Archivist

Description

About the American Song Archives

The American Song Archives manages the Bob Dylan Center® and the Woody Guthrie Center® in Tulsa, Oklahoma. These centers house the archives of Bob Dylan, Cynthia Gooding, Woody Guthrie, Harold Leventhal, Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, the personal libraries of Ron Cohen, Harry Smith, and Izzy Young, as well as numerous other smaller collections.

At American Song Archives, our mission is to preserve the legacy of America's most enduring and inspiring songwriters. American Song Archives operates the Woody Guthrie Center and Bob Dylan Center. The Woody Guthrie Center celebrates the life, music, and artistry of the influential folk musician while seeking to ignite a passion for social change and foster a world where the values of justice, equality, and compassion prevail. The Bob Dylan Center inspires and celebrates fearless creativity by exploring the music and artistry of the Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter as a catalyst for personal expression and cultural change.

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Archives Manager, the Archivist is responsible for supporting the day-to-day functions of the archives, including arranging and describing archival collections, creating and updating finding aids, assisting with reference services, and performing collections management activities. The successful candidate will have excellent organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively and will demonstrate initiative and follow-through with projects and tasks.

Responsibilities

The Archivist will:

• Maintain library and archival materials (papers, posters, books, periodicals, photographs, artwork, audio, film, video, ephemera, and digital files) ensuring proper inventory, arrangement, description, storage, and preservation
• Prepare finding aids and other reference guides to assist staff and researchers with finding relevant materials
• Participate in reference duty rotation and provide in-person and email reference assistance to researchers
• Contribute to the development and revision of archival policies, procedures, and workflows
• Manage, track, and order archival supplies
• Coordinate and collaborate with exhibitions team on use of archival materials in exhibits
• Assist in accessioning physical and digital collection materials
• Assist in supervising volunteers, interns, and graduate assistants
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program in library and information science with a concentration in archival studies; or an advanced degree in a related discipline, combined with relevant experience; or nearing completion of an ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science
• Experience working in special collections, archives, records management, museums, or cultural heritage settings
• Ability to prioritize projects, work on multiple projects simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate with colleagues
• Knowledge of and experience with archival theory and practice
• Knowledge of DACS, EAD, and ArchivesSpace or a related archival management system
• Experience with databases, online search and discovery tools, and cataloging/metadata applications
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of metadata standards such as Dublin Core, MODS, and PBCore
• Experience providing reference services to researchers
• Experience working with digital files in a variety of formats
• Experience supervising student workers or volunteers
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sit to perform desk-based tasks, including repetitive data entry and handwriting; frequent standing and sitting while processing materials
• Occasionally climb and reach on ladders and step stools
• Ability to lift and carry or transport materials up to 40 pounds; ability to push book carts or flatbed trucks up to 200 pounds
• Occasionally work with materials that may have been exposed to dust, pests, mildew, or mold
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Work Standards

• Excellent written, verbal, listening, and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and record-keeping skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members and to carry out work independently on archives projects
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint), scanning software, and web navigation
• Familiarity with guidelines and best practices for the digitization of archival materials, including paper and photographic materials
• Ability to learn and implement new systems and techniques as required
  
  

Hours and Location

• This is an in-person position based in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• A typical work week is Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• The work week will occasionally vary with advance notice depending on scheduled programming and other events; may require evening or weekend hours for special events or tours
  
  

Salary

• The starting salary for this position is anticipated to be $50,000.00 per year. The ultimate salary offering will be dependent upon prior education, experience, and job related skills.
  
  

Relocation

• Relocation may be considered for highly qualified candidates not currently residing in the Tulsa, Ok area.
  
  

About Our Benefits

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family.

Details

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only. Option to add vision and dependents.
• 401K employee and employer contributions.
• Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office.
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about.
• Employer-paid AD&D life insurance, with employee option to add supplemental life insurance.