Lead Archivist – Community‑Driven Archival Strategy

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

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.