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Special Project Archivist, Department of Cultural Affairs, New York, NY

Posted May 22, 2018

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The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) provides funding and support to New York City’s cultural community, including the 33 cultural institutions that comprise the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and more than 1,100 not-profit cultural organizations throughout the five boroughs of the City. This constituency represents a diverse array of internationally renowned cultural organizations, including performing arts centers, museums, theaters, wildlife centers, botanical gardens, visual arts and film centers, as well as community-based organizations and arts education programs. DCLA manages a significant portfolio of cultural capital projects; provides donated materials for arts programs; provides capacity building support to cultural groups; and commissions works of public art.

The Special Project Archivist will work in a team of two (2) for a term of one (1) year to create a comprehensive inventory of the City’s current collection of public art, monuments and historic markers. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Coordinate with relevant New York City agencies to collect data on their public art, monuments, and historic markers.
  • Field work, including community outreach and site visits to survey artworks.
  • Using the collected data and the Public Design Commission’s Access database records and physical archive files, create a spreadsheet that includes all public art, monuments, and historic markers on City-owned property. The datum must include: artist, title, dimensions, medium, location, location history, subject matter keywords, PDC archive series numbers, and other information as deemed necessary.
  • Research the collected public art data using outside resources to check discrepancies and confirm accuracy of the data. Submit a draft list with suggested edits and information sources tracked to the PDC.
  • After the list is accepted by the PDC, enter data into the PDC database and geocode the locations.
  • Research and provide a list of short-term and long-term digital asset management solutions (software) for maintaining an up-to-date record of public artworks. The list must include a summary of the software’s capabilities, pros and cons, and costs.
  • Develop content for a website that will feature an interactive database of the City’s current collection of public art, monuments and historic markers. (Note: the City’s IT department designs the City’s website and will provide templates for information.)
  • Curate at least one social media post per week regarding the public art inventory project for the Public Design Commission’s social media platform.
  • Assist with general project-related tasks as required.

Minimum Qual Requirements

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
  2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
  3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.

Preferred Skills
A minimum of two (2) years of related work experience in archives.Demonstrated proficiency in project management, communication, and outreach activities. Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a variety of project stakeholders. Experience conducting historical research. Working knowledge of New York City history and public art a plus. Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite. Proficiency in Excel and Access required. Experience with geocoding and web content management, a plus. A baccalaureate degree in the fields of information management, art history, library science, archives, or museum studies is preferred.

To Apply
For City employees, please go to Employee Self Service (ESS), click Recruiting Activities > Careers, and search for Job Opening ID # 346677

For all other applicants, please go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job Opening ID # 346677

Note: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. For more information about DCLA, visit us at www.nyc.gov/culture

All appointments are subject to OMB approval.

Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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