Job Opening Title:
Reference Historian
Name of Employer:
Wyoming State Archives
Job Site Location (City, State) :
Cheyenne
Application Deadline:
Open until filled
Minimum Degree Requirement:
Master’s degree in Library and Information Science with archival specialization or equivalent
Years of experience required:
0-2 years
Salary Range:
$29.70 Hourly
Job Opening URL:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wyoming/jobs/4869749/reference-historian-wy-state-archives-2025-00722
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Include instructions for how to apply.:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This position is part of our dedicated team preserving history and connecting communities with their heritage through our prestigious State Archives. This position provides expert reference services to researchers while curating invaluable historical collections that tell our state’s unique story. As a key contributor to our innovative Roving Archivist Program, this position brings archival best practices to organizations statewide, creating a meaningful impact on how our shared cultural memory is preserved for future generations. This dynamic role showcases creativity through engaging exhibitions, publication opportunities, collection arrangement and description, oral history conducting, and special projects, all while collaborating with diverse stakeholders and contributing to the vision of the evolving landscape of public history in our digital age.
Human Resource Contact: Ashley Bray ashley.bray@wyo.gov/ (307)777-3631
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed in the job level.
Provide reference and research assistance to state, county, and municipal governments as well as the general public (typically scholars, attorneys, genealogists, and authors) conducting original research; Reference entails utilizing current technology to provide the best and most cost-efficient results to the researchers.
Accession private and public records by completing arrangement, description, and finding aids in accordance with correct archival procedures in physical and digital formats; Evaluate records for permanent retention.
Work with State Archivist, SHRAB, and partners to oversee the activities of the RAP including but not limited to personnel, consultation and training, collection processing, digitization support, access management, compliance review, report generation, updating website, writing blogs, facilitating workshops, traveling, project management, and communicating with supervisor and other stakeholders
Develop oral history collection, conducting and transcribing interviews; Occasionally oversee new staff, interns, volunteers, and employees; Serve on committees and boards related to archives and history; Create exhibits in the research room; Write articles to promote use of historical record and archives; Other tasks as needed…
Maintain database, and monitor records.
Collect, appraise, inventory, process, conserve, and manage documents and items of historic, legal, administrative, and evidentiary significance and value to the State of Wyoming and its citizens.
Verifies data.
Using agency-specific software establishes workflow and best use of programs with regard to records and data for agency needs. May provide technical data support to the agency using this software.
Creates presentations and comprehensive reports.
Arranges and describes permanently valuable records according to professional guidelines and practices to aid the retrieval of information & maintains the evidential value of records.
Monitors respective program(s) for compliance.
Qualifications
PREFERENCES:
Preference will be given for:
Master’s degree in Library Science, Archival Studies, History, or related field
Demonstrated experience with archival processing, arrangement, and description
Strong knowledge of digital preservation standards and technologies
Familiarity with metadata schemas and finding aid creation
Experience in public speaking and educational program development
Writing skills for blogs, articles, and promotional materials
Ability to use various computer programs and databases
KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of library or archives research methods and techniques
Knowledge of historic publications and records preservation and cataloging systems, techniques and methods
Knowledge of state history and government
Knowledge of historic, photographic and public records preservation, cataloging and research
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree (typically in Records or Data Management)
Experience:
0-2 years of progressive work experience (typically in Records and Data Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Records & Data Management Specialist I
OR
Education & Experience Substitution:
3-5 years of progressive work experience (typically in Records and Data Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Records & Data Management Specialist I
Archives Gig 