Interim Roving Archivist, Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board, MA
Posted July 28, 2021
Description:
The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) seeks to hire a trained and experienced archivist for a part-time, contract position to provide advice, consultation, and training to successful applicants in the Massachusetts SHRAB Roving Archivist Program.
This is an interim position of six months to provide temporary support to the Roving Archivist (RA) Program. Given the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on providing field services to cultural heritage institutions, the timeline for completion of site visits remains flexible. The position will begin in September 2021.
Duties of the Interim Roving Archivist include the following:
- Strategic Assessments: For small and medium cultural heritage institutions located throughout Massachusetts that apply and are approved to the RA program, perform “strategic assessments” of archival practices and procedures.
- These assessments include a site visit with collections and stakeholders which result in a customized report that outlines areas of strength, weakness, and priorities for action which act as a “next steps” document for awardee institutions.
- Interim RA is available after the assessment for continued advice and guidance to visited sites. Interim RA will update the SHRAB on progress and needs of institutions involved with the RA program accordingly.
- Coordinating activities with returning Roving Archivist to provide continuity of service to existing and new awardee institutions.
- Upload assessments and associated information in AirTable database.
- Outreach and education: Promoting the RA program through cultural heritage groups and events as well as social media. Conducting training on archival topics and best practices.
A successful applicant for the position of Interim Roving Archivist will possess a number of specific qualifications. These will include:
Required Qualifications:
- Masters degree in Library/Information/Archives Science or related subject matter from an ALA accredited school or equivalent;
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the archives profession and/or an applicable field (such as museum or historical society work);
- Strong verbal and written communication and listening skills;
- Consulting experience;
- Willingness to work independently and with the public;
- Experience working with documents in a range of formats, including, but not restricted to, paper, photographs, and electronic records;
- Knowledge of archival preservation concepts and practices and the ability to explain them to non-professionals;
- Own or have access to a motor vehicle and have a valid driver’s license.
Desired qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of public and non-public records issues, including familiarity with the Massachusetts Municipal Records Retention Schedule; (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/arcrcb/rcbmunicipal.htm)
- Experience setting up archives;
- Knowledge of Massachusetts repositories and history;
- Experience working with historical societies;
- Experience with multiple cataloging systems;
- Practical approach to problem-solving.
Compensation: This is a part-time, contract position funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The Roving Archivist is paid at a rate of $32.00 per hour and reimbursed for travel at $0.57 per mile, up to a maximum of $14,000 over six months. This is a non-benefitted position.
How to Apply:
Applicants should submit a resume and 3 references electronically to:
Massachusetts SHRAB
Subject Line: Roving Archivist application
Please direct any questions to Dr. John Warner at (617) 727-2816.
Application deadline: Friday, August 20th at 11:59 pm ET.
For more information on the MA SHRAB and the Roving Archivist Program: https://mashrabblog.wordpress.com/roving-archivist-program/