Senior Archivist/Records Manager II

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.)

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 55,000 - 59,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.) seeks a Senior Archivist/Records Manager to lead the McManus collection project for the Federal Transit Administration in Washington, DC. You will decide what belongs in the permanent collection, preserve and digitize it, and build it into the FTA History Hub, then translate findings into web posts, displays, and presentations.

The role requires a detail‑driven mindset, expertise in archival processing, preservation, digitization, and knowledge of federal records

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or related field.
10–15 years of archival, records management, or historical collections experience.
Hands-on archival processing: inventory, arrangement, description, and appraisal.

Responsibilities

Inventory and analyze 15 boxes of the McManus collection.
Appraise questionable items and advise disposition for permanent addition to FTA collections.
Apply preservation, storage, and conservation practices to fragile materials.
Digitize photos, maps, and documents; manage digital photo files.
Load digitized materials into the FTA History Hub and DOT systems.
Create metadata tags and descriptions to enable search.
Support FTA employees, transit stakeholders, and the public in researching and accessing the collection.
Research materials to write web posts, displays, and presentations on FTA history.
Support FTA records management per NARA regulations and the Federal Records Act.

Skills

Research & writing

Organization

Attention to detail

Independent onsite work

Education

Bachelor's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or a related field

Master's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or a related field

Job description

Overview

Do you feel a rush when you open an archival box and have no idea what you'll find? Can a handwritten meeting notebook from decades ago hold your attention longer than most novels? Do you believe the past deserves to be preserved properly, and shared in a way people will actually want to explore? If so, we might be your people. FWI is supporting the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Office of Administration, the team charged with preserving the history of the agency that has helped shape public transportation in America since 1964. The family of Bob McManus has donated 15 boxes of his personal papers to FTA: official documents, consultant reports, internal manuals, decades of appropriations hearing books, spiral‑bound meeting notebooks, and a collection of digital photos. We need a seasoned, detail‑driven Senior Archivist/Records Manager to bring that collection to life. This isn't a "scan it and shelve it" kind of role. You'll decide what belongs in FTA's permanent collection, preserve and digitize it, build it into the FTA History Hub, and then turn what you find into web posts, displays, and presentations that tell FTA's story. Few archivists get to start a collection from the box up. This is one of those chances. FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025, 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Work Schedule and Location

This full-time on-site position will work Monday through Friday, Core Hours at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Responsibilities

Inventory and analyze all 15 boxes of the McManus collection, assessing physical condition and historical value
Appraise "questionable" items and recommend disposition and whether material should be permanently added to FTA collections
Apply preservation, storage, and conservation best practices to protect fragile materials
Digitize photos, maps, and documents, and organize and manage the digital photo files provided by the family
Load digitized materials into the FTA History Hub and other FTA and DOT systems
Create indexes, metadata tags, and descriptions that make the collection easy to search and use
Help FTA employees, transit stakeholders, and the public research and access the collection
Research the materials to write web posts, articles, displays, and presentations on FTA history
Support FTA records management efforts as needed, in line with NARA regulations and the Federal Records Act

Required

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or a related field
10–15 years of experience in archival work, records management, or historical collections
Hands‑on experience with archival processing: inventory, arrangement, description, and appraisal
Working knowledge of preservation and conservation practices for paper, photographs, and bound materials
Experience with digitization standards, digital asset management, and metadata creation
Familiarity with NARA regulations and the Federal Records Act
Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to turn archival material into engaging content for general audiences
Excellent organization and attention to detail, and comfort working independently onsite with a government client

Desired

Master's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or a related field
Certified Archivist (Academy of Certified Archivists) or Certified Records Manager (ICRM)
Experience supporting a federal agency history office or archive
Background in transportation, public policy, or federal government history
Experience building online exhibits or digital history content

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

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