Associate Archivist, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Posted July 2, 2015
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is seeking applicants to fill an Associate Archivist position. Under the supervision of the Senior Archivist, this position is responsible for providing reference services both in person and by email, processing collections, assisting in overseeing digital initiatives and contributing information for grant proposals through research and data compilation. The position supervises interns, students and LHT employees and reports to the Sr. Archivist who reports to the Director of Collections.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Prepares for and hosts researcher visits by faculty, visiting scholars, students, Native American tribal members and the general public.
- Provides education in using and handling primary sources and orientation to the collections held by the Museum. Plans and delivers presentations for visiting classes.
- Responds to online research requests, compiles and tracks research and use statistics.
- Processes collections, including collection arrangement, re-housing, description, via TMS entries (The Museum System database), archival encoded finding aids for OASIS, and MARC records for Hollis.
- Supervises interns from MLS programs in processing archival collections.
- Provides archival training for students, interns and LHT employees in handling primary source and sensitive collections.
- Prepares collections for digitization, and overseeing students’ and LHTS’ scanning projects, including measuring quality control.
- Contributes information for grant proposals through research and data compilation.
- Represents the Museum at regional or national meetings related to the archival and museum professions.
- Contributes to the Archives department’s policy and procedures evaluation and development.
- Recognizes potential problems that may arise from working with unpublished and sensitive collections in areas such as copyright, privacy, confidentiality and ownership.
Basic Qualifications: MLS from ALA-Accredited program or equivalent degree, with a concentration in Archives.
Additional Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years professional experience working in an archives setting highly preferred.
- Additional master’s degree in anthropology or archaeology preferred.
- Familiarity with museum and archival collections, including historic photographs, and knowledge of issues of handling, storage, and preservation of fragile archival collections.
- Knowledge of relational database software such as TMS highly preferred.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; collaborative and effective teamwork; proven ability to work independently, establish goals, set priorities and carry out project tasks with limited direction.
- Excellent writing, planning, research, communication, project management, customer service and public speaking skills and experience.
Interested applicants please apply directly online at, www.employment.harvard.edu. Please search requisition number (Auto Req. ID) 36284BR.