Archivist III

Certifiedarchivists; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits are offered according to City of Houston policies.

Job summary

Certifiedarchivists is hiring for the position of Archivist III – Lead Archivist at the Houston Public Library. This role involves overseeing the AAHRC staff, managing archival processes, and ensuring quality service delivery. The ideal candidate should hold an ALA-accredited master's degree in Library Science, have extensive experience in archival work, and showcase strong leadership skills. The position offers full-time status with competitive salary and benefits.

Applicants should also possess a valid driver’s license and have knowledge of projects related to archival science. The Houston Public Library is dedicated to preserving African American history and culture, with significant community engagement through various initiatives.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in archival processing or related field with one year of management experience.
• Valid driver’s license and compliance with the City's policy on driving.
• Knowledge of copyright law and ethical considerations in reproductions.

Responsibilities

• Manage staff and volunteers in processing and collection care.
• Evaluate potential acquisitions and document finding aids.
• Coordinate archival programming and community outreach activities.
• Supervise and train staff to adhere to professional standards.

Skills

Archival processing

Historical research

Customer service

Project management

Team leadership

Education

ALA-accredited master's degree in Library Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Photoshop

CONTENTdm

ArchivesSpace

Job description

Position Overview

Position Title: Archivist III – Lead Archivist. Department: Houston Public Library – Customer Experience Administration. Location: African American History Research Center, 1300 Victor St, Houston, TX 77018. Job Type: Full‑time, Permanent. Salary Range: $66,000 – $75,000 annually ($2,508.91 – $2,779.75 biweekly). Benefits: Yes. Application Period: December 3, 2024 – December 24, 2024 11:59 PM Central.

Description of Duties / Essential Functions

The Houston Public Library seeks a creative, innovative, and highly customer‑service‑oriented Archivist III to serve at the African American History Research Center (AAHRC) at the Gregory Campus. The AAHRC preserves and provides access to documentary evidence that chronicles African American culture and experience in Houston and surrounding regions. The collections include photographs, local and Texas history books, pamphlets, periodicals, oral histories, manuscripts, audiovisual programs, newspapers, and ephemera. The Archivist III will oversee the AAHRC team and ensure quality archival processes that meet best practices and standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage the AAHRC staff and volunteers in processing, collection care, digitization, reproductions, and oral history initiatives.
• Evaluate potential acquisitions, negotiate with donors, collect arrangement, and produce finding aid documentation.
• Delegate tasks, monitor project progress, enforce quality control, and deliver projects on time.
• Coordinate archival programming, including curating exhibits, leading tours, and conducting outreach activities.
• Build relationships with community organizations, individuals, vendors, and staff.
• Provide specialized reference services and research assistance via in‑person, phone, and email communications.
• Supervise and train staff and volunteers to adhere to professional archival standards.
• Allocate and monitor the unit budget and handle expenditures as assigned.
• Develop local workflows, standards, guidelines, and preferred practices for archival processing and digitization.
• Lead special projects such as complex institutional record acquisitions and partnership development.
• Collaborate with management to develop strategic unit plans addressing evolving customer needs.
• Assist in grant writing and manage grant‑funded projects as needed.
• Perform additional duties and projects as assigned.

Working Conditions

Position requires stooping and bending; lifting of library materials up to 20 pounds. Must be able to move freely throughout the library to file and retrieve materials. Requires effective oral and written communication skills.

Minimum Requirements

Education: ALA‑accredited master's degree in Library Science or a master’s degree in History or a related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in archival processing, archival collecting, historical research, reference service, programming, or a closely related field, including one (1) year of management experience.

License: Valid driver’s license and compliance with the City of Houston’s policy on driving (AP 2‑2).

Preferences

• Knowledge, work experience, or advanced study courses in archival science, history, or museum studies.
• Current computer skills including Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.
• Familiarity with standards including Dublin Core, EAD, and MARC‑AMC, as well as experience with CONTENTdm and ArchivesSpace.
• Experience with copyright law, fair use, and ethical considerations in reproductions.
• Experience with sensitive or confidential records.
• Experience with digitization, processing born‑digital archival materials, and working with audiovisual materials.
• Certification as a Certified Archivist (C.A.).
• Customer/public‑service experience and ability to plan and organize work.

Benefits

Benefits are offered. Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with the City of Houston’s policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.