Collection Care
The museum collection needs looking after and we are looking for volunteers to assist the Collections Manager
with tasks such as cataloguing, updating the database, physical care of objects, conditions monitoring, and organising storage.
Oral History Technical Editor
You will need to be computer-literate to do this role as it involves editing the raw audio files collected
by oral history interviewers to eliminate unwanted noises and digressions (e.g. interruptions, external
noises, hesitation noises, repetitions) to produce agood quality recording suitable for publication where
practicable. Previous experience with Audacity or similar software would be desirable
Oral History Transcriber
For reference, and for publication as an aid to hearing-impaired users, we create transcripts of oral history recordings. This involves listening and writing down what is said. It is a role that could be carried out from home if preferred.
Blogger Relationship Manager
This will be a new role and an important one for the museum. We are looking for someone who will research and compile a database of bloggers whose interests include London, boats, canals, history or any other connection with the museum,
and work on establishing and furthering relationships with them. The aim is to obtain favourable coverage in blogs of the museum and its activities such as boat trips and
special events. The relationship manager will organise at least two blogger events in the museum each year and invite suitable blog owners along, and will
organise hospitality for these events and facility trips such as boat trips. The relationship manager will keep bloggers informed about developments and
activities of interest at the museum without overdoing the contact, and provide photographs and text content for their use. There will be flexibility as to how to work and what to do and working on own inititive is essential.
A budget for hospitality will be available. Note that this role does not involve use of social media but you will of course liaise with others in the team as necessary.
Video Producer
We have an opportunity for someone with a mixture of technical and editorial and research skills to make a range of videos for the museum's Youtube channel and other platforms. An interest in canal history is important for this,
as is the ability to do all the technical aspects of video making including adding subtitles, and editing. You would need to research the subject, write the script or outline, do the filming, and put the whole thing together. The videos
will be mainly public education videos about canal history, although there is also an opportunity to make promotional material for the museum. You'll be expected to work on your own initiative but we will consider paying for equipment hire
if necessary, and will meet any out-of-pocket expenses.
IT Support Assistant
We have a variety of IT systems and if you are good with computers, networking, and the maintenance of hardware and software, we'd like to talk
to you. We have an IT Manager who is in the lead but who could do with some help. The amount of time needed will fluctuate, there
will seldom be regular times or regular work. You will be prepared to come in when there ar problems to be solved as well as to do routine jobs.
Tugmaster
Our tug Bantam IV is an important part of the museum collectionand we are looking for someone to look after it. This is a collection care role but
a role with a difference. The Tugmaster is expected to;
- Start the engine at least every month throughout the year.
- Carry out routine maintenance such as winter frost precautions, cleaning, refuelling, etc. The extent of the work you can do will depend on personal capabilities
- Organise more demanding maintenance work with external contractors
- Organise surveys and boat safety certification occasionally
- Drive the tug to London events at weekends a few times a year
- Understand the Conservation Management Plan and carry out preventative maintenance tasks
- There may also be painting to be done,although this is not core to the role
The role will be suited to someone with some knowledge of diesel engines but you are not expected to be an expert - advice can be obtained if needed. You won't be afraid to get dirty!
Ice Cream Demonstrator
We are looking for a second costumed interpreter to act in the role of Mrs Agnes B. Marshall, (or, if male, her husband) a celebrated cook and teacher in her day and the publisher of two books
of ice cream recipies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She gave cookery demonstrations to large audiences in the days before such things were
done on television and we would like our costumed interpreter to do scheduled ice-cream making demonstrations for our visitors in the museum. Some demonstrations will
be for planned groups of visitors, mostly on weekdays, and some will be at weekends. We have a reproduction of Mrs Marshall's ice cream making machine that is
used for these demonstrations. A costume will be provided. You will need to:
- Be confident in talking to a small crowd and showing them how ice cream was made more than 100 years ago,
- Be happy to dress in Edwardian costume
- Be available approximately twice a month for 2-3 hours on an irregular basis, a mixture of weekdays and weekends
- Be scrupulous about cleanliness and food hygiene
- Be articulate in English (if you can also do this in another language that's a bonus!)
Download PDF file of Costumed Interpreter Role Description
