Job Opening Title: Processing Archivist
Institution/Organization Name: New York Transit Museum
Job Location (City, State, Province, Country): Brooklyn, New York, USA
Application Deadline: October 17, 2017
Link to job posting:
Years of experience required: 2-5 years
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Please include instructions for how to apply.: POSTING DATE: October 6, 2017
JOB TITLE: Processing Archivist
POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1
HOURS OF WORK: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Monday – Friday – Flexible schedule as required
SUMMARY
The Friends of the New York Transit Museum is seeking an experienced Processing Archivist to process, preserve, research and make accessible archival material in the Collection through finding aids, catalogs, public programs and exhibitions.
The New York Transit Museum collects, preserves, and presents material relating to the region’s public transportation, past and present, focusing on the agencies of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and their predecessor companies. Established in 1976, the Transit Museum currently holds a collection of 800,000 individual archival materials and approximately 8,000 artifacts, including historical vehicles.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Evaluate new acquisitions both onsite and offsite.
• With the Collection Manager, identify priority collections based
on researcher needs and preservation concerns.
• Develop action plans, timetables, and processing needs for
identified collections.
• Process collections, e.g. arrangement, rehousing, identification of
materials for potential digitization and to achieve departmental
goal to clear archival backlog.
• Create DACS-compliant finding aids.
• Create, edit and publish Finding Aids & Pathfinders online.
• Catalog archival material at collection, series, or item levels.
• Coordinate online web portal updates and select materials for
online publishing.
• Participate in the museum collection committee.
• Identify material in the collection for exhibit and public
programs.
• Assist with exhibit research; organize, draft and edit exhibit
content.
• Assist with overseeing security and environmental conditions in
all collection storage spaces.
• Compile materials for presentations, internally or externally,
promoting the museum and collections.
• Assist with research requests internally and externally.
• Participate in the installation and removal of exhibits.
• Collaborate with Museum Registrar in transfer of materials.
• Participate in the general activities of the Curatorial Department.
• Supervise and evaluate interns, college aids and grant funded
processing projects.
• Assist Development office with grant writing descriptions for
pertinent projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in
museum studies, library & information studies, archival studies,
history or a closely related field, preferred.
• Knowledge of best practices in handling and preservation of
archival material.
• Understanding and proficiency in archival metadata standards
and authorities such as DACS, AAT, and LCSH.
• Knowledge and active curiosity/ interest in New York
transportation history.
• Skilled in processing, cataloging and creating finding aids.
• Excellent and efficient project management skills.
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, multi-tasking ability, and impeccable
attention to detail.
• Experience with public speaking and willingness to participate in
public programs about the Collection.
• Ability to work productively, both independently and in teams.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and
familiarity with Collection Management Systems, particularly
PastPerfect.
• Patience and a sense of humor.
ABOUT THE TRANSIT MUSEUM
The New York Transit Museum is the largest museum in the United States devoted to urban public transportation history, and one of the premier institutions of its kind in the world. The Transit Museum explores the development of the greater New York metropolitan region through the presentation of exhibitions, tours, educational programs, and workshops dealing with the cultural, social, and technological history of public transportation. Since its inception 40 years ago, the Transit Museum, housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in downtown Brooklyn, has grown in scope and popularity. As custodian and interpreter of the region’s extensive public transportation networks, the Transit Museum strives to share, through its public programs, this rich and vibrant history with local, regional, and international audiences.
Salary
Commensurate with experience. Benefit package includes health, dental and vision.
Qualified individuals interested in this job opening must apply by e-mail. Resume and cover letter should be sent as .doc or PDF to Desiree Alden-Gonzalez, Collections Manager: desiree.alden@nyct.com. Specify subject as Processing Archivist Posting. Due to high volume of applicants, only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Submission Deadline October 17, 2017
Friends of the New York Transit Museum is an equal opportunity employer.
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