The Shelby White and Leon Levy Processing Archivist at New York Botanical Garden

Metro; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shelby White and Leon Levy Processing Archivist at The New York Botanical Garden is a two-year, temporary full-time, grant-funded position responsible for processing and providing access to institutional records. The role includes arrangement, description, and rehousing of physical collections, with ArchivesSpace used to create finding guides for research access.

The Archivist will work with the Curator of Special Collections, Research and Archives, and collaborate with conservators and the

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library science program.
• Archival certification or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of one-year experience in an archives or manuscripts repository creating descriptive records.
• Knowledge of APPM, DACS, LC subject headings, authority control and MARC 21.
• Experience using ArchivesSpace software.
• Excellent oral and written communication, analytical, time-management and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of historical research methodology and bibliographic tools.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented team environment.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and describe archival collections of organizational records.
• Prepare finding aids in ArchivesSpace in accordance with local and national standards.
• Create monthly progress reports of activities.
• Weed out duplicate materials following established policy.
• Work with Digital Technician to oversee digitization of selected archival materials after processing.
• Meet with Special Collections Cataloger to create cataloging records for processed collections.
• Collaborate with NYBG conservators to determine conservation needs for the organizational records.
• Rehouse and label collections containers as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Communication Skills

Analytical Thinking

Time Management

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Education

Master’s degree in library science

ALA-accredited program

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Job description

The Shelby White and Leon Levy Processing Archivist

This is a two-year, temporary full time, grant funded position. The Processing Archivist will be responsible for processing and providing access to the institutional records of The New York Botanical Garden. Reporting to the Curator of Special Collections, Research and Archives, this position will undertake arrangement, description, weeding and rehousing of the physical collections while integrating the use of ArchivesSpace software to create finding guides for research access. The Project Archivist will be an integral member of a dynamic team that is committed to careful stewardship and preservation of collections and to increasing access and discoverability of the Garden’s unique holdings. This position will work closely with conservators to properly house, label and conserve collection items as needed.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Arrange and describe archival collections of organizational records.
• Prepare finding aids in ArchivesSpace in accordance with local and national standards
• Create monthly progress reports of activities
• Weed out duplicate materials following established policy
• Work with Digital Technician to oversee digitization of selected archival materials after processing
• Meet with Special Collections Cataloger to create cataloging records for processed collections
• Collaborate with NYBG conservators to determine conservation needs for the organizational records.
• Rehouse and label collections containers as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library science program.
• Archival certification or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of one-year experience in an archives or manuscripts repository creating descriptive records for archival collections.
• A strong background in archival theory and practice, especially regarding arrangement and description.
• Accurate record keeping and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current standards for archival description (APPM, DACS, LC subject headings, authority control, and MARC 21).
• Experience using ArchivesSpace software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as analytical, time-management and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of historical research methodology and experience with standard bibliographic tools.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented, team environment.