Archivist, IS-1420-12

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC seeks an Archivist (IS-1420-12) to plan and administer reference and research services for archival collections. The role includes developing procedures for inquiries, scheduling visits, and providing access to materials.

Responsibilities span advising on archival use, updating finding aids, and maintaining records with DACS/EAD compliance, collaborating with metadata and digital staff to ensure proper control and access across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in archival science or a related field with required coursework in archival science, history or government.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable per the job announcement.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and administers reference and research services for archival collections.
• Develops procedures for responding to inquiries, scheduling research visits, and providing access to materials.
• Advises museum staff, scholars, and the public on the use of archival collections and ensures compliance with policies.
• Maintains and updates finding aids, collection records, and databases using ArchivesSpace and other archival systems.
• Ensures descriptive records are accurate and consistent with professional standards including DACS and EAD.
• Coordinates updates to collection documentation to support research, exhibitions, and digital access.
• Works with metadata, digital, and collections staff to ensure accurate intellectual control of collections.
• Interprets archival policies and procedures related to access, restrictions, and use of collections.
• Develops and recommends improvements to reference workflows and access procedures.
• Coordinates access to materials stored in multiple locations including Capital Gallery and Pennsy Drive.

Skills

Archival systems

Research access prep

Inventory support

Collections storage

Education

Bachelor's degree in archival science or related

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Job description

Archivist, IS-1420-12

Application Deadline: 15 September 2026

Department: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: September 1st, 2026

CLOSING DATE: September 15th, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date)

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Select One of the following:

• Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

This position is located in the Archives, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Smithsonian Institution. The Archives acquires, preserves, manages, and provides access to archival collections documenting African American history and culture in support of the museum’s mission through research, exhibitions, publications, and public programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, coordinates, and administers reference and research services for archival collections.
• Develops procedures for responding to inquiries, scheduling research visits, and providing access to materials.
• Advises museum staff, scholars, and the public on the use of archival collections. Ensures compliance with Smithsonian policies, donor agreements, copyright restrictions, and access requirements.
• Maintains and updates finding aids, collection records, and databases using ArchivesSpace and other archival systems.
• Ensures descriptive records are accurate and consistent with professional standards including DACS and EAD.
• Coordinates updates to collection documentation to support research, exhibitions, and digital access.
• Works with metadata, digital, and collections staff to ensure accurate intellectual control of collections.
• Interprets archival policies and procedures related to access, restrictions, and use of collections.
• Develops and recommends improvements to reference workflows and access procedures.
• Coordinates access to materials stored in multiple locations including Capital Gallery and Pennsy Drive.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

This position has basic Individual Occupational Requirements. Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application.

Education Requirement: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree in archival science or Bachelor's degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government.

OR Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the education requirement, experience required for this position is as follows:

• Utilizing archival systems to validate record compliance.
• Preparing materials for research access, as well as for exhibitions and digitization.
• Providing support for inventories, audits, collection moves and storage of artifacts.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo