Digitisation Operative

 Find your magic with us

Connecting people to their family stories is special.  We’re proud to deliver these magic moments. Through technology, data and insights, we bring people closer to their past, to benefit their future. ​

We’re a fast-growing team of smart people, on a mission to help millions.  Solve meaningful, complex problems and be a part of something magical.  Enjoy the agility of a scale-up with the security of real financial backing, in a place where every story matters.

Why join our team?

Findmypast has been collaborating with the British Library since 2010 to digitise their extensive newspaper collection. This project spans across various work streams and locations. As part of this initiative, we’re looking for individuals to join us at the British Library building in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to a digitisation project within a public sector environment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, a proactive ‘can do’ attitude, and demonstrate excellent communication skills along with meticulous attention to detail. Collaboration is key, so being a team player is essential. Additionally, the ability to quickly adapt to new software and handle multiple tasks simultaneously is crucial.

If you have an interest in working with rare materials and are eager to gain practical experience in digitisation, then this role could be an excellent fit for you.

Please note that this role would require getting yourself to the British Library in Boston Spa and working 4pm – 10 pm Monday to Friday.

The appointment of a successful candidate is subject to passing an enhanced background check.

You won’t find any bureaucracy here, but you will find:

• Generous holiday allowance with the chance to buy more
• A pension contribution that stands out in the market (9.5% matched company contribution with a 6% contribution from the employee’s side).
• All the health and wellbeing benefits you’d expect and some you wouldn’t https://findmypast.pinpointhq.com/
• The chance to work with smart and fun people on products that will bring joy to millions.

About the Role:

Here’s what the role involves:

• To learn all the scanning processes.
• To meet targets in all sections of the project.
• Scan newspapers and other archive material.
• Quality control of images and metadata.
• Actively take part in project meetings.
• Carry out adhoc instructions from management.
• Work within British Library and Findmypast guidelines and procedures.
• Ensure the work area is kept tidy at all times.
• To ensure that Health & Safety and Security Procedures are adhered to at all times including
• To carry out quality assurance checks, using specific guidelines given.
• To carry out any other reasonable duties falling within your capabilities, as the needs of the company dictate.

About you:

• Experience of working to deadlines and targets
• Excellent communication skills
• Great attention to detail and high standards
• Competent IT skills and willing to learn about software packages and network setups
• Consideration and respect for history and historical items
• Ability to work independently and part of a team
• Good motivational skills
• Ability to keep motivated during long periods of repetitive work
• Process-driven with a flexible approach
• ‘Can do’ attitude and a strong work ethic

Desirable skills and experience

• An interest in history and archive material
• Experience with photography software
• Experience with filenaming conventions

If you said yes to these, and this all sounds appealing, then get in touch. This could be the start of something special.

What to expect next:

Our interview process is fast and goes like this:

• First stage telephone interview finding out a little more about your skill set and the role (30 mins)
• Onsite interview with the team. This is an opportunity to use the scanners to try out firsthand what the role would be like. (60 mins)

We don’t want our approach to hold anyone back, so if we need to tweak this for you, please just ask. Plus we’d love to know your pronouns so please let us know when you apply.

We want Findmypast to be the best company for all our diverse employees and customers.  If you’d like a deeper understanding of our commitment to diversity, check out our careers page.

To apply for this role, please follow our online application process and submit a CV and cover letter.

Benefits

We’re passionate about making FMP a great place to work and setting people up to succeed. Benefits include:

• 26 days holidays (pro rated) + UK bank holidays. We also offer the option to purchase up to 4 additional days.
• Excellent pension contribution from day one of up to 15.5% of your basic salary (9.5% matched company contribution with a 6% contribution from the employee’s side).
• Flexible working, as we want all our employees to have a brilliant work-life balance.
• Enhanced and shared maternity/paternity/adoption leave.
• Learning & Development budget, access to LinkedIn Learning and training opportunities.
• Various social remote activities to keep connected as a company.
• Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing app access and Mental Health First Aiders.
• Life assurance.
• Private medical insurance, health and dental cash plan options.
• Gym membership and staff discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Season travel tickets.
• Subscriptions to Findmypast and British Newspaper Archive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and want Findmypast to be the best company for all our diverse employees and customers. We encourage applications from everyone and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability status or any other protected characteristics. If you’d like a deeper understanding of our commitment to diversity, check out our careers page.  Should you require adjustments to be made to the recruitment process, please let us know and if you’d like to share your pronouns then please do!

If you are a recruitment agency, please be aware that we’re not looking for additional assistance with recruitment. Please do not send us CVs. We will not be responsible for fees related to unsolicited CVs.​

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early once we have received suitable applications. Therefore, please ensure you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.