Archives Manager, Otis House Museum, Boston, MA
Posted October 18, 2016
Description: This position works as part of the collection services team to manage the operations and administrative activities of the Library and Archives, supporting timely and productive work by all staff and ensuring excellent public service. The archives manager is responsible for the preservation and physical cataloguing and intellectual accessibility of archival and library holdings. The archives manager oversees and is responsible for providing reference services for these holdings to the public by means of online access, research appointments, and written and oral communication via e-mail, and telephone.
Responsibilities: Manages the daily activities of the Library and Archives including supervising the work of the library and archives specialist, digital photographer, part-time and special project cataloguers, and interns and volunteers. Provides reference services for the library and archival holdings for staff and the public by means of online access, research appointments, and written and oral communication via e-mail and telephone. Provides access to archives collections to contractors and staff when necessary. Catalogues archival collections and creates electronic records in the Minisis collections management system for inclusion in Historic New England’s online collections access database. Updates library and archives content on HistoricNewEngland.org. Organizes and provides access to extensive collections of photographs, architectural drawings, prints and engravings, ephemera, manuscripts, books, and the institutional archives of Historic New England. Coordinates records management and digital asset management initiatives. Works with the senior curator of Library and Archives on priorities for appraising, arranging, and describing archival collections of books, transparencies, serials, manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, architectural drawings, and other holdings. Participates in institutional initiatives, serves on committees and task forces, writes for Historic New England publications, and participates in the activities of professional organizations such as the Society of American Archivists and the New England Archivists.
Qualifications: Requires ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, or a Master’s in History, Architectural History, Art History, or Museum Studies, and 5+ years job-related experience. Requires supervisory experience. Requires practical and technical knowledge of archival methods procedures, and techniques. Must have experience arranging and describing manuscript/archival collections; strong technical skills; a solid knowledge of MARC cataloguing practices; familiarity and experience with XML, and EAD encoding. Must have experience with library management databases, digital assessment management practices, and the use of standardized museum and library/archive nomenclature. Must have experience with digital photography practices and standards. Requires fully competent computer skills including experience using MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access software; Adobe™ Photoshop; share drive applications, including Dropbox. Must have excellent writing skills. This employee must be able to operate effectively in a team environment, where communication within and among teams is essential to success. Ability to interact and communicate with staff orally and in writing is essential. Must have experience and ability working directly with the public. A valid driver’s license and a means of transportation are required.
Applications: Applications will be accepted through November 2, 2016. Please send résumé, cover letter, and salary requirements to [email protected]
Historic New England is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to supporting equality of opportunity and respect for diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity in employment to all qualified persons without regard to non-work-related factors such as race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
Historic New England offers generous and comprehensive vacation, holiday, and health and wellness benefit packages.