Archivist & Museum Coordinator, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MA
Posted March 16, 2020
Reporting directly to the Head of Adult Services, the Westfield Athenaeum Archivist is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, organization, cataloging, processing, care and accessibility of Archival and museum materials; organizing and creating exhibits for the Edwin Smith Historical Museum and Athenaeum, providing reference services to researchers; identifying materials needing repair and conservation; ensuring use of proper preservation techniques; properly storing materials; preparing information and collections for web-based and exhibit use; supervising and training interns, students, and volunteers to assist with collections & museum; maintaining the integrity of all archived files on the system; maintaining accurate procedures and records for the system. The Archivist will also 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 for donated material.
3. Oversee Edwin Smith Historical Museum operations including giving tours and training docents.
4. Supervise and schedule museum docents, volunteers, as well as Archives interns. Serve as museum docent as needed. Develop exhibits throughout the library that highlight our collections.
5. Lead future digitization projects.
6. 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.
7. Answer online and e-mail requests by searching for the materials, producing required reproductions, corresponding with researchers, and mailing materials.
8. Collaborate with Head of Adult Services & Director to maintain and administer policies determining preservation practices, reproduction and usage fees, research use of the collections, and copyright issues involved in digitization.
9. Provide collaborative support to the Athenaeum staff.
10. Perform related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
1. A degree in American History, Museum Studies or Archival Management is desired. Three years of related work is required in some combination of teaching, or conducting outreach with the public, acting as a docent in a museum setting, or managing archival collections.
2. The ability to work in both a collaborative work culture and a self-tasked solitary environment.
3. A demonstrated ability to coordinate and complete projects with limited resources.
4. Curiosity and intensity to track down information and synthesize results for the public.
5. Applicants must pass a criminal background check (CORI).
6. Applicants must be able to lift up to 40 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Skills
Experience with: Archivist Toolkit, Omeka, Adobe Lightroom, DACS, EAD, MARC records, Photoshop, Silverfast, Digital Libraries, Google Docs, Microsoft Office suite, preservation or conservation.
Salary Range: $17-$21/hour
Schedule
24 hours per week
Flexible Schedule, but Saturdays are required
To Apply
Send your cover letter and resume to [email protected] or Kristen Hall, Administrative Assistant, Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085.