Center for Family History Archivist

International African American Museum•Charleston, SC

About The Position

The CFH Archivist will work to achieve the goals of Center for Family History (CFH) in fulfillment of the mission of the International African American Museum (IAAM) as well as to help colleagues throughout the organization succeed. This position is an integral part of CFH’s team and is primarily responsible for the maintenance of IAAM’s CFH digital archive and projects and adherence to the policies, procedures, inherent therein. Additionally, they will oversee a robust calendar of African American genealogical and historically focused webinars that collectively form the Untold: African American Stories podcast series. The Archivist will also support specialized genealogy and family history reference and research services for CFH’s patrons both onsite and offsite. This includes services and programs that address individual and group needs, including genealogy/research-related reference and collections use, research spaces, and content delivery. This position also provides research and publication support for the CFH suite of programs, and when required other IAAM programs. The Archivist will provide administrative and programming assistance to CFH Director, which will require working weekends on an agreed schedule.

Requirements

Education/Experience: Minimum of three years’ experience in an archive/library or equivalent research setting. An MA in digital library and information science, archival studies, or digital archival studies or a related field in humanities or social science and a keen interest in African American history and culture is required. [or demonstrated experience]
Specialized Knowledge: Subject knowledge of and experience researching in the fields of archiving, library science, genealogy, family history, history, and related areas of study required. Knowledge of African American and African Diasporic history is desired.
Communication: Must demonstrate excellent people and presentation skills and be able to speak professionally with diverse groups of people in both formal and informal settings.
Computer Skills: Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, online databases, web publishing software, social media tools, and websites.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with CFH Director to align priorities, coordinate and provide public programs, and undertakes assignments necessary to meet deadlines and advance CFH’s work
Leads, manages, and develops CFH’s digital archive in concert with IAAM collections policies and procedures
Manages all aspects of CFH’s digital collections, following and implementing accepted Museum professional standards and practices. Directly manages the accession and documentation of documents, photographs, family bibles, and similar artifacts and correspondence with artifact donors in concert with exhibition collections management
Manages CFH archive database development for all collections materials. Is responsible for digitization of resources to be included in the database, metadata development, and development of database search capabilities
Performs archival research on African American-related collection materials and/or artifacts for inclusion in records and databases, including provenance research in coordination with CFH Director
Works directly with CFH Director to manage project workflow and oversees daily milestones for digital support needed for development projects
Applies knowledge of African American history and uses it to inform archival research
Supervises access to archives for study, exhibition, and research by the public using the archive resources on the CFH archive website
Supervises researchers, interns and volunteers when working in support of the archives, including training on scanners and on the handling of fragile and rare/valuable documents, books, etc.
When directed by CFH Director, or when CFH Director is absent, the Archivist manages CFH staff, volunteers, and student interns and their work on various research projects, including overseeing training methods, assignments, required disciplinary actions, and transferring staff, volunteers, and student interns to other projects
Provides guidance to CFH Director and CFH staff on areas such as archival research methodology, and analysis
Ensures the highest quality standards for CFH’s archival and research projects by reviewing student research and offering suggestions for evidence analysis and improvements
Actively seeks digitizable archival materials of local/regional/national interest to add to the archive
Provides training and support for staff, interns, and volunteers on archival, programming, and archival research techniques
Stays informed on issues relating to African American genealogy and standard archival methods
Assists with the creation and delivery of services and programs that address patron research needs on subjects including African American genealogy, primary sources, and African American history
Prioritize improvements to, enhance, and monitor CFH led programs in alignment with IAAM public programs standards. CFH programming consists of, but is not limited to, webinars, public scanning events (IAAM History), the Centenarian Stories program (interviewing African Americans who are 90+ years old), and other CFH-related programs and activities
Manages and expands CFH’s network of speakers and presenters for webinars and onboarding as vendors into the IAAM’s finance payment system
Assists with research and production of CFH’s Untold Stories podcast when needed
Manages vendor payments using IAAM’s financial payment system
Manages offsite archival and programming requests, including mailed reference request orders, email, phone, and social media inquiries
Networks with professionals and represents CFH at applicable seminars, events, and conferences when requested
Provides excellent customer service to CFH patrons via research assistance for inquiries: mail, online, email, on-site, etc.
Assists patrons with accessing and navigating the CFH digital archive
Conducts African American history/genealogical seminars as requested
Trains and supervises volunteers as needed
Assists patrons with accessing electronic genealogical databases
Answers basic reference library questions
Other CFH-related duties as requested
Adheres to company policies and procedures, standards and practices, regulatory compliance, and company directives including dress code and attendance