*Do not apply for this role via the SEA website. You must apply via the Careers Service Website to be considered*
Host organisation: Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT)
Location: Remote and DHBT office (Wirksworth) with up to one week of initial training at Derbyshire County Council’s offices in Matlock (details to be agreed on appointment)
Contract: January to mid-March (Dates to be finalised on appointment)
Hours: 10-15 hours per week, with possible scope for additional hours by mutual agreement
Rate of Pay : £12.98 per hour
Introduction
DHBT is undertaking an ambitious programme of Buildings at Risk (B@R) surveying and data collation. As part of this work, DHBT is collaborating with Derbyshire County Council (DCC) to explore how the B@R data can be integrated into the county’s Historic Environment Record (HER).
The HER is a critical resource that documents Derbyshire’s archaeological and built heritage. Importing the B@R survey data requires careful record preparation, data cleaning and structured linkage across thousands of Listed Building and Monument records.
To support this, DHBT is recruiting a Data Assistant (HER Integration) Intern to help prepare and organise the datasets required for import.
Full training in HER data structures, terminology and the HBSMR (Historic Buildings, Sites and Monuments Record) system will be provided by Derbyshire County Council.
Purpose of the Role
To assist DHBT and DCC’s HER Officer in ensuring that Historic Environment Record entries are accurately prepared, cleaned, structured and checked allowing the semi-automated import of B@R survey data and associated PDF outputs.
This is a data-focused heritage role, ideal for someone interested in historic buildings, data-entry, digital heritage, GIS and heritage information systems.
Key responsibilities
1. Data preparation for HER support
Prepare, clean and review datasets to ensure they align with HER data structures and can be imported efficiently.
Work with DHBT’s Heritage Development Officer to verify that each Listed Building Designation record has a corresponding Monument Record. It should be noted that large gaps exist in some areas (e.g. Derbyshire Dales and Derby City).
2. Support the creation and updating of HERs
Support the creation or correction of Monument Records, where required, to enable data linkage.
3. Linking B@R survey records to HER entries
Prepare and correctly name the PDF survey reports for each building in accordance with HER import requirements. Check that the correct ID is associated with the correct Monument record prior to import. Assist in quality control checks of automated or semi-automated linkages performed by DCC or external bodies such as Exegesis.
4. Quality Checking
Undertake checking to ensure that:
- Survey IDs correspond to the correct HER entries.
- Condition assessments and risk categories are mapped consistently.
- Any anomalies in the dataset are identified and resolved.
- Prepare logs of issues to support efficient solutions.
5. GIS and Digital Heritage Support
Work with the Heritage Development Officer to prepare outputs from QGIS where required and support the testing of export mechanisms developed by DHBT’s app developer.
6. Documentation and reporting
Maintain clear documentation of processes, issues and recommendations to support long-term data management. Produce simple guidance notes for DHBT on maintaining HER compatibility in future survey work.
Training and Support
The intern will receive one week of structured training at DCC’s HER offices including:
- Introduction to HER and HBSMR
- Database structures and record relationships
- Adding and editing entries
- Source records and referencing
- Data validation
Throughout the internship the intern will receive support from DHBT’s Heritage Development Officer and the wider B@R Steering Group.
Person Specification
Essential
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data handling
Confident using digital tools
Good organisational skills and ability to follow structured processes
Ability to work independently once trained
Clear communication skills – particularly written
Interest in historic buildings and/or heritage data
Desirable
Experience with GIS
Familiarity with historic building recording
Understanding of digital data
Experience working with large datasets
Ability to spot inconsistencies and solve problems methodically.
This position offers a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience dealing with heritage data management and practical experience with DHBT’s B@R project. You will directly contribute to improving public access to the county’s historic buildings data.