The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The University of Sheffield Library is seeking a passionate and driven individual to join our team as a Digital Engagement Officer. This role presents an exciting chance to have a substantial impact on enhancing cultural engagement and accessibility to the National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA). Join our world-class institution and be part of a team dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of travelling popular entertainment. Through the use of digital technologies and outreach initiatives, you will help expand access to this unique collection to research and wider communities, and engage with new audiences. If you possess a strong determination to create positive change and have a talent for turning imaginative ideas into reality, we encourage you to apply for this exceptional opportunity.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Enhance the visibility of key materials within the NFCA collection by delivering digital projects, 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 our online and in person activities, including our use of online platforms and social media, collecting statistics to assess their effectiveness in engaging with our target audiences.
• Oversee and develop the use of social media, online platforms, relevant 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 further 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, occasionally requiring 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

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

Details of the next steps will be provided to shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date, subject to the volume of applications received. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact library-hr@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes;
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a 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.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.