Deadline for Applications: June 5, 2020
The Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) seeks to hire a trained and experienced archivist for a part-time, contract position to provide advice, consultation, and training to successful applicants in the Massachusetts SHRAB Roving Archivist Program.
This is an interim position of five months to provide temporary support to the Roving Archivist Program. Given the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on providing field services to cultural heritage institutions, the timeline for completion of this position remains flexible. The position will begin in August 2020.
Duties of the Interim Roving Archivist include the following:
- Conducting strategic assessments of archival practices and procedures with small and medium cultural heritage institutions located throughout Massachusetts;
- Creating a customized report and “next steps” document for awardee institutions;
- Providing continued advice and guidance to awardee institutions;
- Conducting training on archival topics and best practices;
- Communicating with the SHRAB regarding the awardee institution’s progress and needs;
- Promoting the Roving Archivist program through cultural heritage groups and events as well as social media;
- Coordinating activities with supervisory Roving Archivist to provide continuity of service to existing and new awardee institutions.
A successful applicant for the position of Interim Roving Archivist will possess a number of specific qualifications. These will include:
Required Qualifications:
- Masters degree in Library/Information/Archives Science or related subject matter from an ALA accredited school or equivalent;
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the archives profession and/or an applicable field (such as museum or historical society work);
- Strong verbal and written communication and listening skills;
- Consulting experience;
- Willingness to work independently and with the public;
- Demonstrated knowledge of public and non-public records issues, including familiarity with the Massachusetts Municipal Records Retention Schedule;
- Experience working with documents in a range of formats, including, but not restricted to, paper, photographs, and electronic records;
- Knowledge of archival preservation concepts and practices and the ability to explain them to non-professionals;
- Own or have access to a motor vehicle and have a valid driver’s license.
Desired qualifications:
- Experience setting up archives;
- Knowledge of Massachusetts repositories and history;
- Experience working with historical societies;
- Experience with multiple cataloging systems;
- Practical approach to problem-solving.
Compensation: This is a part-time, contract position funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The Roving Archivist is paid at a rate of $30.00 per hour and reimbursed for travel at $0.58 per mile, up to a maximum of $12,000.00 over five months. This is a non-benefitted position.
Applicants should submit a resume and 3 references, including one related to consulting work, electronically to:
Massachusetts SHRAB
Subject Line: Roving Archivist application
Please direct any questions to Dr. John Warner at (617) 727-2816.
For more information on the MA SHRAB and the Roving Archivist Program: https://mashrabblog.wordpress.com/roving-archivist-program/