinker / X
19 / Open-minded, tactful and flexible / X
Application form 2011 The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 287815