Assistant Archivist, Processing (Three-Year, Grant-Funded, Fixed-Term Position)

The Museum of Modern Art; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Modern Art in New York invites applications for two Assistant Archivists in its Archives, Library and Research Collections Department. This is a three-year fixed-term position funded by a grant from the Leon Levy Foundation, to process MoMA Exhibition Records dating 2001–2010.

Responsibilities include surveying collections, preliminary research, drafting processing plans, and maintaining archival standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MLIS or archival master’s degree strongly preferred.
• 1–3 years experience processing archival materials to professional standards.
• Knowledge of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art and related research.

Responsibilities

• Survey collections to be processed and draft processing plans.
• Perform basic preservation tasks and re-house materials as needed.
• Re-file, re-box, and label containers in acid-free housing.
• Write and encode detailed finding aids with context and related collections.
• Assist with reference activities and daily operations.

Skills

Team orientation

Communication skills

Research skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MLIS or archival master's

Tools

ArchivesSpace

EAD

MARC cataloging

Job description

Assistant Archivist, Processing (Three-Year, Grant-Funded, Fixed-Term Position)

Job Category: Library & Archives

Requisition Number: ASSIS002420

• Posted : September 8, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Long Island City, NY 11101, USA

Description

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for two Assistant Archivists in its Archives, Library and Research Collections Department. This is a three-year fixed-term position, funded by a grant from the Leon Levy Foundation, responsible for processing the MoMA Exhibition Records dating 2001 - 2010.

Responsibilities:

• Surveys the collections to be processed.
• Conducts preliminary research on the materials, compiling and reviewing existing descriptions of the material.
• Drafts a processing plan, in conjunction with the Metadata and Systems staff, determining and acquiring necessary archival supplies.
• Processes the collection in keeping with standard professional guidelines.
• Performs basic preservation tasks, such as removing staples and paperclips, sleeving delicate items within mylar, etc. and implementing other conservation measures as necessary.
• Re-files and re-boxes the collection in acid-free housing and labels the containers
• writing and encoding detailed finding aid, including information on context and related collections as well as description of the material.
• Assists with reference activities of the department.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above or to the daily operations of the Archives, Library, and Research Collections Department.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Background in art history and a MLIS or master’s degree with certificate in archival studies strongly preferred.
• One to three years experience processing archival collections according to standard archival standards and practices; research in art history.
• Demonstrated knowledge of twentieth- and twenty-first century art, art historical reference sources, and other related research material.
• Demonstrates outstanding team orientation, flexibility, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Detail oriented with ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and to reach high and low shelves.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using ArchivesSpace.
• Knowledge of EAD.
• Familiarity with integrated library systems and MARC cataloging.
• Reading knowledge of one or more languages in addition to English.

Reports to: Head of Metadata and Systems

Salary: The salary for this position is $70,541(gross) per annum

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

August 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.