The Montana Historical Society is the guardian of Montana’s memory. Established in 1865, the oldest institution of its kind in the West, the MHS’s vast historic collections of artifacts, photographs, and documents are exhibited in six extraordinary galleries. In 1969, we became the official state Archives and the repository for state agency records of permanent value.
The Photograph Archivist is responsible for evaluating, acquiring, arranging, describing, and providing access to a wide variety of photographic images. In doing so, the Photograph Archivist is responsible for the development and care of existing photograph collections, the assessment and acquisition of new collections and dissemination of information from these collections on inquiries related to the history of Montana and the West. In so doing, the Photograph Archivist has the responsibility for cataloging images acquired so that they are accessible to the staff and the public.
Please provide contact information for three professional references.
Duties:
- Implements 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.
- Reviews and assesses donated materials to determine condition and historical value. Applies archival management theories and methods in determining how collections or images should be cataloged. This includes the physical preparation of materials for long-term preservation and care by arranging and housing them according to national photograph archives standards that are consistent with conditions and technology available within the agency.
- Produces standardized cataloging in accordance with national library/archives standards for submission to the Montana Historical Society’s online catalogs.
- Develops, enhances, and maintains electronic information database and patron access systems for the photograph archives.
- Conducts complex historical research on and compiles histories of individuals, groups, institutions, or businesses to provide a context for newly processed collections or images. Applies archival theories to write descriptive inventories, indices, and other professionally approved reference materials in accordance with national and agency standards for the use of staff, researchers, and state employees.
- Determines priority of photograph collections or images for processing, based on knowledge of research needs, agency priorities, historical significance, and professional standards.
- Responds to a wide variety of sophisticated reference inquiries from individuals, state agencies, professionals, educational groups, local organizations, film companies, journalists, publishers and institutions by conducting research and providing information on a broad range of topics.
- Provides concise and accurate interpretations and analysis of complex historical events based on reference interviews of a wide range of patrons.
Competencies:
- 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, access and outreach.
- Thorough knowledge of current and historic photographic processes, signs of deterioration and their individual preservation requirements.
- Sound knowledge of Montana and/or American history.
- An understanding of historical research methods in both primary and secondary resources, including photographic 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.
- Thorough knowledge of electronic information systems and specialized technology related to archival cataloging and patron information retrieval systems, including MARC and EAD
Education/Experience: This position requires skills and abilities typically acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in history, American studies, or a related field and the completion of a Master’s degree in Library Science, history or a related field that includes emphasis upon photographic preservation and archival care and management of photograph collections.
Deadline to Apply: September 6, 2016 @ 1:59am
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, 3 Professional References
Contact Name: Denise Gjerde | Contact Email: dgjerde@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-444-2697
Full post: https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=16142035