Assistant Archivist

The First Church of Christ, Scientist; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mary Baker Eddy Library (MBEL) seeks an Assistant Archivist to support preservation, cataloging, registration, and research within its special collections. The role involves handling archival materials, creating and editing records, and assisting researchers while contributing to MBEL-wide projects and exhibits.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in Library Science or have 2–3 years of archival processing experience, with strong knowledge of archival practices and metadata standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science or two to three years direct experience in archival processing required.
• One to two years experience in general archival work preferred.
• Knowledge of archival practices of appraisal, arranging, and description required; clear written and oral communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Preserves and catalogs archival materials following standards and department policies.
• Creates records in collection management systems and edits existing records.
• Assists researchers with inquiries about materials in the special collections.
• Develops and implements processing plans independently; arranges and describes archival collections.
• Digitizes documents using archival standards and advanced scanning tech for internal and external requests.
• Supports MBEL-wide projects such as exhibit development and publishing projects.

Skills

Archival knowledge

Communication skills

Research skills

Education

MLS or 2–3 yrs archival processing

Tools

Digital asset management systems

Collection management systems

Metadata standards & archives tools

Job description

Summary

The Assistant Archivist is a full-time position that supports preservation, cataloging, registration, and research in collections of The Mary Baker Eddy Library (MBEL).

Job Details

Description

Department: Mary Baker Eddy Library

Summary

The Assistant Archivist is a full-time position that supports preservation, cataloging, registration, and research in collections of The Mary Baker Eddy Library (MBEL).

MBEL is a trusted and authoritative resource on Eddy and the history of the Christian Science movement, providing public access to original materials and educational experiences about Eddy, the ideas she advanced, her writings, and the institutions she founded and their healing mission.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Follows archival standards and department policies and procedures to ensure the long-term care and preservation of the field and special collections
• Practices proper handling of all collections materials
• Catalogs collections items, creating records in collection management systems or editing existing records
• Assists with responding to research queries about materials in the special collections
• Develops and implements processing plans independently
• Arranges and describes archival collections
• Prepares finding aids and indexes to collections
• Completes first reviews of previously unreviewed archival materials to determine whether they may be opened for research
• Participates in large-scale collection processing, scanning, and deaccessioning projects
• Digitizes documents, manuscripts, and rare books using archival standards and advanced scanning technology for internal and external requests and projects
• Participates in MBEL-wide projects, such as exhibit development and publishing projects
• Assists in handling of art and objects for storage and exhibit preparation
• Assists in research, review, and assessment of art and artifact collections
• Assists in reviewing donation offers and recommends accepting or declining them based on research and MBEL’s established collecting policies
• Prepares reports and documentation for legal review
• Writes content for MBEL website, including collection summaries and articles
• Serves as a super user for MBEL’s collections management system, supporting other users and assisting the Archivist in providing training
• Verifies transcriptions of oral histories
• Attends conferences and workshops as a representative of MBEL
• Participates in routine management and housekeeping of the collections spaces

Performs other duties as assigned

STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTS

Reporting Relationships

Supervisor: Manager of Records Management and Special Collections
Supervises: N/A

Regular Contacts

The Assistant Archivist will primarily support the work of Special Collections colleagues under supervision and guidance from the Manager of Records Management and Special Collections and in consultation with the Archivist. This position will also work closely with all members of MBEL’s Research and Collections division and other MBEL staff and may work with other departments in the church organization.

Education/Experience

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science or two to three years direct experience in archival processing required. One to two years experience in general archival work preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge of archival practices of appraisal, arranging, and description required, as well as the ability to quickly learn about and recognize significant people, places, and events related to Mary Baker Eddy, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and its affiliates, and the history of the Christian Science movement. Clear written and oral communication skills also required. Knowledge of or experience with strategies for historical research preferred.

Technology Skills

Aptitude for learning digital asset management systems, collection management systems, archive collection management systems, and/or records management systems, including knowledge of metadata standards and controlled vocabularies for archives, museums, and news organizations. Practical experience with collections management systems and records management systems a plus.

Work Environment

This position regularly works in an office environment with the opportunity for a hybrid schedule.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to safely lift and move heavy materials (of up to 30-40 pounds), shelve and reshelve materials within repository areas, and maneuver heavily loaded carts.

Christian Science Information

Mother Church membership is required. The ideal candidate values Mary Baker Eddy’s life and work, and recognizes the Library’s role in furthering the mission of her church.

Pay range: $29.48 - $38.32 hourly

The pay ranges disclosed in our job postings are the compensation ranges the Church reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for a given position at the time of posting.

The offered salary will be determined by factors such as the applicant’s relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities; and benchmarking, work location, and internal equity.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.