Archivist III

Summary

Position OverviewPosition Title: Archivist III – Lead Archivist. Department: Houston Public Library – Customer Experience Administration. Location: African American History Research Center, 1300 Victor St, Houston, TX 77018. Job Type: Full‑time, Permanent. Salary Range: $66,000 – $75,000 annually ($2,508.91 – $2,779.75 biweekly). Benefits: Yes. Application Period: December3,2024 – December24,2024 11:59 PM Central.Description of Duties / Essential FunctionsThe Houston Public Library seeks a creative, innovative, and highly customer‑service‑oriented Archivist III to serve at the African American History Research Center (AAHRC) at the Gregory Campus. The AAHRC preserves and provides access to documentary evidence that chronicles African American culture and experience in Houston and surrounding regions. The collections include photographs, local and Texas history books, pamphlets, periodicals, oral histories, manuscripts, audiovisual programs, newspapers, and ephemera. The Archivist III will oversee the AAHRC team and ensure quality archival processes that meet best practices and standards.ResponsibilitiesManage the AAHRC staff and volunteers in processing, collection care, digitization, reproductions, and oral history initiatives.Evaluate potential acquisitions, negotiate with donors, collect arrangement, and produce finding aid documentation.Delegate tasks, monitor project progress, enforce quality control, and deliver projects on time.Coordinate archival programming, including curating exhibits, leading tours, and conducting outreach activities.Build relationships with community organizations, individuals, vendors, and staff.Provide specialized reference services and research assistance via in‑person, phone, and email communications.Supervise and train staff and volunteers to adhere to professional archival standards.Allocate and monitor the unit budget and handle expenditures as assigned.Develop local workflows, standards, guidelines, and preferred practices for archival processing and digitization.Lead special projects such as complex institutional record acquisitions and partnership development.Collaborate with management to develop strategic unit plans addressing evolving customer needs.Assist in grant writing and manage grant‑funded projects as needed.Perform additional duties and projects as assigned.Working ConditionsPosition requires stooping and bending; lifting of library materials up to 20 pounds. Must be able to move freely throughout the library to file and retrieve materials. Requires effective oral and written communication skills.Minimum RequirementsEducation: ALA‑accredited master's degree in Library Science or a master's degree in History or a related field.Experience: Three (3) years of experience in archival processing, archival collecting, historical research, reference service, programming, or a closely related field, including one (1) year of management experience.License: Valid driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston's policy on driving (AP 2‑2).PreferencesKnowledge, work experience, or advanced study courses in archival science, history, or museum studies.Current computer skills including Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.Familiarity with standards including Dublin Core, EAD, and MARC‑AMC, as well as experience with CONTENTdm and ArchivesSpace.Experience with copyright law, fair use, and ethical considerations in reproductions.Experience with sensitive or confidential records.Experience with digitization, processing born‑digital archival materials, and working with audiovisual materials.Certification as a Certified Archivist (C.A.).Customer/public‑service experience and ability to plan and organize work.BenefitsBenefits are offered. Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with the City of Houston's policies.Equal Opportunity EmployerEOE Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.#J-18808-Ljbffr

Job Description

Position OverviewPosition Title: Archivist III – Lead Archivist. Department: Houston Public Library – Customer Experience Administration. Location: African American History Research Center, 1300 Victor St, Houston, TX 77018. Job Type: Full‑time, Permanent. Salary Range: $66,000 – $75,000 annually ($2,508.91 – $2,779.75 biweekly). Benefits: Yes. Application Period: December3,2024 – December24,2024 11:59 PM Central.Description of Duties / Essential FunctionsThe Houston Public Library seeks a creative, innovative, and highly customer‑service‑oriented Archivist III to serve at the African American History Research Center (AAHRC) at the Gregory Campus. The AAHRC preserves and provides access to documentary evidence that chronicles African American culture and experience in Houston and surrounding regions. The collections include photographs, local and Texas history books, pamphlets, periodicals, oral histories, manuscripts, audiovisual programs, newspapers, and ephemera. The Archivist III will oversee the AAHRC team and ensure quality archival processes that meet best practices and standards.ResponsibilitiesManage the AAHRC staff and volunteers in processing, collection care, digitization, reproductions, and oral history initiatives.Evaluate potential acquisitions, negotiate with donors, collect arrangement, and produce finding aid documentation.Delegate tasks, monitor project progress, enforce quality control, and deliver projects on time.Coordinate archival programming, including curating exhibits, leading tours, and conducting outreach activities.Build relationships with community organizations, individuals, vendors, and staff.Provide specialized reference services and research assistance via in‑person, phone, and email communications.Supervise and train staff and volunteers to adhere to professional archival standards.Allocate and monitor the unit budget and handle expenditures as assigned.Develop local workflows, standards, guidelines, and preferred practices for archival processing and digitization.Lead special projects such as complex institutional record acquisitions and partnership development.Collaborate with management to develop strategic unit plans addressing evolving customer needs.Assist in grant writing and manage grant‑funded projects as needed.Perform additional duties and projects as assigned.Working ConditionsPosition requires stooping and bending; lifting of library materials up to 20 pounds. Must be able to move freely throughout the library to file and retrieve materials. Requires effective oral and written communication skills.Minimum RequirementsEducation: ALA‑accredited master's degree in Library Science or a master's degree in History or a related field.Experience: Three (3) years of experience in archival processing, archival collecting, historical research, reference service, programming, or a closely related field, including one (1) year of management experience.License: Valid driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston's policy on driving (AP 2‑2).PreferencesKnowledge, work experience, or advanced study courses in archival science, history, or museum studies.Current computer skills including Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.Familiarity with standards including Dublin Core, EAD, and MARC‑AMC, as well as experience with CONTENTdm and ArchivesSpace.Experience with copyright law, fair use, and ethical considerations in reproductions.Experience with sensitive or confidential records.Experience with digitization, processing born‑digital archival materials, and working with audiovisual materials.Certification as a Certified Archivist (C.A.).Customer/public‑service experience and ability to plan and organize work.BenefitsBenefits are offered. Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with the City of Houston's policies.Equal Opportunity EmployerEOE Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.#J-18808-Ljbffr