The Boston Children’s Museum Archivist position ensures the preservation, growth, and access to the museum’s archival holdings. The Archivist also collaborates with colleagues across the Museum to enhance and support teaching and learning opportunities using the Museum’s rich resources.
The Archivist reports directly to the Director of Collections and Archives as part of the Arts and Social Impact team, which is responsible for developing and delivering artistic explorations and cultural experiences for all museum constituents, including children and adult visitors and those external to the Museum (educators, caregivers, families) who use our resources, including schools and community organizations.
The Archivist is responsible for managing the Museum's Institutional Archives and will oversee archival processing, assist with reference requests, and facilitate records transfers across the Museum. The Archivist will assist in developing policies and procedures to guide acquisition/deaccession, retention, preservation, and digitization efforts of archival holdings. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, gaining intellectual control of archival materials, including processing, rehousing, inventorying, and ongoing discovery; digitization through scanning and photography; writing finding aids as well as editing previous versions; providing internal and external access for research use, including tracking rights and reproduction requests as needed; and generally assisting with ongoing outreach efforts to expand awareness and use.
As part of the Collections team, the Archivist will attend regular team, department, project, and all staff meetings as required. Projects may include supporting grants, exhibits, programs, or philanthropy needs. The Archivist will also work Museum-wide to implement the records retention schedule for physical and digital records, assist with ongoing digital maintenance, and the development of strategies for long-term digital preservation, in collaboration with the Director of Collections and Archives.
In addition, as part of the Collections Team, the Archivist will gain familiarity with the collection holdings, assisting with general storage maintenance/upkeep, and assisting visitors and staff. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed.
- 50% Processing Archival Records
- Process, describe, and arrange archival collections with folder-level inventories and DACS-compliant finding aids.
- Evaluate the general physical condition of archival materials and rehouse as needed; Track materials in current or upcoming use.
- Add/update archives inventories content in the Airtable database.
- 25% Appraisal and Transfer
- Maintain archives policies and procedures for ongoing discovery, acquisition, deaccession, preservation, and digitization; Recommend updates to policies and procedures in keeping with best practices in the field.
- With Director, coordinate with staff at all levels to facilitate management and transfer of Museum's records.
- Supervise interns working on archival projects
- Outreach: 25%
- Respond to internal and external research requests
- Along with Collections staff and external partners work on design and installation of displays which may feature from both Collections and Archives.
- Participate in programming for visitors, which includes leading, planning, or staffing programs undertaken by the collections and archives team as well as supporting other teams programming.
- Participate and support the Collections Board Committee meetings on-site or off-site as needed.
- Assist with visitors in Collections office/storage as well as with day to day maintenance of the space.
- Support institutional and departmental initiatives, goals and operations. Collaborate with Museum leadership to further the Museum’s mission, and to ensure a cohesive staff culture. Participate in required all-staff activities, discussions, meetings, and trainings.
PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS
The Archivist is expected to:
- Model the Museum’s values
- Demonstrate the Museum’s commitment to maintaining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all activities
- Demonstrate strong, clear, and respectful communication, teamwork, and collaboration
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and ethical standards in all work activities
- Support Museum events and programs
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES
The ideal candidate can (and/or has):
- Proficiently handle paper records, books, and photographs, including those in delicate condition
- Knowledgably arrange and describe archival collections
- Implement best practices and standards in digital and non-digital archives and preservation strategies
- Interact positively with diverse staff and visitors
- Communicate clearly in speaking and writing
- Be detail-oriented, self-motivated, responsible, and dependable
- Has an affinity for critical thinking and problem solving
- Has an interest or background in social media (a plus)
- Working knowledge of working with Archival standards
- Familiarity with archival management databases such as ArchivesSpace
- Familiarity with online document sharing sites (e.g. Google Docs, Drop Box)
- Team orientation, flexibility, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- A minimum of Bachelor's degree required
- Some course work in Archival Studies, Records Management, Public History, Museum Studies or Historic Preservation or MA and MLIS degree in progress preferred
- 1-3 years of demonstrated experience in arranging and describing archival collections, or comparable experience
- Working knowledge of current metadata standards including DACS and EAD
- Familiarity with digital preservation principles, tools, and systems
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent PC skills with knowledge of Windows applications
- Working understanding of or experience with digitization practices including creation of Metadata
Work environment may vary dependent upon physical location where work is performed (internally or externally, at a desk or in storage). General office environment with shared common office space and equipment as well as various on-site storage spaces.
Will require working in proximity to human remains which share the space. As well as natural history specimens,
textiles, and sacred and funerary Indigenous collection holdings. Collections objects may contain potential pesticide use as part of preservation process. Other collection-related hazards, such as sharp and heavy objects, may also be present though the Archivist should not need to work with these materials as frequently.
Other Factors:
Work schedule is typically Monday - Friday 9-5 with some flexibility as needed. Business casual dress code preferred for meetings and public-facing work; Attire appropriate for safety and comfort when working in storage spaces also recognized. Occasional weekend and evening hours may be required. Work may be performed both inside and outside of the Museum setting.
(Benefits eligibility is based on regular weekly hours per week)
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Up to 12 Sick days
- Mass Earn Sick Time
- Up to 10 Vacation days
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Qualified Transportation Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- American Alliance Museum Access
- New England Museum Association Access
- Free Admission to 100+ Museums
jobs@bostonchildrensmuseum.org
OUR MISSION
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.
OUR VISION
Boston Children’s Museum is a welcoming, imaginative, child-centered learning environment that supports diverse families in nurturing their children’s creativity and curiosity. We promote the healthy development of all children so they will fulfill their potential and contribute to our collective well-being and future prosperity.
OUR VALUES
Creativity. Respect. Excellence. Accountability. Thoughtfulness. Equity.
Boston Children’s Museum is a curious, experimental, and creative learning organization. We have a child and family-centered focus, welcoming and respecting all Museum audiences. We collaborate and show mutual respect and support for our colleagues. We recognize that each person has equal, intrinsic worth and deserves to be treated with dignity. We are a culture that innovates, changes, and pushes boundaries to keep the museum relevant. We are responsible to each other and strive to keep our commitments to our colleagues. We commit to high ethical standards. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, respecting the importance of personal growth and family. We have an ongoing commitment to fairness in all aspects of the Museum and we embrace alternative ways of thinking.
FT, NON-EXEMPT- HOURLY, 35 HRS/WK
