Job Description
The Clyfford Still Museum is seeking an Associate Archivist who is passionate about physical preservation and original cataloging, and who is particularly talented in dealing with large, complex, highly interrelated collections. The Associate Archivist will join the Archives Department and the wider Collections Team to help build the profile of the Museum’s archival collections by making them more accessible through processing. The Archives Department manages the complete personal papers of Clyfford Still, in addition to small donations from those who knew Still, and a growing collection of historic documents describing the Museum’s creation and activities. The Associate Archivist position will center around physical arrangement, description, and preservation of the Museum’s archival collections, with additional responsibility to maintain the Museum’s collections management system QI under the leadership of the Chief Collections Manager and Registrar. The Associate Archivist will also oversee the onsite research use of Still’s archives as well as circulation and collection development of the Department’s Reference Library.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Uphold professional standards in archives, the archival method, physical preservation, and larger LAIS field, in a fine art museum setting
- Improve physical and intellectual control of and access to archival collection resources through processing and documentation: inventory, research, arrange, rehouse, and label physical Archives collections materials
- Maintain and monitor existing cold storage preservation system for film; triage, rehouse, and preserve other vulnerable materials; flag items with highest preservation risk for treatment by the Conservation department
- Catalog aggregate-level and a substantial amount of object-level records in the QI CMS
- Provide close assistance to the database administrator and support team of the QI CMS in developing features that enhance the QI CMS’s ease of cataloging and use. Work with the administrators of the Museum’s digital asset management system Luna and database and other program developers to maintain existing integration projects
- Work with Associate Digital Archivist to schedule and queue digitization projects. Stage materials for proper handling during digitization
- Manage subscriptions to JSTOR, The Art Newspaper, and other research databases
- Fill crucial role in providing reference and research assistance to staff and researchers in their efforts to promote the legacy of Clyfford Still; build the profile of the collection for research and reference by distributing finding aids and other collections descriptions
- Develop access policies for onsite researchers, visitors, and staff; provide one-on-one assistance, pull boxes, and monitor patron use of archival collections materials during onsite research visits
- Oversee circulation and collection development of the Reference Library
- Participate in the exhibition development process: suggest archival materials for inclusion with exhibitions; prepare original archival materials or surrogates for exhibition with assistance of Paper Conservator; track exhibited objects in the QI CMS
- Build relations with past and future donors to the Archives
- Assist with ongoing administrative and collections tasks: budget creation, supply purchases, collections tours, and some exhibition installation assistance
Minimum Education, Job Qualifications, and Experience
- Minimum three years’ experience (with increasing responsibility) working with archival collections in a museum or other collecting institution with a public audience
- Master's degree in Library and Information Science (coursework in advanced archival theory, preservation, and special collections are desirable but not required)
- Demonstrated knowledge and mastery of archival theory and practice; proven ability in processing and preserving archival collections, and working in online collection management systems
- Resourcefulness in learning about and using new descriptive and content standards
- Familiarity with Getty and Library of Congress vocabularies, DACS, and other standards
- Ability to recognize preservation needs for documents, books, photographic processes, textiles, and other materials
- Interest in supporting and performing research using primary-source archival materials and reference sources (experience with library circulation, reference, and technical services is desirable but not required)
- Excellent written communication skills and desire to share well-formulated ideas and information with the public
- Sensitivity to matters of confidentiality, copyright, and other policy and legal aspects of managing and providing access to archival materials
- Knowledge of emerging trends related to archival processing and preservation
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible, tolerate ambiguity, adapt to change and successfully work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Balance between technical and collaborative management skills will be necessary for this role
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with proven success in independently prioritizing work and managing competing deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate and work effectively within and across organizational boundaries in a diverse organization and with a wide variety of users
- Must be able to lift and move up to twenty pounds
Additional Info & Requirements
Non-Discrimination Statement - The Museum prohibits making any employment decisions or basing any terms and conditions of employment on the basis of a person’s race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, transgendered status, marital status, disability, political affiliation, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.
The Museum follows this policy in all terms and conditions of employment including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, testing, training, certification, promotions, demotions, terminations, performance evaluations, leaves, and use of Museum facilities.
The Museum expressly prohibits any employment-based retaliation against anyone who brings a complaint of discrimination or who assists the Museum in the investigation of a complaint of discrimination.
HR Info
Please send cover letter, resume and references to hr@clyffordstillmuseum.org