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Posting Begin Date: 2025/03/31
Posting End Date: 2025/04/14
Category: Miscellaneous
Work Type: Full Time
Location: Boise, ID, United States
Minimum Salary: 25.79
Maximum Salary: 28.82
Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Summary

The Collections Archivist is the team leader for collections processing and will work with the Collections-Outreach Archivist to prioritize and process collections applying intellectual and physical control to incoming donated collections. Incumbent is responsible for the team developing descriptive finding aids which detail collections and facilitate access. Materials in the donated collections at the Idaho State Archives (ISA) range from paper-based (photographs, writings, correspondence, articles, posters and artwork) to audio, video, computer media and born digital files and possibly three-dimensional artifacts.

Job Responsibilities

• Collections Archivist processes newly donated materials including but not limited to manuscripts, photographs, audio-visual, and government records.
• Collections Archivist is responsible for surveying donated collections, analyzing the contents for arrangement and description strategies and determining the overall organizational structure of the collections.
• Responsible for the cataloging of newly donated collections according to archival best practices.
• Under the direction of the Collections-Outreach Archivist this position would oversee grant-funded processing or preservation projects.
• Evaluate collections, determine preservation and conservation issues, and determine best practices for resolving issues.
• Contributes to annual exhibitions featured in the Temporary Exhibit Gallery
• Promote active use of the collections through outreach, including displays and presentations for programs such as Archives Month.
• Representing ISA in local, state and national professional groups and organizations
• Enter new donated collections inventories into ArchivesSpace, our online public access catalog for donated archival collections.
• Collaborate with the Collections-Outreach Archivist and Reference Archivist to add digital content to CONTENTdm according to agency priorities and initiatives.

Supervision

• Provide supervision of two Archivist Technicians
• Contribute to the hiring of staff, student interns and volunteers
• Train and supervise student interns and volunteers to assist with processing manuscript collections
• Supervise and support staff on various archival processing projects.
• Supervise and support staff in the Lincoln Reading Room

Other Functions and Responsibilities

• Provide support to agency public programs and fundraising events as assigned.
• Some amount of weekend and evening time spent in museum programming events and workshops.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Good knowledge of:

• Archival reference and research methods-Typically gained by successful completion of two semesters of related upper-division coursework, OR at least three (3) years of work experience in an archival or special collection library or museum utilizing archival record keeping and research methods.
• Principles and methods for appraisal, arrangement, and description of archival and manuscript materials. Archival organization, services, practices, and terminology- Typically gained by successful completion of two semesters of related upper-division coursework OR at least three (3) years of work experience in an archival or special collection library or museum using principles and methods for appraisal, arrangement, and description of archival and manuscript materials including using archival services, practices, and terminology.

Some knowledge of:

Automated records systems- Typically gained by successful completion of related vocational technical courses OR at least two (2) years of work experience where you were responsible for designing manual and automated computer record management systems/filing systems at a level which required needs analysis.

Experience:

• Conducting historical research using primary source materials; preparing finding aids and descriptive guides for historical documents evaluating, organizing, and classifying historical documents - Typically gained by at least one (1) year of work experience using primary source materials, preparing finding aids and descriptive guides for historical documents including evaluating, organizing, and classifying historical documents.
• Valid driver's license- Must have a state of Idaho driver’s license or the ability to obtain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Combination of education or 3 to 5 years’ experience that includes course work in archival administration, library science, history, art history or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience processing historical collections and developing finding aids to facilitate intellectual control of and access to collections.
• Education or experience in the care and management of historical collections.
• Experience working with word processing programs, scanning and imaging programs, and database applications, and/or content management systems such as ArchivesSpace
• Good knowledge of archival reference and research methods
• Experience conducting historical research using primary source materials
• Good knowledge of principles and methods for appraisal, arrangement, and description of archival and manuscript materials
• Good knowledge of archival organization, services, practices, and terminology
• Experience with automated records systems
• Experience evaluating, organizing, and classifying historical documents
• Ability to lift 40 lb. boxes with or without out assistance

Abilities

• Deliver high-quantity, error-free work products in a complex, dynamic environment
• Manage and prioritize numerous, concurrent projects
• Adapt readily to new institutional best practices • Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must have the ability to accurately track and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Highly organized, able to organize details and schedules • Self-starter, takes initiative, works well independently and as part of a team
• Able to interact professionally and appropriately with staff, volunteers, and the public
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and relevant database software
• Effective problem-solving and adaptability skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to change.
• Interact professionally and effectively with a wide variety of personalities within and outside the agency.