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

MoMA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 87,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union representation (Local 2110)

Job summary

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York seeks an Associate Archivist in its Archives, Library and Research Collections Department. This is a three-year fixed-term position responsible for processing the MoMA Exhibition Records dating 2001–2010.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree with MLIS or archival master's preferred, 3–5 years of archival experience, and proficiency with ArchivesSpace and MARC cataloging. It is a unionized, on-site position reporting to the Head of Metadata and Systems.

Qualifications

• - Bachelor’s degree required. Background in art history and a MLIS or master’s of art with Certificate in Archival Studies strongly preferred.
• - Three to five 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• - Demonstrated knowledge of twentieth- and twenty-first century art, art historical reference sources, and other related research material.
• - 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.
• - 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.

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.
• Serves as project manager, including upholding timeline and deadlines.
• 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 labeling the containers.
• Writes and encodes 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 related to the above functions or to the daily operations of the Archives, Library, and Research Collections.

Skills

Archival processing

Research in art history

ArchivesSpace

MARC cataloging

Team orientation

Reading language knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MLIS or Archival Studies master’s

Tools

ArchivesSpace

EAD

Integrated library systems

MARC cataloging

Job description

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for an Associate Archivist 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 include:

• 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.
• Serves as project manager, including upholding timeline and deadlines.
• 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 labeling the containers.
• Writes and encodes 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 related to the above functions or to the daily operations of the Archives, Library, and Research Collections.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Background in art history and a MLIS or master’s of art with Certificate in Archival Studies strongly preferred.
• Three to five 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Reports to: Head of Metadata and Systems

Salary: The salary for this position is $89,354 (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