Archivist – Special Collections & Museum, Westfield Atheneaum, Westfield, MA
Posted August 19, 2019
Salary range: $17-$21/hour
24 hours per week
Flexible Schedule, but Saturdays are required
Position Overview:
Reporting directly to the Head of Reference, The Westfield Athenaeum Archivist is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, organization, cataloging, processing, care and accessibility of Archival and museum materials; organize and create exhibits for the Edwin Smith Historical Museum and Athenaeum, provide reference services to researchers; identify materials needing repair and conservation; ensure use of proper preservation techniques; shelve materials; help prepare information and collections for web-based and exhibit use; supervise and train interns, students, and volunteers to assist with collections & museum; maintain integrity of all archived files on the system; maintain accurate procedures and records for the system; provide hands-on training and support for new internal and general users, create documentation for administrative support and training, and perform any other functions necessary to the operation of the archives, museum or Athenaeum as a whole.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Process incoming and backlogged collections according to Archival Standards including creating finding
aids, MARC records, and/or using DACS and EAD for a digital presence.
2. Research, organize and store museum and archival acquisitions according to archival standards. Serve
as point person on staff for donated material.
3. Oversee Edwin Smith Museum operations. Perform museum exhibit research and preparation.
Supervise and schedule museum docents, volunteers, interns in both Archives and museum. Serve as
museum docent as needed. Work to develop library exhibits that highlight the archival and museum
collections.
4. Lead future digitization projects.
5. Assist on-site researchers and visitors by explaining library and archival policy, conducting reference
interviews, identifying and retrieving research materials, photocopying documents, and monitoring the
researcher.
6. Answer online and e-mail requests by searching for the materials, producing required reproductions,
corresponding with researchers, and mailing materials.
7. Collaborate with Athenaeum Director to maintain and administer policies determining preservation
practices, reproduction and usage fees, research use of the collections, and copyright issues involved in
digitization.
8. Provide collaborative support to the Athenaeum staff.
9. Perform related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
1. Masters in Library Science, MA in Archival Management; or related discipline and three years of related
work is required. Applicants must have thorough knowledge of archival standards, strong verbal and
written communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently and meet project goals and deadlines.
2. Demonstrated coordination and completion of projects with limited resources and working in a
collaborative culture.
3. Experience in reference and research support.
4. Applicants must pass a criminal background check. (CORI).
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Experience with Archivist Toolkit, Omeka, Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Silverfast, Digital Libraries
and Best Practices for Digital Libraries, Archivist certification.
2. Applicants must be able to lift up to 40 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
To Apply: resume to the Westfield Athenaeum 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085 attention Kristen Hall or through email at [email protected]
Application Deadline: We are accepting applications through August 28, 2019