Senior Preservation Officer

Senior Preservation Officer

Job no: 497192
Work type: Full time
Location: Canberra

Who we are

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) provides leadership in the best practice management of the official record of the Commonwealth and ensures that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.

Our vision: National Archives is committed to being a world‑leading archive and strives to strengthen Australia’s cultural identity and democracy by connecting people with the evidence of Australian Government activities and decisions.

National Archives endeavours to meet the future needs of government and expectations of the Australian public in our rapidly changing digital environment. Underpinning the transformative strategies to enable, secure, connect and innovate is a drive for comprehensive digital capability and service delivery. National Archives is committed to:

- inclusion

National Archives is also committed to developing the capability and expertise of our staff, we offer a Studies Assistance Program that supports staff to achieve individual goals as well as increasing their capacity to help achieve National Archives’ strategic objectives. Our Health and Wellbeing Program encourages and supports a healthier workplace and healthy lifestyle choices for all employees.

About the role

The Collection Management Branch is responsible for setting information management requirements for Australian Government agencies, and selecting, managing and preserving the National Archives’ collection so it remains accessible for future generations. The Branch develops policies and systems as well as provides services, undertakes research, and plans and implements projects relating to the care, management and accessibility of archival records.

The Preservation section is responsible for the preservation and long‑term accessibility of the most significant records of the Commonwealth in both physical and digital form. This position supports daily operations for the preservation of archival records in all formats and contributes to long‑term decisions to ensure that the collection will be available years from now regardless of technology.

Under limited direction the main duties of the role are to:

- Undertake and manage project, and complex treatments, to support the preservation of archival records, including the preservation and management of physical records to meet long‑term preservation objectives, with particular emphasis on paper and photographic formats.

- Contribute to the planning, management, and reporting activities as they relate to the preservation of the national archival collection.

- Contribute to the National Archives' change agenda, problem identification and solving, training and professional development.

- Contribute to the development of user guides, procedures, specifications and guidelines relevant to the preservation of the national archival collection ensuring that the best practices are in place.

- Provide high‑level technical advice on preservation issues to internal and external stakeholder. Including providing advice relating to the display of National Archives collection, materials analysis, collection conditions and appropriate supplies and materials to use.

- Respond to disasters within the National Archives' collection and provide advice to government agencies regarding incidents that they may experience.

- Maintain a well‑developed understanding of National and International Preservation practices, standards and policies.

- Develop relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders, both national and international, cultural institutions, government agencies and private companies.

- Apply the principles of APS Values, Code of Conduct, workplace diversity principles, work health and safety and participative management within a work and team environment.

Qualifications or extensive high‑level professional experience in Cultural Materials Conservation is preferred.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the role you must be an Australian citizen. If you are selected, you will be required to successfully undergo a pre‑employment check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a Negative Vetting 1 clearance level.

- The names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom should be a current supervisor.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Advertised: 31 Oct 2025 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 14 Nov 2025 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time

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