Archivist

Iowa United Methodist Conference Center • Des Moines, IA

2d • $13 - $15 • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Methodist Conference Archivist is responsible for collecting, evaluating, preserving, organizing, storing, and managing important historical records, documents, and artifacts pertaining to Iowa Methodist Churches and pastors who have served in Iowa for future information. This position is 10-20 hours a week or 20-40 hours per pay period and would be housed in our Conference Office located in Des Moines, IA.

Requirements

• Collecting, evaluating, preserving, organizing, storing, and managing historical records, documents, and artifacts.
• Assessing documents and managing disposal of valueless documents.
• Ensuring use of proper preservation techniques.
• Preserving paper records, letters, and documents on acid-free paper.
• Removing staples, scotch tape, etc.
• Using archival pens, archival tape, stainless steel staples, etc.
• Enclosing documents in archival (acid-free) sleeves, folders, boxes, etc.
• Preserving photographs, films, video, audiotapes, CD, DVD.
• Making necessary repairs on archival items.
• Cataloging and processing books.
• Developing and keeping an inventory.
• Scanning to create electronic (preserved) copies of important records.
• Revising Church Historian Report Forms periodically.
• Comparing new Church Historian Reports with previous years before filing.
• Updating and sharing brochures.
• Providing information from archives files.
• Suggesting items to be included in archives.
• Assisting church historians as to what to keep and how to preserve documents.
• Assisting church historians or other personnel in writing church histories.
• Suggesting ideas for celebrations.
• Sharing statistics from Conference Journals.
• Responding to research enquiries via phone, email, mail, and in person.
• Providing genealogy information from closed church membership records.
• Providing pastors’ service records, pictures, obituaries, etc.
• Identifying and retrieving research materials, photocopying documents, and monitoring researchers.
• Using GCAH Guidelines for Archives from website.
• Seeking help and suggestions from GCAH.
• Corresponding with other state Methodist archivists.
• Attending training meetings.
• Attending training and workshop opportunities.
• Addressing concerns to Committee Chair.
• Writing reports of activities for archives meetings.
• Offering archival "keepsakes" for display at Conference Center.
• Assisting Archives Committee with special projects and activities.
• Suggesting needed items, such as new computer, printer, scanner, cabinets, etc.
• Suggesting ideas for future organization, storage, etc.
• Ordering archival supplies.
• Checking with designated Committee Member and/or Conference Personnel for needed supplies.
• Submitting vouchers for approval.

Nice To Haves

• Iowa Methodist Hawkeyes
• Iowa Historian Newsletters
• Grace Upon Grace
• Interpreter
• General Commission Publications
• Iowa Conservation & Preservation Consortium (on-line and training sites)
• Historical Societies, libraries, colleges
• Suggested Archives reference books

Responsibilities

• Receive Methodist Archival Items and Collections including church information, pastor's information, membership books, Iowa Conference Journals, newspapers & periodicals, other Methodist related books, Bibles, hymnals, disciplines, and artifacts.
• Assess, Preserve and Store Methodist Archival Items and Collections by assessing documents, ensuring proper preservation techniques, preserving paper records, photographs, films, video, audiotapes, CD, DVD, making necessary repairs, cataloging and processing books, developing and keeping an inventory, and scanning important records.
• Provide Assistance to Local Churches and Conference Staff by revising Church Historian Report Forms, comparing new reports, updating and sharing brochures, providing information from archives files, suggesting items to be included in archives, assisting church historians with document preservation and writing histories, suggesting ideas for celebrations, and sharing statistics from Conference Journals.
• Respond to Research Enquiries Received by Phone, E-mail, Snail-mail and in Person by providing genealogy information, pastors' service records, pictures, and obituaries, and identifying and retrieving research materials.
• Receive Assistance from General Commission on Archives and History by using GCAH Guidelines, seeking help from GCAH, corresponding with other state Methodist archivists, and attending training meetings.
• Attend Training and Workshop Opportunities in Person or on Zoom including the Iowa Conservation & Preservation Consortium, Historical Societies, libraries, colleges, and suggested Archives reference books.
• Be Responsible to the Iowa Methodist Archives and History Committee by addressing concerns to the Committee Chair, writing reports, offering archival "keepsakes" for display, assisting with special projects, suggesting needed items, and suggesting ideas for future organization and storage.
• Order archival supplies by checking with designated Committee Member and/or Conference Personnel for needed archival and office supplies and submitting vouchers for approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed