Archivist - The Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS)
The Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) is seeking an Archivist to oversee its collections of archival and manuscript materials. This is a full time permanent position reporting to the Historical Society’s President, and supervising several interns and volunteers. The Archivist will work closely with the other Library and collections staff, including the Reference Librarian, and Photoarchivist. As part of the collections team the Archivist will also work with staff in other BHS departments as well as with the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Archivist will oversee all aspects of the Historical Society’s archives and manuscript collections, including acquisitions, appraisal, arrangement, description, loans, preservation, and reference activities:
~ Manage the collections, including:
* performing all accessioning and donor-relations tasks
* identifying and determining the status of found-in-collections materials
* maintaining the collections location and status database.
~ Select, coordinate, and supervise student and assistant projects, including:
* collection processing
* creation of finding aids, MARC records, and EAD encoding
* special projects such as small exhibits, digitization, and research.
~ Provide a full range of reference and access services to both the general public and in-house staff, including:
* responding to reference questions by mail, phone, email, and in-person
* giving presentations and talks to groups of researchers on BHS collections
* preparing and updating subject guides on popular topics
* assisting with educational programs
* assisting with in-house exhibits and managing outgoing loans of materials.
~ Assist in setting collections priorities and policies including:
* overall collections policy (acquisitions, deaccessions, loans, etc.)
* collections development
* rights and reproductions
* space allocation
* strategic planning
~ Identify, write, and manage grant projects, such as:
* conservation surveys and treatments
* digitization projects
* surveying, cataloging, and processing projects
~ Other tasks as required, including:
* inventorying collections stored at off-site storage facilities
* developing web page content
* assisting in the creation and maintenance of institutional archives and records management policies
* determining financial requirements and assisting in the budgeting process
* representing the institution at exhibit openings, benefits, and other events.
Frequent Saturday and occasional evening hours required.
Qualifications:
Required
~ MLS or equivalent degree from an ALA-approved institution, with specialization in archives.
~ Two to four years experience appraising, arranging, and describing archival materials, including both personal papers and institutional records.
~ One to three years experience answering reference questions via a variety of methods, including engaging with the public in a reading room.
~ Previous supervisory experience.
~ Experience using archival standards (including MARC, EAD, and DACS) and best practices.
~ Strong written and oral communications skills.
~ Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and the ability to work with people as well as independently.
~ Demonstrated organizational skills, including proficiency at meeting goals and deadlines.
~ Knowledge of basic preservation and conservation standards for archival materials.
~ Ability to perform physical activity associated with archives work environments.
~ Familiarity with MS Office products.
Preferred
~ Previous experience writing and managing grants for archival collections.
~ Experience developing digital library resources based on archival materials, including selection and digitization of original materials and preparation of appropriate metadata.
~ Previous experience coordinating and supervising graduate student interns and volunteers from the general public.
~ Previous budgeting experience.
~ Knowledge of American history, especially New York history.
~ Records management experience.
To apply: Please send resume, cover letter with salary requirements to:
President's Office
Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Attention: Archivist Search
No phone inquiries, please.
Brooklyn Historical Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
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