Job Opening Title:
Lead Archivist (Temporary)
Name of Employer:
Children’s Defense Fund
Job Site Location :
Clinton, TN – CDF Alex Haley Farm
Application Deadline:
Minimum Degree Requirement:
Master’s Degree in library, archives, or museum studies
Years of experience required:
Minimum of 3 years of experience with processing manuscript archival materials
Salary Range:
$61,000 – $73,000
Job opening URL:
https://www.childrensdefense.org/connect/join-our-team/jobs-at-cdf/
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Include instructions for how to apply.:
Organization Overview
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. CDF’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities
We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org.
Position Summary
The Children’s Defense Fund is seeking a Lead Archivist to provide subject matter expertise on best practices for records management and archiving of organization documentation. Archival duties include conducting assessments, physically and intellectually organizing large amounts of documents, descriptive cataloging, preservation, writing finding aids, creating inventories, and selecting assets for digitization. The ideal candidate will have expert research skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and attentively to meet demanding project deadlines. This position is currently envisioned to be a temporary role lasting approximately 18-24 months
Responsibilities
Perform a range of core preservation, arrangement, descriptive, and metadata tasks to ensure the long-term viability of archival collections and to make the materials discoverable to internal and external researchers.
Developing and implementing recommendations for arrangement, rehousing, and disposition of documents and archival materials
Appraise, survey, and transfer analog and born-digital records from CDF organization using established records disposition schedules and tools.
Determine preservation and conservation issues, and determine best practice for archiving materials
Complete organization, preservation, and description of the collection
Create, maintain, and update archival database
Build and maintain strong, trustworthy relationships with partner organizations and consultants.
Lead and manage team of interns and consultants
Education And/or Experience
Master’s Degree in library, archives, or museum studies
Minimum of 3 years of experience with processing manuscript archival materials
Experience processing and cataloging digital asset management and web-based portals
Proficient in Microsoft Office and learning management systems
Competencies
An abundance of common sense and good judgment
Strong knowledge of the field of archiving and experience working on focused, time-sensitive archives projects.
Knowledge of archival theory and the standard principles and practices.
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of archival work, including analysis, organization, and description of archival material.
Ability to identify preservation concerns and perform basic preservation duties such as rehousing and photocopying as needed.
Knowledge of or strong interest in history, culture, documentary studies, oral history and/or other related subject areas and research sources to process and describe archival collections.
Personal Characteristics
Orientation to and background of servant leadership
Passion for CDF’s mission, purpose, and core values •
Ability to serve as an advocate and exemplar for the vision, values, and mission of CDF
Demonstrated strong relational and communications skills
Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work
Strong organizational and planning skills
Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
Type of work environment associated with the job
Indoor, office setting & storage facilities
Ability to climb stairs and ladders and lift 40 lbs.
Outdoor, at Haley Farm
Additional comments
Children’s Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, economic status, or status as an individual with a disability. Consideration will be given to qualified candidates on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Salary commensurate with experience. Attractive benefits package.
A background check and/or pre-employment assessments will be performed in compliance with local, state, and federal law on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all responsibilities required and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Questions regarding the role or position description may be submitted to Human Resources at humanresources@childrensdefense.org.
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