Job title: Project Placement - Photographic Collections
Salary: A1 £12.71 p/hr
Hours: 222hrs (30 days placement)
Contract: Casual
Location: Leeds Discovery Centre, Carlisle Road, Leeds LS10 1LB
This project placement is to assist the Curator of Leeds History with the cataloguing, digitisation and research of Leeds Museum’s historic photographic collections which include lantern slides, glass negatives and historic photographs.
The role involves creating and editing catalogue records for public access, as well as creating content for blog and social media posts. The work also includes identifying and researching images to add to the www.leodis.net website. The individual will also support existing volunteers who are scanning images.
The role offers valuable experience of hands-on working with historic collections, object handling, cataloguing skills, learning how to structure data, research experience and a greater knowledge of Leeds history. It will enable Leeds Museums and Galleries to make better use of their photographic collections and increase public awareness of these valuable collections.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
Our Project Placements are a training and development opportunity. We are looking for people who are:
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Starting out in heritage, culture or the arts
- Looking for a change of career and exploring options in the arts and cultural sector
- From a diverse range of backgrounds underrepresented in the arts and cultural sector
What matters most is your passion for the project.
About the role
This is one of three Project Placements at Leeds Museums and Galleries in 2026. The funding for Project Placements comes from Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding to give people paid experience of working in a heritage/cultural setting, training and support.
Project Placements are a maximum of 30 days to be completed before the end of March 2027. We are open to it being fewer days to help people access the opportunity. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We are a family friendly organisation and support our employees to work flexibly to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Working days and times are flexible and are agreed between the individual and the supervisor.
To find out more, we have a video describing each of the Project Placements and giving tip tops for applications. This can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/c5XR4sn8pDE
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
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a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries of or would like an informal chat the role please contact Kitty Ross, Curator of Leeds History, email
[email protected]
Interviews will be held on Monday 17th August
candidates will be hear if they have been shortlisted for interview by 6 August.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job description
Job Purpose:
This is a training and development role. The responsibilities of the position will be shared by the person appointed and their supporting supervisor. The individual advert gives details of the main activities you will undertake. Because of the short-term nature of the role, the post holder may not undertake all the elements described below. You will however be assessed on the qualities named in the person specification that form part of this job description.
Project Placements are designed to provide experience of Museum and Galleries and to spend time learning what they can offer in terms of careers. You will work as part of Leeds Museums and Galleries to enhance the visitor experience and increase access to museum collections. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds.
Responsibilities for Grade:
Audiences:
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Contribute to public engagement through community engagement, learning and exhibition programmes.
- Provide a high standard of customer service by being welcoming and engaging when assisting with community engagement, supporting activities, dealing with public enquiries, collating customer feedback or working with volunteers.
Access:
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Work alongside other staff to ensure accessibility and inclusivity within our spaces.
Collections and programmes:
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Contribute to the collections management and maintain attention to detail in documentation, digitisation, and online access, collections handling and packing.
- Exhibitions and displays which may include physical and administrative support for displays and exhibitions, to write exhibition text under guidance from others.
- Research: Under instruction and guidance source and provide interesting and accurate information on collections or individual items.
Relationships:
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Work under the guidance of the placement supervisor.
- Liaise with other staff in a courteous manner.
Personal development:
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Show a commitment to training relating to H&S, safeguarding, information governance and the site.
- Be curious. Be open to new experiences, working creatively and being reflective. Be passionate about the collection, and innovative in its uses with audiences.
- Be eager to develop new skills through participation in programmes, projects, action research and training.
- Deliver accurate and timely time sheets for salary payments.
Leeds City Council:
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Promote an outward looking, positive image of the service at all times.
- It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep people safe. Promote, adhere to and apply consistently, the Leeds Safeguarding Boards and Leeds City Council Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety policies and procedures with colleagues, partners and members of the public. Be responsible for your own H&S at work.
- Leeds wants to have a strong economy and to be a compassionate city. Promote and adhere to the Leeds City Council values of: working as a team; being open, honest and trusted; working with communities; treating people fairly and spending money wisely.
- To undertake any other duties as commensurate with the grade.
Personal Specification:
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form (A), Test (T) Interview (I) or Certificate (C).
Essential Requirements:
It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
Communication:
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal, A /I)
Interpersonal:
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Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues and partners (LMG / LCC/ schools/volunteers/general public). (A/I)
Time management:
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Able to prioritise and organise own work flexibly according to the direction of the supervisor. (A /I)
Teamwork:
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Ability to work effectively as part of a team (A/I)
Digital:
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Good computer skills. Able to use word processing and email (A)
Knowledge Required
Qualifications:
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Formal qualifications are not essential however good literacy and numeracy skills will be required. (A/I/)
Audiences:
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Experience of working or volunteering in a public facing role (A/I)
Access:
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To promote and apply consistently the principles of Equality and Diversity both with colleagues and members of the public to ensure fair and equal access to services and opportunities. (A/I)
Behavioural and other Characteristics required
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Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
