Lead Archivist, CHHC Project (Storytelling) Fixed-Term

National Geographic; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings with match

Paid time off up to 22 days/year

12 paid holidays and winter break

National Geographic discounts

Job summary

National Geographic Society seeks a Lead Archivist to plan and execute archival assessment and processing, leading a four-person team and ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and cultural restrictions. Initial work at the Society's DC base camp with future Lanham, MD site and travel between locations.

The role requires 7+ years in GLAM and 3+ years of management, plus proficiency with archival catalogs, DACS, and digital asset management, and strong writing and community engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Experience managing archival processing projects.
• Experience with archival cataloging systems and DACS.
• Experience with text-based records, photographic and AV material.
• Ability to work with source communities and translate wishes into solutions.
• Ability to lift 20-lb record cartons and work in storage facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead archival processing team of four in conducting an archival survey and assessment, organizing and describing archival collections in consultation with source communities according to standards.
• Develop an approach for gathering and managing restrictions, access, and community-defined prerogatives for cultural collections.
• Coordinate processing team to work safely and report progress to the Project Director.
• Conduct archival surveys, assess and organize multi-format archival collections with community consultation.
• Create and oversee processing plans, catalog collections using Axiell, applying legal, ethical, and cultural restrictions.

Skills

Management experience

Archivist experience

DACS knowledge

Digital asset management

Cataloging systems

Community engagement

Writing and communication

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Axiell

Job description

Overview

The Storytelling team works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers, it also identifies key grantmaking and fellowship opportunities with creative talent and focuses on building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers.

National Geographic Society’s Special Collections chronicle more than 138 years of Society history through historical documents, maps, oral histories, audio and video recordings, photographs, artifacts, and media assets from current Explorer‑led science, storytelling, and education programs. Special Collections shares the story of the Society’s past and present by expertly managing its unique archival, media, and information resources. The Center for Human Histories and Cultures will transform these archives into a living, collaborative platform for research, digitization and global engagement.

Reporting to the Project Director for the Center for Human Histories and Cultures (CHHC), the Lead Archivist will plan and execute a strategy for multi‑format archival assessment and processing, incorporating community participation. The role involves leading a four‑person team in conducting collection surveys, organizing, describing, and preparing archives for digitization, while ensuring legal, ethical, and cultural restrictions are applied.

Location and Travel

Initial work will take place at National Geographic Society’s basecamp in Washington, D.C. A future site in Lanham, MD will be established, and the team will alternate full days between sites. The Lanham location is not accessible by company‑provided or public transportation; travel by car is required.

Responsibilities

Project Management and Strategy Development (30%) – Plan a strategy and develop written guidelines for archival assessment and processing that incorporate community participation. Advise on survey instrument design, collection management and digital asset management system enhancements, and discovery interfaces.

Lead an archival processing team of four in conducting an archival survey and assessment, and in organizing and describing archival collections in consultation with source communities according to standards developed by the project team.

Develop an approach for gathering and managing restrictions, access, and community‑defined prerogatives for cultural collections. Facilitate arrangements for the processing team to work safely, comfortably, and effectively. Track progress and report progress and roadblocks to the Project Director.

Archival Assessment and Processing (60%) – Conduct archival surveys, assess, and organize multi‑format archival collections with community consultation. Create and oversee processing plans, catalog collections using Axiell, applying legal, ethical, and cultural restrictions. Preserve and store physical items, identify items for digitization, and facilitate both in‑person and remote collection consultations.

Professional Development and Networking (10%) – Stay apprised of emerging best practices in integrated collections stewardship, repatriation, cultural knowledge management, and source community engagement. Promote the CHHC project internally and externally through communications and conference presentations. Maintain relationships with professional and peer organizations undertaking similar initiatives.

Educational Background

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

• 3+ years of management experience.
• 7+ years of progressive responsibility in Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) or related institutions with demonstrated experience leading archival processing projects.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Experienced processing archivist with demonstrated management ability.
• Proficiency with archival, museum, and library cataloging systems, survey instruments, workflow trackers, digital asset management systems, and discovery interfaces.
• Knowledgeable about archival descriptive standards such as DACS.
• Experience processing text‑based records, photographic and AV material; familiarity with digitization programs and workflows.
• Skills in identifying and applying restrictions to institutional records and cultural material.
• Highly organized with excellent writing and communication skills.
• Adept at respectful communication with source communities and translating community wishes into technical solutions.
• Ability to manage the physical demands of archival processing (climbing ladders, lifting 20‑lb record cartons, pushing carts, exposure to dust and other irritants, and periodic work in storage facilities).

Desired Qualifications

• Grasp of best practices while comfortable with innovation and out‑of‑the‑box thinking.
• Strong team leader capable of directing and motivating staff.
• Comfortable with managing multiple demands in a highly collaborative, informally matrixed team.
• Experience implementing concepts from established and emerging literature and best practices for cultural material management and community engagement (e.g., NAGPRA, SAA’s “Protocols for Native American Archival Materials,” CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, and related guidelines).

Supervision

3 direct reports.

Salary Information

Salary range: $95,000.00 – $100,000.00 per year.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Comprehensive wellness program.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment.
• Flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated).
• 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31.
• Paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Lifestyle Spending Account.
• Pet adoption assistance and insurance.
• Pre‑tax transportation benefits with employer subsidy.
• Employer‑paid life insurance and disability benefit.
• National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

On‑Site Flex – Staff members must be physically present at Base Camp to support building and museum operations. Work hours are determined in consultation with supervisors and are responsive to the needs of the organization.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.