Archivist

Description

The Mint Museum has received a grant from the National Historic Records and Publications Commission for the creation of its museum archives. Established in 1936 as the first art museum in North Carolina, The Mint Museum consists of two locations in Charlotte, North Carolina:  the Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, and the Mint Museum Randolph.  The Mint has played a significant role in the cultural history of the state.

Guided by the requirements of the one-year NHPRC grant received by the Mint in 2012, the Archivist is responsible for establishing the museum archives, and developing and implementing the procedures and processes necessary to organize, preserve and make accessible the institution’s records of permanent value. Under the supervision and with the aid of the Librarian, who is project manager for the grant, the Archivist’s tasks will include: conducting an initial inventory of museum records and completing an assessment to develop the work plan of the archives, including creating and implementing an institution-wide document retention policy; acquiring records from both museum locations; establishing the archives space for processing and preservation;  documenting a collection development plan; processing two grant-identified collections according to established archival practice; and making the processed collections accessible through MARC records and EAD finding aids. Upon completion of the grant project, the Archivist position will be fully funded by the museum.

Position duties

Responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the museum archives, including the following activities:

• Assists Librarian to ensure all performance requirements of the NHPRC museum archives grant are met
• Acquires, accessions, arranges, organizes, describes and makes accessible the institutional records of The Mint Museum
• Provides bibliographic control and/or finding aids using appropriate format and metadata
• Develops, implements, and maintains retention policies for all departments of the museum
• Conducts training of museum staff in archival procedures and document retention practices and policies
• Handles donations to the archives, working in close conjunction with the Librarian and the Advancement department.
• Prepares annual budget and works with the Librarian and the Director of Learning & Engagement  to oversee expenses, and keeps records of archives funds
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of recognized archival practices and procedures
• Ensures the long-term preservation and timely, easy retrieval of documents and information, across media
• Assists staff, museum members, and general public with research relating to the museum’s history
• Supervised and trains volunteers and interns, where appropriate
• Coordinates marketing of archival products and services with Director of Marketing & Communications, including use of social networks
• Handles confidential information in accordance with museum, state, and federal policies and regulations

Requirements

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited program in library and information studies, information science, or archival studies
• Two or more years of demonstrated experience in appraising, accessioning, arranging, and describing archival and manuscript collections
• Working knowledge of MARC format, EAD and archival description standards
• Knowledge of the conservation and preservation needs of archival collections in a variety of formats, from paper documents and electronic files, to slides and video
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage workflow, projects and multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and solving problems in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated facility with standard office computer applications and working knowledge of on-line bibliographic system, integrated library/archives management systems, and/or content management systems
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively; ability to lift 25 pounds
• Familiarity with accepted conservation and preservation methods applied to archival collections.
• Enthusiastic interest in identifying trends in providing access to archival materials.

Desirable Qualifications/Attributes

• Strong knowledge of principles and practices of archiving electronic records, particularly images
• Experience in a museum setting
• Art history, or museum studies background
• Member of Society of American Archivists