Project Archivist

The Great Barrington Historical Society (GBHS) in Great Barrington, Mass. seeks a part-time Project Archivist for a 12-month, renewable position. The Project Archivist will spearhead the organization, stewardship, and use of the GBHS’s research collections. This is a lone arranger position.

The primary objective of this position is to establish intellectual and physical control over GBHS’s historical records in accordance with archival best practice. Like many small cultural-heritage institutions, GBHS’s collections have been maintained for several decades by a variety of people, ranging from volunteers to professionally trained collection managers. Current access to the collection is limited. The Project Archivist's role involves several key tasks to enhance access to the collections for both internal use and community engagement. These tasks include: 1) consolidating past collection management methods with current archival best practice, 2) ensuring the stability and preservation of collections, 3) implementing policies and standards, and 4) serving as a model for similar repositories in the region.

The Great Barrington Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1977 for the purpose of preserving and promoting the history of Great Barrington and the surrounding area. Its rich collections are central to the institution’s mission and to its objectives of community engagement and local history research services. The archival collection includes photographs, manuscripts, books, business and organizational records, têxtiles, and artifacts.

GBHS’s research center is located at its headquarters on the historic 1771 Wheeler farmstead. A large portion of the collection is stored offsite in a local public library. The Project Archivist will travel between the two collection storage areas, a distance of 6.5 miles. The GBHS has a small part-time staff and is currently undergoing dynamic future planning as well as physical renovation of its historic campus.

The Project Archivist will need to be comfortable working independently but will have support from a board member/local historian who can provide institutional knowledge and expertise on local history.

Position Description:

- Lead a comprehensive project to process GBHS’s archival collections, which includes archival planning and goal setting, access and reference services, and overall implementation of best practice.
- Establish intellectual and physical standards for collection management, including selection, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation, and access.
- Accession, inventory, re-house, and catalog unprocessed collections.
- Create collection-level cataloging entries for archival collections in PastPerfect Museum Software.
- Establish new guidelines for collection processing, and merge formerly processed collections with new system.
- Maintain curatorial records related to accessions, rights, and donors.

Evaluate collections against scope of collection statement and deaccession as necessary.
- Establish locations and housing plans for archival collections.
- Coordinate and train volunteers.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

- ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information Science or Archival program, or a master’s in History or Museum Studies, along with at least three years of job-related experience, or equivalent combination of skilled credentials.
- Experience providing public services for manuscript and/or archival collections.
- Experience with archival and digital asset management systems. Past Perfect Museum Software preferred.
- Familiarity with standard collections care, archives and museum practices, housing enclosures, and best practices for handling materials, including photographic formats and film negatives.
- High degree of attention to detail and an ability to work independently to effectively manage time and projects, and to meet deadlines.
- Ability to interact and communicate with GBHS stakeholders orally and in writing. Must be comfortable communicating clearly and effectively about archival practice to non-archivists.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability.
- Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion.
- Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Reporting Relationship:
The position is funded and facilitated by a grant from Housatonic Heritage. The Project Archivist will provide monthly updates to the Project Support Team, comprised of GBHS’s grant manager and a representative of the grantor.

Schedule:
The Project Archivist will work part-time, approximately 23 hrs/wk., with some flexibility for work to occur outside regular business hours (Monday - Friday) in the evenings and on weekends, if desired.

Compensation:
This is a one-year, non-benefitted, contract position. The Project Archivist will be paid $50.17 per hour, n