Photo Archivist

Description:
Do you want to go to work every day in an amazing building that displays Montana's history?
Do you want to join an agency of committed, inspired individuals?
Do you want to be a part of a wonderful team of library and archive professionals in an agency dedicated to preserving and sharing Montana's history?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Montana Historical Society (MTHS) might be the perfect place for you! MTHS offers a unique workplace for its employees. It's filled with friendly and creative staff members who work together to offer the public exciting and innovative ways to experience Montana's history.
MTHS invites applications for the position of Photograph Archivist (Archivist 2). The MTHS Library holds the nation's largest collection of published materials related to the history of Montana. The collection includes books, maps, pamphlets, posters, periodicals, newspapers, and other resources about Montana, with supporting materials exploring the history of neighboring states and provinces. The person sought for this position will be a positive representative of the Montana Historical Society to the public, and will embody the MTHS culture of excellence, teamwork, professionalism, and passion for the work that we do.
Function: The Photograph Archives is a department within the Library & Archives Program of the Montana Historical Society. Under the direction of the Photograph Archives Manager, this position will be an integral member of the Library and Archives team. The successful candidate will evaluate, arrange, describe, and provide access to a wide variety of still and moving images, respond to inquiries about materials in the Library and Archives collections, and assist in the acquisition of new collections and the care of existing collections. Among other tasks, the ability to exercise sound judgment, be detail orientated, have great time management skills, along with a welcoming and friendly attitude, is important to this position.
Other: The Photograph Archivist will work a 40-hour a week schedule, Monday through Friday. This position is not eligible for telework. The hourly rate of this position will increase by $1.50 per hour starting July 1, 2024, in accordance with HB13.
The MTHS, guardian of Montana's memories, is located in beautiful Helena, Montana. Come join us at the MTHS where we work together to save the past, share Montana's stories, and inspire exploration, to provide meaning for today and a vision for tomorrow!
Representative Duties:

• Physically prepare the materials for long-term preservation and care by arranging and housing them according to national standards that are consistent with conditions and technology available within the agency.
• Organize, identify, catalog, describe, and classify collections to allow easy access to information, done via producing standardized cataloging in accordance with national library/archives standards for submission to the Montana Historical Society's online catalogs.
• Research, locate and negotiate, and acquire new materials for permanent collections, exchange, or loan and maintain relationships with existing donors and builds relationships with new donors.
• Authenticate, review and appraise donated still and moving image materials to determine condition and historical significance.
• Create, administer, and maintain cataloging, and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information technology.
• Implement policies and procedures for public access to and use of collections and provides access to the still and moving image collections.
• Implement collection development policies, practices, and strategies to ensure that negatives, prints, slides, and other historical photographic images are collected, preserved, and made available for current and future patrons.
• Provide reference services and assistance for users in a wide variety of audiences: individuals, state agencies, professional historians, educational groups, local organizations, film companies, journalists, and publishers.
• Research and record the origins and historical significance of collections and be able to provide information on a broad range of topics to users.
• Provides consultation to other institutions about conservation and preservation of archival materials.
• Determines priority of still and moving image collections for processing, based on knowledge of research needs, agency priorities, historical significance, and professional standards.
  • Sets priorities to improve the long-term preservation of the materials in the collection by identifying still and moving images that are most in need of preservation and/or copying, based on knowledge of research needs, historical significance, and condition.
• Establish and administer policies and procedures for public access and use of archival materials, considering their effect on historical objects.
• Address escalated reference inquiries and complaints.
• Oversee and provide training for the daily work of interns or volunteers.

Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to climb, crouch, pull, push, reach, stand, engage in repetitive motions including movements of the hands, wrists or fingers, move, touch including finger dexterity, communicate, hear including receiving detailed information orally or making fine discriminations in sound and see including color, depth perception or clarity.
• Must be able to move and stand for several hours at a time.
• May travel to evaluate potential archival documents, provide education assistance, and conduct research.
• May require lifting bulky, heavy record containers, up to 35 pounds.
• This position has frequent contact with the public.

Qualifications
Required Skills:

• A thorough knowledge of modern archival theory, standards, and practices and their implementation. This knowledge includes an understanding of appraisal methods, arrangement and description, cataloging, preservation, and access of analog and digital materials.
• Thorough knowledge of current and historic photographic and film processes, signs of deterioration and their individual preservation requirements
• Sound knowledge of Montana and/or western American history.
• An understanding of historical research methods in both primary and secondary resources, including film research.
• Ability to communicate both simple and complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, to people with various degrees of knowledge of archival theories and of historic research ability.
• Ability to work independently.
• Thorough knowledge of electronic information systems and specialized technology related to archival cataloging and patron information retrieval systems, including MARC, EAD, and ArchivesSpace or a similar collection management system.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Library Science, history, photograph preservation or related field with emphasis upon archival science or film / photograph collection management.
• One to two years of job-related work experience is preferred.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter
• Resume