Archival Processing Technician — Preservation & Access

King William County Library System; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Job summary

King William County Library System is seeking detail-oriented Archival Technicians for a 12-month project focused on processing and preserving nationally significant archival collections. Duties include working under the guidance of professional archivists to assess, arrange, and preserve manuscripts, photographs, and more.

Candidates should have a high school diploma, at least one year of relevant experience, and strong attention to detail. Benefits include health care, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of experience processing archival collections.
• Experience handling and organizing paper-based archival materials.
• Ability to maintain accuracy while working with large volumes of materials.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collection surveys and assessments.
• Review, sort, and organize archival materials.
• Label folders and boxes according to project requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizing archival materials

Basic computer proficiency

Ability to lift archival boxes

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

Description

LAC Federal is seeking a detail-oriented Archival Technicians to support a 12-month project to provide processing and preservation of nationally significant archival collections. Working under the direction of professional archivists, the Archival Technicians will assist with collection assessment, arrangement, rehousing, labeling, inventorying, and preservation activities involving manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, music materials, audiovisual materials, scrapbooks, and other special collections. This position provides an opportunity to contribute directly to preserving and improving access to important cultural heritage collections.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with collection surveys and assessments to identify organization, preservation concerns, and processing requirements.
• Review, sort, and organize archival materials according to established processing plans and archival procedures.
• Arrange and rehouse archival materials into acid-free folders, archival boxes, sleeves, and protective enclosures.
• Label folders, boxes, and other housing materials in accordance with Library of Congress standards and project requirements.
• Perform foldering, boxing, refoldering, and physical organization of manuscript and archival materials.
• Assist with processing correspondence, subject files, music manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, scrapbooks, biographical materials, clippings, and related collection materials.
• Inventory audiovisual materials and other special formats and document required information in project tracking tools and inventories.
• Identify duplicate materials, damaged items, preservation concerns, and materials requiring special handling.
• Assist with basic preservation activities, including photocopying newsprint clippings and replacing non-archival housing materials.
• Enter and update collection inventory information, container lists, and metadata in designated templates and systems.
• Track work completed and maintain accurate production statistics and project documentation.
• Follow all handling, security, and quality assurance procedures associated with federal archival collections.

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience processing archival collections, manuscript collections, special collections, museum collections, library collections, records management collections, or similar historical materials.
• Experience handling and organizing paper-based archival materials.
• Ability to follow established archival processing procedures and detailed instructions.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while working with large volumes of materials.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a project team.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to lift and move archival boxes and collection materials weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance and Library of Congress access credentials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or Bachelor's degree in History, Library Science, Museum Studies, Archives, Information Science, Humanities, or a related field.
• Experience working in an archives, special collections repository, museum, library, historical society, or cultural heritage institution.
• Experience rehousing archival materials using archival-quality folders, boxes, sleeves, and enclosures.
• Experience inventorying photographs, audiovisual materials, or other special-format collections.
• Familiarity with archival arrangement and description principles.
• Experience creating inventories, container lists, or collection tracking documentation.
• Experience processing music collections, manuscript collections, or performing arts collections.
• Experience working on federal government, library, archives, or museum projects.
• Familiarity with archival preservation and conservation best practices.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and move archival materials and storage boxes weighing up to 30 pounds, and transport materials throughout the work area.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and climb step stools or ladders as needed to retrieve, organize, and rehouse archival collections stored on shelving.
• Ability to perform repetitive manual tasks requiring fine motor skills and visual attention to detail, including handling fragile materials, labeling folders, entering data, and working at a computer for extended periods.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development

EEO Statement

The company and its subsidiaries are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring/hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.

Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.