Archivist

(November 14, 2022)

Position Title - Archivist

Supervisor Title (All entry and mid-level position supervisors should be qualified, professional archivists.)- Director of Archives

Position Type - Full-time, permanent

Benefits - Yes

Salary Range - $56,000 - $65,000

Job Title: Archivist

Reports to: Director of the Archives

Department: Archives

Date: October 2022

Starting salary: $60,000 - $64,000, commensurate with experience

Desired Hiring Date: December 2022

Job Summary:

The Riverside Church in the City of New York is seeking an experienced Archivist to help build the Archives Department by elevating its collections and making it an invaluable resource for the Riverside community. Reporting to the Director of the Archives, the Archivist is responsible for archival processing, research and reference services, grant project management, and outreach and educational services. The Archivist will work to make the mixed media collection accessible to a variety of patrons, including Riverside staff, lay leaders, and congregants, as well as external researchers and the general public.

The Riverside Church Archives serves as a repository for Riverside’s institutional records and those of its predecessor churches, the Norfolk Street Baptist Church, the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, and the Park Avenue Baptist Church. The collection includes photography, moving images, audio recordings, publications, committee minutes, clergy sermons and papers, membership records, and records of church programming and events. The Riverside Church also stewards a collection of rare books and Bibles as well as fine arts, decorative arts, architectural art, three-dimensional artifacts, and other materials of enduring historical, artistic and cultural value.

From its roots in the early 19th century to the present day, Riverside’s influence and activities – documented in its archives, artifacts, and edifice – have played and continue to play an integral part not only in the history of liberal Christianity, but in the larger story of American history. The Archives is dedicated to ensuring Riverside’s history of social justice and action, cultural and community endeavors, and commitment to open and inclusive theological thought and expression is made available for research. The Riverside Church Archives aims to promote scholarship, elevate the church’s core stories, offer new pathways of engagement and dialogue, and bridge the past to the present in relevant and innovative ways.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Process Riverside’s archival and fine arts collections to make them accessible to the public.
• Create inventories, catalog records, and finding aids of the collection utilizing archival metadata and description standards in Riverside’s content management system, CollectiveAccess.
• House, label, and prepare collection for preservation and archival storage.
• Interface and coordinate with external professionals to photograph, preserve, conserve, and appraise the collections.
• Assist in the in-house and external digitization of the collection.
• Conduct in-depth research on Riverside’s collections and history.
• Manage and answer Riverside’s patron reference requests via Riverside’s reference ticketing system LibAnswers.
• Provide access to the collection by overseeing the reading room and assisting patrons in their research.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of archival programming and events.
• Create online content about Riverside’s collection and history as a form of outreach, including but not limited to online galleries and timelines, research essays on specific topics, and biographies of relevant entities.
• Lead outreach efforts by conducting educational courses, presentations, webinars, and instructional sessions for both the archives department and other Riverside ministries.
• Assist in the development, planning, and installation of exhibits.
• Participate in the development and implementation of policies and standards for the archives.
• Apply to and manage grant projects.
• Supervise student interns and volunteers.
• Other responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Masters degree in Library Science, or Masters in history or related field with coursework in Archival Management
• 3-5 years related experience working with archival or museum collections, particularly processing collections and reference work
• Knowledge of the archival and preservation needs of a variety of materials, including paper documents, photographs, audio-visuals, fine arts, rare books, and artifacts
• Experience conducting reference work and interfacing with the public and patrons
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival standards and best practices
• Proficiency with archival content management systems, databases, and reference ticketing systems; experience with CollectiveAccess and LibAnswers preferred
• Excellent research skills, with the ability to extract information from both primary and secondary sources
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with aptitude for detailed work
• Ability to work both independently and part of a team
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

* Expected to work in a hybrid remote work environment at least two times a week in the office.

TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are constantly striving to make our organization anti-racist. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. As an employee, you become part of that mission. We expect this same commitment from our staff.

To apply, please go to https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=0d8733da-b366-4dfb-b6f7-63f667960575&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US