LAC - Archives Technician

LAC Federal•Washington, DC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

LAC Federal is seeking detail-oriented Archival Technicians to support a 12-month project focused on the processing and preservation of nationally significant archival collections. Working under the guidance of professional archivists, the technicians will be involved in collection assessment, arrangement, rehousing, labeling, inventorying, and preservation activities for a variety of materials including manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, music, audiovisual materials, and scrapbooks. This role offers a direct contribution to preserving and enhancing access to important cultural heritage collections.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum one (1) year of experience processing archival collections, manuscript collections, special collections, museum collections, library collections, records management collections, or similar historical materials.
Experience handling and organizing paper-based archival materials.
Ability to follow established archival processing procedures and detailed instructions.
Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while working with large volumes of materials.
Ability to work independently and as part of a project team.
Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to lift and move archival boxes and collection materials weighing up to 35 pounds.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance and Library of Congress access credentials.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or Bachelor's degree in History, Library Science, Museum Studies, Archives, Information Science, Humanities, or a related field.
Experience working in an archives, special collections repository, museum, library, historical society, or cultural heritage institution.
Experience rehousing archival materials using archival-quality folders, boxes, sleeves, and enclosures.
Experience inventorying photographs, audiovisual materials, or other special-format collections.
Familiarity with archival arrangement and description principles.
Experience creating inventories, container lists, or collection tracking documentation.
Experience processing music collections, manuscript collections, or performing arts collections.
Experience working on federal government, library, archives, or museum projects.
Familiarity with archival preservation and conservation best practices.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

Assist with collection surveys and assessments to identify organization, preservation concerns, and processing requirements.
Review, sort, and organize archival materials according to established processing plans and archival procedures.
Arrange and rehouse archival materials into acid-free folders, archival boxes, sleeves, and protective enclosures.
Label folders, boxes, and other housing materials in accordance with Library of Congress standards and project requirements.
Perform foldering, boxing, refoldering, and physical organization of manuscript and archival materials.
Assist with processing correspondence, subject files, music manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, scrapbooks, biographical materials, clippings, and related collection materials.
Inventory audiovisual materials and other special formats and document required information in project tracking tools and inventories.
Identify duplicate materials, damaged items, preservation concerns, and materials requiring special handling.
Assist with basic preservation activities, including photocopying newsprint clippings and replacing non-archival housing materials.
Enter and update collection inventory information, container lists, and metadata in designated templates and systems.
Track work completed and maintain accurate production statistics and project documentation.
Follow all handling, security, and quality assurance procedures associated with federal archival collections.