Project Archivist, New Haven Museum, New Haven, CT

Posted June 2, 2022

Description:

The Whitney Library of the New Haven Museum seeks an experienced archivist for a short-term project
to arrange, describe, rehouse and create a finding aid for a newly acquired collection related to the
Townsend/Townshend family of New Haven, Connecticut. The collection consists of sixty linear feet of
documents, photographs, books and ephemera.

Scope of Work:

• Review collection to determine best arrangement.
• Determine appropriate housing of the collection.
• Remove items from frames as needed.
• Work with New Haven Museum staff to identify potential conservation issues and seek methods to resolve said issues.
• Create an intellectually organized readable finding aid for the collection.
• Work with New Haven Museum collections manager to connect the finding aid to the museum’s existing collections management software, Re: discovery.
• Compare the published books in this collection to the existing book collection of the Whitney Library of the New Haven Museum.
• Identify and make recommendations for a select number of individual items within the collection to be digitized, and made available through the online module of the Re:discovery database.
• Liaise with New Haven Museum collections manager while processing items from the collection to go into the art, artifacts and graphics collection.

Qualifications:

• MLS/MLIS with a concentration in archives or other graduate degree with certificate in Archival Studies or ACA certification.
• Knowledge and experience in current archival best practices.
• Minimum of 5 years processing archival and manuscript material.
• Knowledge and experience in working with collections management databases desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current national archival and descriptive standards and best practices, including DACS, LCSH, and LCNAF.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Problem solver with a positive attitude who is able to listen closely and develop solutions.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to lift and move 40-pound boxes.

Compensation:

• The contract will cover approximately 480 hours of work, beginning May 2022. Flexible schedule.
• The contract will pay $30-$40 hr., not to exceed $17,500. No benefits.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to
[email protected]. No phone calls please. EEO