Archivist, Recorded Sound Collections

Description

Position Title: Archivist, Recorded Sound Collections

FLSA Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has an opening for a full-time, exempt Archivist, Recorded Sound Collections in our Museum Services department. 

Company Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The museum collects artifacts that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music while providing diverse learning opportunities. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its emergence as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to ultra-contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents. The museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and many others recorded. 

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (13) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness 
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, Dollywood Theme & Water Parks, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more) 
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options 
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Department Overview: In direct support of the mission statement of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Museum Services Division preserves and protects the Museum’s collections using best practices, while incorporating emerging technologies to provide access to these collections. Within Museum Services are teams of registrars, collection specialists, librarians, archivists, exhibit managers, and curators.

Position Overview: Reporting to the Director of Library and Archival Collections, the Archivist, Recorded Sound Collections organizes, preserves, and manages access to the museum’s collection of over 300,000 sound recordings. The position contributes to exhibitions, programming, publications, online digital archive, and other museum initiatives.

Specific Duties Include: 

• Physical processing of published and unpublished recorded sound collections in a variety of formats 
• Digitization of historic recorded sound materials (grooved discs, magnetic tape, optical discs)
• Creation of descriptive metadata for inclusion in online digital archive
• Research, curate, and edit recorded sound materials for the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, social media, and website
• Manage internal and external use of collection materials including requests for research, publication, and licensing
• Creation of original and copy cataloging MARC records for recorded sound materials
• Appraise and acquire sound recordings to develop the collection
• Steward relationships with other archives, donors, and researchers 
• Supervise interns or temporary staff, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in a relevant field (Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, or Public History with an emphasis in media archival management and preservation)
• Three years of professional experience working with recorded sound collections in a library, archive, or museum 
• Working knowledge of current and historic recorded sound formats, their signs of deterioration and individual preservation requirements
• Working knowledge of archival and digitization standards for recorded sound collections 
• Experience with industry-standard digital asset management systems and metadata standards
• Demonstrated expertise with obsolete recorded sound playback equipment
• Proficiency with recorded sound digitization hardware and audio editing and restoration software
• Familiar with the principles of appraisal and collection development for recorded sound collections
• Experience with the creation of original and copy cataloging records
• Familiarity with the history of country music and key figures within the genre

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing recorded sound content for museum exhibitions
• Working knowledge of country music and its ever-evolving history
• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly use of archival collections and of current developments in the field
• Knowledge of copyright laws pertaining to recorded sound content
• Established professional relationships in the library/archives/museum field

Key Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Knowledge of archival content, structure, and metadata standards
• Respect for country music as an art form and a commitment to continually expand knowledge of country music’s ever-evolving history
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Strong time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects

Notes to Applicant:

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-Verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application. Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/careers