Lead Archivist, CHHC Project (Storytelling) Fixed-Term

National Geographic Society•Washington, DC

31d•Onsite

About The Position

The Storytelling team at the National Geographic Society focuses on expanding the organization's reach through various media including journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. They also identify grantmaking and fellowship opportunities for creative talent, with a particular emphasis on developing the next generation of diverse storytellers. Special Collections at the Society preserves over 138 years of history through a wide range of materials such as historical documents, maps, oral histories, audio/video recordings, photographs, artifacts, and media assets from current Explorer-led programs. Special Collections aims to share the Society's past and present by managing its archival, media, and information resources, and to foster a more inclusive narrative by encouraging user engagement with these materials. The Center for Human Histories and Cultures (CHHC) will transform the Society’s archives into a dynamic platform for research, digitization, and global engagement. Through collaborations with descendant communities, scholars, and institutions, the CHHC will ensure the collections provide a more inclusive and contextualized record of humanity. The Lead Archivist, CHHC Project will report to the Project Director for the CHHC and will be part of an embedded project team. This role involves planning and executing a strategy for multi-format archival assessment and processing, with a focus on incorporating the participation of communities represented in the archives. The Lead Archivist will collaborate closely with the CHHC Project team and the existing Special Collections team, leading a four-person team in conducting collection surveys, organizing and describing archival collections in consultation with source communities, and applying relevant legal, ethical, and cultural restrictions. The role also includes preserving physical items, preparing them for digitization, and participating in collection consultations. Initial work will be based at the National Geographic Society’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a future worksite in Lanham, MD, requiring travel between locations and by car as Lanham is not accessible by public transportation. This is a fixed-term position ending on December 31, 2032.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree preferred
3+ years of management experience
7+ years of progressive responsibility in Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) or related institutions with demonstrated experience leading archival processing projects
Experienced processing archivist, with demonstrated management ability
Experienced with using and designing archival, museum, and library cataloging systems, survey instruments, workflow trackers, digital asset management systems and discovery interfaces
Knowledgeable about the application of archival descriptive standards like DACS
Experience processing text-based records, photographic and AV material.
Knowledgeable about digitization programs and workflows.
Ability to identify and apply restrictions to institutional records and cultural material
Highly organized with excellent writing and communication skills
Adept at respectful communication with source communities with the ability to translate community wishes into technical solutions
Ability to manage the physical demands of archival processing, like climbing ladders, lifting 20lb record cartons, pushing carts, exposure to dust and other irritants, and periodically working in storage facilities.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Grasp of best practices while comfortable with innovation and out-of-the-box thinking.
Strong team leader, able to direct and motivate staff
Comfortable with managing multiple demands as part of a highly collaborative, informally matrixed team
Experience implementing concepts from established and emerging literature and best practices for cultural material management and community engagement such as NAGPRA legislation, SAA’s “Protocols for Native American Archival Materials” and “Principles in Indigenous Archival Repatriation;” School for Advanced Research’s “Guidelines for Collaboration,” “Standards for Museums with Native American Collections,” and “Indigenous Collections Care Guides,” CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, and “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”

Responsibilities

Plan a strategy and develop written guidelines for archival assessment and processing that incorporates the participation of communities represented in archives.
Advise on the design of a survey instrument, collection management and digital asset management system enhancements, and discovery interfaces.
Lead an archival processing team of four in conducting an archival survey and assessment, and organizing and describing archival collections in consultation with source communities according to standards developed by the Project team.
Develop an approach for gathering and managing restrictions and access to collections and other community-defined prerogatives for the management of cultural collections.
Make the necessary arrangements for the processing team to work in a safe, convenient, and comfortable manner.
Track progress on collection survey and processing goals and report on both progress and roadblocks to the CHHC Project Director.
Conduct an archival survey and assessment, and organize and describe multi-format archival collections in consultation with source communities.
Create, and oversee the creation of, processing plans.
Catalog collections using Special Collections’ collection management system, Axiell, using methods informed by source community wishes.
Apply appropriate legal, ethical and cultural restrictions to archival materials.
Preserve and store physical items and identify and prepare items for digitization, with respect to source community wishes.
Participate in and facilitate in person and remote collection consultations.
Remain apprised of emerging best practices in shared collections stewardship, repatriation, cultural knowledge management, and source community engagement.
Promote the CHHC project internally and externally through communications, conference presentations and other outlets.
Maintain relationships with professional and peer organizations undertaking similar initiatives.

Benefits

medical, dental, and vision insurance
engaging and comprehensive wellness program
401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment
flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave
12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31
paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits
learning and development opportunities
Lifestyle Spending Account
pet adoption assistance and insurance
pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy
employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit
a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks