Special Collections Archivist I

The J. Paul Getty Trust; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid Vacation

Personal Days

Fitness Center

Job summary

The J. Paul Getty Trust is seeking a Special Collections Archivist I to improve the description and discovery of historical photograph collections.

This position encompasses arranging collections, creating complex metadata, and maintaining best practices in archival standards. Knowledge in Western art history and experience in cultural institutions is essential. Full-time employees will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of related experience in an academic, arts, or cultural institution.
• Ability to create tools for the study photograph collections.
• Advanced subject, language, and/or technical expertise may be required.

Responsibilities

• Arranges, processes, and re-houses collection materials.
• Creates new metadata of advanced complexity.
• Maintains knowledge in standards and best practices.

Skills

Western art history knowledge

Metadata creation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Collection management

Education

Graduate degree in Art History or Library & Information Science

Tools

DACS

MARC

EAD

Job description

Special Collections Archivist I

• Job Family Library
• Type LT Full-Time
• Position Status Getty Center
• Workplace Type Onsite
• Salaried/Hourly Salaried
• Hiring Pay Scale $63,785 - $81,332 Annually
• Salary Commensurate with experience and internal equity
• Program/Department Research Institute - 0420-Special Collections Management
• Requisition Number 2026-4834

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Job Summary

The Getty Research Institute is seeking a limited-term Special Collections Archivist I to enhance description and discovery of the study photograph collections of the historic Photo Archive, a compilation of over two million documentary photographs of Western art and architecture from antiquity through the early twentieth century. The focus of this position will be to implement the Photo Archive's transition from an on-site browsable collection to off-site paged access. This is a thirty-month limited-term position.

Using a broad knowledge of Western art history, an understanding of the historiography of the discipline and the history of photographic markets, the Archivist I will create tools to facilitate discovery of the study photograph collections in the new access framework. Over 90 stub records, representing the division of the collections by chronology, culture and medium, will be upgraded into DACS-compliant finding aids. The Archivist I will also perform basic collection maintenance, such as sleeving rare photographic formats, interfiling photographs, and replacing missing box labels; update MARC records; and assist with packing the collection and coordinating the off-site move.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Arranges, processes, and re-houses collection materials
• Creates new metadata of advanced complexity based on standards, best practices, research, and review
• Applies advanced knowledge to edit, aggregate, enhance, transform, and disseminate existing metadata
• Makes judgments regarding storage and preservation of collection materials in consultation with others
• Maintains current knowledge in standards, best practices, and specialized subjects, formats, and systems
• Supports other departmental activities, as assigned

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in appropriate discipline, Art History or Library & Information Science fields preferred
• 0-2 years related experience, preferably in an academic, arts, or cultural institution
• May require advanced subject, language, and/or technical expertise

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated subject knowledge of the broad range of Western art history from antiquity to the early twentieth century, with the ability to visually classify works of art by national/regional schools and chronological periods preferred
• Knowledge of standards such as DACS, EAD, MARC and RDA preferred
• Basic knowledge of twentieth century art historians and photograph vendors preferred
• Basic knowledge of late nineteenth/early twentieth century photographic printing techniques and other image reproduction processes preferred
• Familiarity with collection management practices
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work in team-based and collaborative environments
• Ability to meet deadlines, apply policies and procedures consistently, conduct research and present recommendations
• Ability to lift and move 40 pounds
• Ability to climb ladders
• Must have means of transportation to work sites at both the Getty Center in Brentwood and Getty's off-site storage facility, approximately 30 miles to the north of the Getty Center

Benefits and Perks

Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee investment retirement plan - with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Many positions have bi-weekly off-Fridays
• On-site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.