Institution: Dallas Historical Society

Title: Archivist

Location: Dallas, TX

Category: Archives – Libraries - Collections

Type: 30-40 hours

Work Hours Standard Hours per Week 30-40

Position Duration: Funding expected to continue

Purpose: The Archivist applies an advanced level of professional skills to all aspects of archival administration of historical manuscript collections, 3D museum collections, and photography collections. Primarily responsible for maintaining the DHS collections held within the archives and answering research inquiries; this person also manages the departmental volunteers and interns and assigns their varied tasks. Overseeing the function and care of the collection as a whole, managing tasks and seeing that they completed on time, on budget, and are wholly satisfactory. Responsible for the preservation of the archives collections and for providing access to these collections.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinate appraisal, acquisition, description, storage, access to, and preservation of historical manuscript, and photograph collections in all formats including the creation and EAD encoding of finding aids.
• Respond to preservation and history related inquiries from the public.
• Perform hands on maintenance of the collection; including the care of the archives, cataloging, records keeping, and creation of digital records of the collection. Periodically reviews and evaluates the records system to maintain applicability, consistency, and operation. Recommends changes in recordkeeping procedures to achieve maximum accessibility to and efficient retrieval of collection items.
• Act as Registrar for both 3D and 2D collections. Process new and existing collections; arranging, describing, and creating finding aids. Enter collections into Past Perfect database.
• Conduct bibliographic instruction and outreach to faculty, students, and community groups.
• Curatorial Assistant: Aid with each new exhibit installation.
• Report Generation: Collections Committee reports and Minutes, Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs
• Oversee Dallas Historical Society use rights.
• Digitization of the collections and make them available to researchers through Past Perfect Online. Manage and oversee our online catalogues and respond to requests for use.
• Knowledge of current professional archival standards and best practices and trends in archival administration.
• Internship Program Manager: Oversee the DHS internship program. Review applications and interview candidates who meet our requirements. Train each intern, assign tasks, and oversee their work.
• Oversee the DHS discussion board.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited program or a master's degree in archival studies, history, or other closely related field with a concentration in archival management and theory is preferred.
• Experience working in a special collections including reference and/or archival processing, arrangement, and description of collection materials.
• Knowledge of descriptive metadata standards including MARC, DACS, and data structure standards relevant to archival control of collection materials including EAD.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, take initiative, solve problems, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of PastPerfect Museum Software, and PastPerfect Online.
• Demonstrated ability to work with patrons/customers and provide exceptional customer service.
• Effective written, verbal, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Membership in the Academy of Certified Archivists
• Knowledge of current professional standards and best practices for and preservation of a variety of formats.
• Experience in managing institutional social media output.
• Curatorial experience, particularly exhibit related.
• Experience working in a service environment; supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated organizational skills in planning, prioritizing and achieving goals, and coordinating and implementing effective programs, complex projects, and services.

Working Conditions: Will work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Manual dexterity. Climbing of stairs. Climbing of ladders. Lifting and moving boxes up to 40 lbs. Criminal background check conducted. This position may work non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and holidays depending upon the needs of the community, patrons, donors/prospective donors, and other stakeholders for the Archives.

Application

Applicants must include in their online resume the following information: 1) Employment history: name of company, period employed (from month/year to month/year), job title, summary of job duties and 2) Education: school name, degree type and major.

Please submit documentation to:

Alan Olson alan@dallashistory.org

Telephone: 214.421.4500 ext. 109

Dallas Historical Society

ATTN: Alan Olson

P.O.Box 150038

Dallas, TX 75315-0038