Gallery Technician

You will join the team at a time when Manchester City Galleries is undertaking significant capital development. This includes major improvements to storage, the rehousing of collections, and upgrades to exhibition and conservation spaces. Your technical skills will contribute to both day-to-day programme delivery and the longer-term transformation of the organisation. 

We would love to hear from you if you have experience of: 

• Working in a museum or gallery environment with at least 2 years’ gallery technician experience 
• Working with collections and have a good awareness of museum standards and collections care 
• Hold a clean driving licence and be willing to drive the gallery van between sites 
• Being a team player with excellent communication skills 
• Being able to demonstrate good practice in equality, diversity and inclusion 

Essential requirements for the role:  

Use the examples on the role profile Generic skills and technical requirements section. 

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and in ways that promote understanding.
• Able and confident to resolve technical issues and problems using logical thinking to explain reasoning behind decisions or actions taken. 
• Demonstrate the ability to complete multiple tasks in the most effective way, and work to the assigned time and energy according to task complexity and priority. 
•  Is able to make effective decisions on a day-to-day basis, taking ownership of decisions, demonstrating sound judgement in escalating issues where necessary. Be logical in thinking and explain reasoning behind decisions or actions taken. 
• Ability to think creatively and provide innovative solutions to problems. Has ability to develop new approaches to finding solutions while maintaining policies and procedures. 
• Skills to use ICT systems to obtain and make use of data. 
• Excellent hand skills and ability to accurately use tools and bench machinery to produce high quality display and storage materials.
•   
• A high level of knowledge of handing, packing, installation and care of a wide range of art works/museum collections. 
• Ability to design, cut and fabricate resources out of wood and other materials, to a high level of detail and accuracy regarding display and storage of collection items. 
• An in-depth knowledge of wood joints and construction methods, with a focused ability on constructing crates or t-frames for collection transportation and storage. 
• Experience of using word-processing, databases, spreadsheets, internet and email software etc  
• Knowledge of health and safety issues relating to manual handling, use of tools and equipment, PPE, COSHH etc. 
• Full clean driving licence (manual transmission) with the ability to drive 3.5 tonne vehicles. 

Desirable requirements that would be useful in this role:  

• IPAF licence
• Knowledge and experience of current good practice in collections care and collections management and documentation standards and procedures in museums and galleries 

Manchester City Galleries are proudly part of Manchester City Council and belong to the people of Manchester. We believe that creativity can be a powerful force in making a healthy society and achieving positive social change, and that art can expand our knowledge of the world and our sense of place within it.

At our three sites – Manchester Art Gallery (MAG), Platt Hall, and our Queens Park Conservation Studios (QP) - we care for a collection of over 50,000 objects including art, craft and design, and clothing. Across our sites we meet the needs of Manchester’s varied communities through exhibitions, engagement and education, that connects art and people. We do this with and for residents, to be relevant in the present, and shape our future.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. 

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. 

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. 

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. 

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk. 

What we will need from you if you’re successful 

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.  

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance:  BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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