Archivist

Atla; Oakwood (GA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

On-site work in Oakwood, GA

Job summary

The Episcopal Church seeks an Archivist to lead and advance the Archives, manage a team of archivists, and guide policy development. The Archivist will work onsite at the Archives in Oakwood, GA, with initial travel to Austin, TX for the first period of employment.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, you will collaborate with key officers and advise on governance matters. This role requires substantial professional experience in archives, strong leadership, and the ability to develop

Qualifications

• MLIS with concentration in archives or graduate equivalent
• Minimum 10 years in archival settings
• Minimum 5 years supervising staff
• Proven track record building an archives program
• Experience applying archival standards and policies
• Experience with digitization projects and access decisions
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work with diverse stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Administer the Archives program, policies, and priorities
• Advise leadership on archives, preservation, and information governance
• Collaborate with Records Manager on records management
• Supervise staff and manage budgeting, operations, and reporting
• Coordinate facilities, environmental controls, and archives software
• Oversee appraisal, acquisition, description, preservation, and access to collections
• Provide research/reference service to leadership and General Convention
• Enhance internal access and external visibility of archival resources

Skills

Staff leadership

Archives governance

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Research reference

Digital tools proficiency

Education

MLIS or archival studies degree

ACA certification or certificate in archival studies

Tools

Collections Management Systems

Digital Asset Management Systems

Job description

Winthrop Group is conducting a personnel search on behalf of The Episcopal Church to identify an experienced archivist to lead and advance the Archives of The Episcopal Church and manage a team of archivists. The selected candidate will be employed directly by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (the “DFMS”), the New York not-for-profit corporation under which The Episcopal Church does business and supports its ministries, with Winthrop Group serving in a search and recruitment capacity.

The Archivist will report to the Chief Administrative Officer and serve on the Archives Advisory Committee. The Archivist will collaborate with the Chief Legal Officer, Records Manager, IT Director, and other officers of the DFMS, and the church’s General Convention.

This is an exciting opportunity to guide the Archives during a period of transition into new state-of-the-art headquarters currently under construction and cultivate a program that responds to organizational needs, unlocks institutional memory, strengthens connections with communities, and expands access to a rich documentary heritage.

The role requires substantial professional experience in archives and administration. Overseeing a complex archives program, the Archivist will manage staff, direct policy and program development, and support legal and strategic planning initiatives. The Archivist will work onsite at the Archives in Oakwood, Georgia. During the initial period of employment, the Archivist will work for approximately one week per month in Austin, Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer the Archives program and associated policies, procedures, and priorities.
• Advise organizational leadership on archives, preservation, access, and information governance matters.
• Collaborate with the Records Manager on records management matters.
• Provide updates to stakeholders about ongoing work, priorities, and strategic initiatives.

Program & Staff Administration

• Supervise archives staff of 5-6 people, including recruitment, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Administer departmental budgeting, operations, project management, and reporting.
• Coordinate with Operations and IT staff regarding facilities, environmental controls, collections security, and archives software.

Archival Stewardship & Collection Development

• Oversee appraisal, acquisition, accessioning, arrangement, description, preservation, storage, and retrieval of archival records in all formats.
• Identify gaps in the documentary record and collect materials that address underrepresented aspects of the organization’s history.
• Ensure security and appropriate access to archival collections.
• Facilitate rights management, permissions, and access review, when applicable.

Research & Reference

• Provide research and reference service for organizational leadership, governance, legal, communications, and the triennial General Convention.
• Support educational, interpretive, and outreach initiatives that promote awareness and use of the Archives.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders, affiliated organizations, researchers, and external parties.
• Support Church storytelling initiatives using archival resources.
• Enhance internal access to archival resources and expand external visibility through web content, exhibits, publications, and outreach activities.
• Advise departments and affiliated organizations on archives management.

Required Qualifications

• MLIS with concentration in archives, graduate degree with certificate in archival studies or Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) certification
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in archival settings
• Minimum of 5 years supervising staff
• Proven record of building an archives program through strong relationships, communication, and stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated experience:
  • applying archival standards and best practices in various archival domains
  • establishing and administering policies and procedures for archival collections
  • researching and delivering reference service
  • appraising and processing archival records
  • identifying preservation concerns and recommending appropriate treatment
  • using and managing Collections Management Systems, Digital Asset Management Systems, and other discovery tools
  • facilitating digitization projects
• Technical aptitude and ability to apply digital tools and systems to archival workflows
• Highly collaborative and able to work with colleagues at all levels of the organization to foster effective working relationships.
• Experience navigating access and confidentiality.
• Flexible problem solver who evaluates results and adjusts approach in response to shifting priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and a collaborative approach to working with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently
• Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of Episcopal Church Constitution, Canons and governance structures
• Member of the Episcopal Church or a related denominational body
• Working knowledge ofSpanish and/or French

Compensation

Salary: $130,000–$145,000, commensurate with experience, with generous benefits package

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete successfully all Church-required background screenings and pre-employment checks.