Associate Archivist

Description

This is a temporary, grant funded, three-year position. Under the direction of the Archivist and in consultation with the Photo Archive Conservator, the Associate Archivist will be responsible for daily tasks associated with the IMLS grant project to develop policies and plans to address the top priority preservation needs of its photo archive holdings. The photo archives are part of larger archives holdings that consists of over 3500 linear feet of material. The mission of the Museum of Northern Arizona is to inspire a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting, and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage. The museum’s collections include fine art, anthropology, biology, and geology in addition to archival collections.

Major Tasks:

• Complete the final assessment of the acetate pilot rehousing project previously completed
• Implement four pilot rehousing projects focused on print, slides, film, and audio collections
• Track media back to appropriate collection or institutional record group via intellectual description
• Draft condition assessment protocols
• Report on current condition of materials and types of deterioration
• Schedule routine monitoring to note any sudden deterioration
• Develop preservation and digitization guidelines for the care of individual formats
• Order re-housing supplies
• Document environmental, storage furniture, and re-housing needs for materials
• Re-house material and, if possible, move to ECC
• Capture administrative and descriptive metadata
• Prepare guidelines for structural metadata (dependent on CMS/DAMS)
• Draft digitization protocols specific to this media
• Draft preliminary condition assessments needed to prioritize preservation
• Appraise, arrange, and describe archival collections according to recognized archives standards (DACS, EAD, Dublin Core)
• Manage archives in an electronic database using existing (Argus, CONTENTdm) or new software
• Maintain records to track the estimated amount of archival rehousing supplies needed to properly store media covered under the four pilot projects
• Maintain records to calculate the amount of time required to re-house and document essential metadata
• Maintain records to calculate the amount of cool and cold storage required
• Aid Archivist in the development of a digital preservation policy and plan
• Aid Archivist with assessing and identifying necessary digitizing equipment
• Research copyright and ownership issues
• Will work with the Archivist to draft a report for each pilot project
• Help Archivist supervise volunteers, interns, and student workers

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Masters Degree in Museum Studies, Archives, Library Science or related field with three years of experience preferred.

Abilities, Skills, and Knowledge:

The ideal candidate will have or is:

• Archival experience in a museum setting
• Familiar with records produced by natural science, cultural and fine arts sources
• Prior experience with scanning, image manipulation and digitizing software, digital standards, copyright and permissions required
• Comfortable working independently or as part of a team
• Experience and education in photoarchives a plus
• Experience in supervising students and volunteers a plus
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail essential
• Awareness of cultural sensitivity issues helpful
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, orally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Must be able to lift heavy containers (50lbs) and handle fragile items

Working Conditions:
Generally work indoors, usually between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday. Odd hours and long days may occasionally be required, including weekend days.

Position contingent upon passing a satisfactory background check

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision insurance options.
Paid time off – holidays vacation and sick
Experience working in a Museum environment
Employee discount in Museum shops

How To apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Jaina Moan at jmoan(at)Pmna.mus.az.us

Email is the preferred method of application submission. If you are not able to submit your application via email, please call Jaina Moan at 928-774-5211, Ext. 203 to receive additional instructions for application submission.

Deadline: Open until filled.
Please submit your application materials by Sunday, October 6, 2013 to be included in the first review of applications scheduled for the week of October 7, 2013.

The Museum of Northern Arizona is an Equal Opportunity Employer.