New jobs at DigVentures

Well folks, it’s our favourite time of year again: when we have new jobs on the go!

Why do we love it so much? Because we get to hear from so many amazing, talented, inspiring people who want to join us on our quest to share archaeology. This time, we’ve got two roles ready to go – have you got the right stuff? Read on!

Community Archaeologist

Job Type: Full time, fixed term 12-month contract

Salary: £21,500 – £25,000 depending on experience (BAJR level 4-5)

Closing date for applications: 17^th June 2015

Interviews: 30^th June or 1^st July, in London

Does working with an innovative, community-focused social enterprise to deliver a unique HLF-funded project to discover and record Yorkshire’s hidden history sound like fun? If so, we’re looking for a Community Archaeologist to be a part of our team, contributing to activities including education, social media, archaeological excavation, community events and volunteer management.

This opportunity is suitable for someone with a solid background in cave archaeology and demonstrable enthusiasm for new and exciting methods of public engagement. The main focus of the project will be community archiving and excavation, which will be delivered on site in the Yorkshire Dales. This will be followed by post-excavation reporting and analysis, as well as exhibition planning and community events. You’ll be with us on site while we’re in action, and carry on your learning with the team through the all-important post-ex phase. You will be fully supported by senior colleagues all areas of the work, and we will do our best to match your training goals to opportunities available within our project.

Our team is small but mighty, and has experienced great success to date based on our collective belief in the power and importance of communities for archaeology: digital, local and global. We’re looking for someone who shares our values and is excited about expanding their skill set, as well as working alongside our professionals and volunteers.

Relationships – The primary function of the Community Archaeologist is to build relationships, develop communities and support their involvement in archaeology, including online tools and offline events. You’ll be side-by-side with our project partners and participants every step of the way.

Content creation – You’ll be producing blog posts, newsletters, photos and other digital communications based on the project’s direction and the interests of community members.

Excavation & Archiving – you’ll assist with the delivery of fieldwork and archiving. You’ll need to be able to manage a trench, and be comfortable excavating in a cave environment.

Event planner – Help us plan and deliver events and relevant ways to connect the project’s communities.

Reporting and analytics – By setting goals and monitoring data it will be easy to see where adjustments need to be made in outreach. You’ll also be an essential part of the project reporting for the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 Job Requirements

•  Archaeology degree or equivalent sector experience.
• Experience of Cave Archaeology
• At least five years professional experience, at least one of which must be in development-led archaeology
• Thorough knowledge of social media platforms. Do you have your own blog? If so, please include links.
• Familiar with WordPress web platform.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to understand and respond appropriately to different audiences.
• Excellent organisational, time and self-management skills; must be comfortable working remotely. Please note, the core team is dispersed, and Skype is used frequently.
• Knowledge of applications, including Windows, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Do you have other proficiencies (such as grant writing or video production) that could be relevant to this post? If so, please include details.

Public & Education Archaeologist


Job Type: Full time, fixed term 6-month contract

Salary: £19,500 – £22,500 depending on experience (Pro Rata: BAJR level 4)

Closing date for applications: 17^th June 2015

Interviews: 30^th June or 1^st July, in London

Does working with an innovative, community-focused social enterprise to deliver a unique HLF-funded project to discover and record Yorkshire’s hidden history sound like fun? If so, we’re looking for a Public & Education Archaeologist to be a part of our team.

People learn best when they’re having fun, and you’re someone who knows how to make learning fun for people of all ages using a mix of formal and informal teaching. You may have already worked in public outreach in commercial archaeology, organised workshops, lectures, holiday activities and learning events in a museum, or you could be working in local schools and colleges. Your commitment to delivering energetic, fun and original education and public outreach activities, and your track record of working with groups of all ages will set you apart from the field.

Your chance to really shine will happen on site delivering our activities as part of the excavation and archiving project. You’ll be the point person for local schools, societies and continuing education initiatives; so, confident communication and presentation skills are a must, particularly in front of the camera, because we film everything! You’ll be comfortable designing and working with learning and outreach materials including digital media, historical objects, worksheets, and audio-visual displays. You’ll assist us in planning and running training; follow up, and evaluation. You will be fully supported by senior colleagues across all areas of work, and we will do our best to match your training goals to opportunities available within our project.

Our team is small but mighty, and has experienced great success to date based on our collective belief in the power and importance of communities for archaeology: digital, local and global. We’re looking for someone to help us complete the development and implementation of an appealing and inspiring, new education and outreach programme which links into our new project.

Job Requirements

• Relevant undergraduate degree and/or experience
• At least 3+ years professional experience, at least one of which is in development-led archaeology
• Ability to generate and evaluate creative ideas for interpretation
• Knowledge of relevant learning schemes and the National Curriculum
• Understanding of learning styles and effective methods of heritage education
• Experience of working with and managing volunteers
• Effective at working in a busy team and ability to adapt to any changes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational, time and self-management skills; comfortable working remotely.
• Computer literate, including Windows, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Do you have any other proficiencies that could be relevant to this post? If so, 
please include details.

**If you are selected for interview you will be asked to provide us with proof of your eligibility to work in the UK (e.g. passport or Home Office visa). Additionally, under the asylum and immigration act, we are required to check that anyone taking up employment with us has the legal right to work in the EU.

About the project

This project will focus on cave archaeology in the limestone uplands of the Yorkshire Dales, aiming to increase awareness, teach new skills and build heritage capacity around one of the most significant and threatened archaeological resources in the country.

Interested?

Send a CV and a short covering letter (300 words max) detailing whihc job you’re applying for, why you want to work with DigVentures, any relevant experience, and a bit about what you do for fun to hello@digventures.com.

Please note, these positions are primarily about making connections and effective communication, so it’s very important that you write well and are conversationally adept. Forget what you know about the standard way to write covering letters, and use this as an opportunity to flex your writing muscles and let us get to know you.