Part-time/Term-limited Archives Assistant, Historic New England, Boston, MA
Posted April 5, 2022
Description:
Historic New England seeks a part-time Archives Assistant for a term-limited 12-month position in our Library and Archives. The library and archival collections consist of more than 1.5 million items (photographs, architectural drawings, ephemera, art, prints and engravings, manuscripts, books, and institutional archives) documenting New England’s social, cultural, and architectural history. Information is shared with the public through an online collections catalogue, publications, social media, and via onsite appointments. The Archives Assistant supports the library and archives team in original cataloguing/processing of the Ephemera Collection as well as tasks associated with preparing the archives collections for a move to a temporary swing space and off-site storage later in the year.
Classification: Part-time; term-limited 12-month position; 20 hours per week
Location: Otis House, Boston, Massachusetts
Key Roles and Responsibilities: The part-time Archives Assistant is responsible for the following primary functions and other duties as assigned:
- Verification of full COVID-19 vaccination status or exemption approved by Historic New England prior to the start date of employment
- Works with members of the Library and Archives team to make the Ephemera Collection available online and prepare archival collections for a move to swing space
- Creating item-level records for the Ephemera Collection cataloging process, describing the collection using concise, formatted, and detailed description according to archival best practices
- Rehousing collections and working with the digital photographer to digitize images for online availability including the creation of metadata for use in our digital asset management system
- Archival collections end processing, data clean-up in the collections management database, inventory creation, handling of fragile and oversized materials, and measuring collections for adequate storage
Skills and Qualifications:
- ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science or archival program, or completed archives coursework working toward the degree, and at least a year of related experience
- Fully competent user of computerized collections management systems, such as Minisis, ArchivesSpace, or Re:Discovery
- Experienced in creating item-level catalogue records, arranging and describing archival and manuscript collections, and developing electronic finding aids according to archival best practices
- Experienced in using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), and controlled vocabularies such as AAT, TGN, LCSH, and LCNAF
- A high degree of attention to detail, strong communication skills, an ability to work independently to effectively manage time and projects to meet deadlines are required
- Ability to lift cartons of 40 lbs. or more
- Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion
Salary: $20.00 hourly
Why Historic New England? At Historic New England, we celebrate the region’s diverse stories and rich cultural heritage. As we work externally reexamining our shared past to build a better future, internally we place focus on cultivating a powerful, inclusive, and diverse team experience. We are a team that prioritizes taking the time to celebrate our successes — both big and small — as we grow together and learn from one another. Visit our YouTube channel to find out more about the ways we’re making history together.
How to apply:
Applications: Please send cover letter and resume 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, gender identity, or sexual orientation.