Archivist - Office of Municipal Archives & History

City of Savannah•Savannah, GA

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Savannah Office of Municipal Archives & History is seeking a customer-focused Archivist to preserve and share the City’s history. The Archivist appraises, arranges, describes, catalogs, and preserves the City’s archival records, maintains physical and digital collections, responds to internal and public research requests, and promotes appropriate use of archival holdings. The position supports long-term records retention and public transparency through collection development, records management, cataloging, and public service. The Municipal Archives collects, manages, preserves, and provides access to records documenting Savannah’s history. It also administers the City records management program and City Records Center, serves researchers and the general public, and shares local history through tours, exhibits, and special programs. Work is typically performed in an office, training room, records center, or records storage location. The work location is 2 E Bay St. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employment is contingent on a background investigation, supervised drug screen, post-offer/pre-employment medical screen, and verification of education, certifications, and licenses.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library Science from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program, Archival Studies, Records Management, or History with demonstrated coursework in archival studies, plus two years of post-graduate experience in archival records or collections accessioning, processing, arrangement, description, cataloging, classification, and/or preservation; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of library principles, methods, and practices.
Knowledge of archival management and records management principles.
Knowledge of internal and external computer networks and software.
Knowledge of computers, modern office equipment, and City and department policies and procedures.
Skills in management and supervision, decision-making, compiling information and preparing reports, interpersonal relations, and oral and written communication.
Ability to operate office equipment such as a typewriter, calculator, copier, and facsimile machine.

Nice To Haves

Certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA), Institute of Certified Records Managers (CRM), and/or Georgia Records Association (GRA) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Care for the City’s archival collections through appraisal, acquisition, transfer, arrangement, description, and cataloging, including entering records in national bibliographic databases.
Identify preservation and conservation issues; perform basic preservation and conservation; identify suppliers and vendors; support disaster planning; and develop goals and objectives.
Assist departmental staff with records management, including transfers, inventories, retention schedules, retrieval, disposition, and documentation.
Fulfill public and City department reference requests concerning City records and history by identifying records, sharing relevant information, preparing original research documents, and making referrals.
Prepare and revise policies, procedures, forms, and literature to help the public and City departments access archival records.
Supervise public use of archival records, ensure proper handling, and guide users in accessing and interpreting materials.
Update the department website and archival collection portals, maintaining quality control of electronic finding aids and digital collections.
Contribute to outreach by preparing and delivering historical summaries, presentations, and physical or virtual exhibits.
Train and supervise interns, part-time staff, and temporary staff.
Perform other related duties as assigned.