Accessioning and Processing Archivist

UMass Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Boston seeks an Accessioning and Processing Archivist to lead accessioning activities and establish a robust program for new and existing acquisitions, including papers, photographs, audiovisuals, and born-digital materials. The role ensures initial description and access while shaping future processing workflows.

You will collaborate with the Digital Initiatives Archivist to design sustainable born-digital workflows, supervise staff and students, and contribute to outreach and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library/information science or equivalent with archival theory/practice.
• Minimum 2–3 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of archival description standards (DACS, AAT, MARC, TGM).
• Experience with descriptive/access systems (ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, Preservica).

Responsibilities

• Designs archival accessioning workflows for new and backlogged collections.
• Establishes physical, legal, and intellectual control of incoming acquisitions.
• Leads development of accessioning strategies to scale the program.
• Prepares reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Digital Initiatives Archivist on born-digital accessioning workflows.
• Supervises project assistants, graduate assistants, and interns.
• Engages in outreach and community-centered archival activities.

Skills

Project management

Written and oral communication

Independent work

Physical stamina

Education

Master's degree in library/information science (ALA-accredited) or equivalent

Tools

ArchivesSpace

DuraCloud

CONTENTdm

Quartex

Preservica

Airtable

Job description

Job Description

A. General Summary of Position:

Reporting to the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist has primary responsibility for archival accessioning activities and, through the establishment and management of an archival accessioning program, contributes to the department's efforts to provide holistic stewardship for all collections throughout their life cycle. Under the leadership of the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist establishes baseline administrative, physical, and intellectual control over new and existing acquisitions, which include a wide range of formats, including (but not limited to) papers, photographic materials, audiovisual materials, and born-digital materials. Following an accessioning-as-processing model, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist creates and oversees the creation of initial description for all departmental holdings, ensuring responsible administrative and physical control and basic intellectual access for all material at time of accession, and providing the infrastructure upon which any future archival work will be built. In collaboration with the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist also supports the department's dynamic, access-driven processing program, and collaborates with the Digital Initiatives Archivist to design, implement, and maintain workflows for sustainable born-digital accessioning and processing. Guided by archival best practices and in consideration of departmental guidelines and needs, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist will be forward thinking and have a deep understanding and practical knowledge of the archival, scholarly, and community-centered cultural heritage practices that inform the mission and work of the UMass Boston Archives.

B. Examples of Duties:

• Contributes to both the Collection Management unit's and the department's policies and procedures, and the design of productive workflows.
• Designs and implements archival accessioning workflows and procedures for both newly acquired and backlogged collections through approaches that are user-focused, access-driven, and aligned with national professional standards and best practices.
• Engages in pre-custodial assessments and preparation of collections for physical and custodial transfer to the Archives, working closely with the University Archivist and Curator of Special Collections. In accordance with archival best practices and ethical standards, establishes physical, legal, and intellectual control of incoming and backlogged acquisitions, facilitating location management and physical storage of incoming and backlogged acquisitions.
• Leads the development and implementation of systematic accessioning strategies for departmental-stewarded collections and provides and implements recommendations to scale an evolving accessioning program.
• Prepares and presents statistical, narrative, and visual reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with the Digital Initiatives Archivist to develop and implement standards-driven policies and workflows for the transfer and accessioning of born-digital archival materials.
• Collaborates with the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management to ensure systematic preservation and conservation assessment practices and interventions, integrating these into departmental workflows.
• Monitors, oversees, and routinely reports on environmental conditions related to the health of archival collections, such as (but not limited to) lighting, temperature, and relative humidity, reporting problem areas as needed and appropriate.
• Assists in developing and implementing long-range plans for storage of physical collections through assessment of space, storage, and collections.
• Supervises and directs the work of project assistants, graduate assistants, interns, and student employees to support archival accessioning, processing, and related activities.
• Supports the department's access-driven processing programs, including collection processing work in addition to accessioning endeavors as appropriate.
• Contributes, as possible and in consultation with the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management, to advancing the outreach and engagement goals of the Archives, including teaching archival instruction sessions, assisting with installation and scheduling of exhibitions, and participating in the department's community-centered participatory archiving programs.
• Participates in activities, committees, and initiatives that support the mission and administrative success of the department, library, and university.
• Monitors current developments, trends, and emerging technologies in the field of archives and special collections and engages with professional communities.
• Actively engages in archives and special collections communities of practice, representing the Archives and Healey Library in local, regional, and national-level conferences, consortia, and other arenas.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

C. Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program or equivalent accredited degree with formal training in archival theory and practice, and a minimum of 2-3 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of current issues and emerging trends in archives, including the Society of American Archivists' (SAA) Archival Accessioning Best Practices, SAA's Guidelines for Reappraisal and Deaccessioning, OCLC's Total Cost of Stewardship, and other standards-based approaches to archival collection management and preservation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current standards for archival description, cataloging, and archival metadata (including DACS, AAT, MARC, TGM).
• Strong working knowledge of descriptive tools and access and preservation systems (such as ArchivesSpace, DuraCloud, CONTENTdm, Quartex, and Preservica, or similar). Strong organizational and project management skills, and experience with project management tools (such as Airtable).
• Ability to work in environmental conditions that may include exposure to heat, cold, dust, noise, pests, and mold.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively and communicatively as part of a dynamic team in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to lift, move, carry, and push items weighing up to 50 pounds. Incumbent will be required to maintain a current and valid driver's license throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• The incumbent will be required to travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience evaluating the effectiveness of products and systems that support the description, management, and processing of archival collections.
• Experience analyzing processes, developing policies, and implementing changes to promote alignment and greater efficiency of operations.
• Ability to proactively solve problems and manage competing deadlines.
• Ability to manage complex tasks under time constraints and multiple competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, and confidence in working with the public.
• Effective and culturally competent communication and outreach skills, particularly in supporting diverse communities.
• Experience working in higher education environments.

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range between $67,000 and $97,000 for this position.

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on the consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] or 617-287-5150.