Finds Liaison Assistant

Finds Liaison Assistant for the South West Heritage Trust

Location: The main work base will be the Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter. There will be regular travel across Somerset, Devon and Dorset as part of the role.

Hours: 29.6 hours per week

Salary: £24,521 (pro rata)

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2027.

We are seeking a part-time Finds Liaison Assistant to join a small team which delivers the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) across four counties in the South West of England. This successful postholder will work four days a week assisting the Somerset, Cornwall and Devon Finds Liaison Officers.

The role has been developed to help the Trust’s PAS team identify and record archaeological finds and potential Treasure items reported. Records are created on the online national PAS database and include measurements, text descriptions and photographs.

The successful candidate will be a good communicator, able to confidently talk and engage with a broad range of people and members of the public, attending events and outreach activities when necessary. The FLA will assist in the training, direction and effective support of volunteers, self-recorders and student placements.

Applicants must have demonstrable experience of identifying archaeological finds, as well as some research and/or publication experience. You must also have experience of using databases. Some knowledge of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Treasure Act (1996) is also expected. The postholder will be expected to spend a portion of time to supporting Finds Recording and Treasure related work in Cornwall (as well as Devon and Somerset), including travelling to Cornwall.

You will be working in a small team to deliver this service across the counties and will need collaborative skills and the ability to liaise and work closely with other team members, finders, and wider PAS staff and specialist advisers.

The South West Heritage Trust works in partnership with Dorset Council, Devon County Council, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (Exeter City Council) and the British Museum to deliver the PAS across four counties.

The postholder will be based at the Devon Heritage Centre but will be required to travel throughout the four counties, including locations inaccessible by public transport, working some evenings and at the weekend. This travel will be financially supported as part of the role.

This is a fixed-term appointment in the first instance.

If you would like to have an informal discussion or experience any difficulties with the recruitment process, please contact Ann Bradford HR and Governance Manager via email: ann.bradford@swheritage.org.uk.

For further information and to access the application form, please follow the link below to our recruitment portal. Please note CVs are not accepted as applications.

Closing date: 9.00 am Monday 1 June 2026

Interview date: Wednesday 17 June 2026