Archival Technician

State of Utah • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Utah Historical Society (UHS) is seeking to hire a full-time Archival Technician to play a crucial role in assisting the Photograph & Manuscript Collections Specialist in the curation and preservation of the historic photograph and manuscript collection. This position will contribute primarily to the archival processing of formally accessioned materials, and will oversee the arrangement and description, collection housing, and original cataloging of assigned collections. The UHS is currently transitioning to the new Museum of Utah, which includes a collection storage facility to house the entire permanent collection of UHS and the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Collections are scheduled to move through Spring 2027. During the first year of the position, the Archival Technician will assist in the movement of all UHS collections between the various collection storage sites and the new facility, with primary focus on the packing, location tracking, and reshelving of the photograph and manuscript collection. The Archival Technician reports to the Collections Manager, with day-to-day oversight provided by the Photograph & Manuscript Collections Specialist. The position may also take direction from the Director of Collections & Exhibitions and the Museum Director. The Archival Technician may help supervise temporary staff and volunteers as needed. The position is part of the Collections Management team and works in close coordination with the Photographs & Manuscripts Collection Specialist, as well as the Artifacts Curator, the Historical Archaeology Collection Specialist, and the Museum Registrar. The Collections Management team is led by the Collections Manager, who reports to the Director of Collections & Exhibitions.

Requirements

• Familiarity with the UHS collection.
• Passion for archival processing and preservation.
• Familiarity with and application of accepted archival processing practices, especially principles of arrangement and description.
• Strong computer literacy and experience working in collections management database systems.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative mindset.
• Lifelong learner who is self-motivated, accountable, resilient, and adaptable.
• Ability to work unscheduled overtime during periods of collections moves.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor degree or higher in Library & Information Science, Archival Science, Museum Studies, History, or a similar course of study.
• Experience processing and handling a variety of photograph and negative formats, including cellulose nitrate negatives.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the systematic inventorying and processing of the legacy manuscript and photograph backlog.
• Oversee the archival arrangement and description of assigned manuscript and photograph collections in accordance with industry standards and best practices. This will apply to both analog and digital collections.
• Assist in the creation of a functional processing and style guide, adapted from industry standards and tailored to the needs of UHS’s collections and Collection Management System (CMS).
• Assist in the creation of policies and procedures as needed. Examples may include procedures for the deaccession and disposition of deteriorated nitrate negatives; and procedures for the acclimatization and use of collections kept in cool storage.
• Assist in other archival activities as needed. Examples include: collection inventories, location tracking, reconciliation exercises, rudimentary conservation activities, basic custodial duties connected to the processing space, and large-scale rehousing and reshelving.
• Actively seek professional development opportunities and training that will improve the quality and effectiveness of archival processing and overall competence as an archivist.
• Transform archival descriptions, metadata, and finding aids created for new and legacy collections during the archival process into catalog records and in-database hierarchies in the CMS.
• Update collection records for existing collections in the CMS, and perform other data entry projects as assigned.
• Assist in the packing, location tracking, transport, and reshelving of all manuscript and photograph collections as needed or assigned.
• Assist the Engagement Room by preparing and retrieving research materials, including materials that must be acclimatized prior to access.
• Assist with reference activities and oversee researchers in the Engagement Room as needed.
• Support UHS activities and events, including Members’ events, behind-the-scenes tours, and newsletter or marketing materials as needed.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level