Processing Archives Assistant

Robert Rauschenberg Foundation • Mount Vernon, NY

11d • $26 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Processing Archives Assistant to help process and digitize archival and manuscript collections in a range of formats, including paper, photographs, audio-visual materials, artifacts, and born-digital records. Beginning in January 2027, the Foundation’s Archives will undertake a major initiative to expand access to physical materials and digitize archival collections, with a focus on backlog materials awaiting description.

Under the direction of the Assistant Archivist and Director of Archives, the assistant will work collaboratively within the department to survey, arrange, describe, preserve, and digitize collections. The work supports the Foundation’s goal of preserving records related to Robert Rauschenberg’s life, work, and legacy and making them more accessible to scholars, artists, students, and the public. This is a full-time, 12-month term position, primarily based in person at the Foundation’s Mount Vernon location, with work at its 381 Lafayette Street, New York location as needed.

Requirements

• Significant coursework toward or completion of an ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library Science, Information Science, or a related field with a concentration in Archives.
• Demonstrated understanding of archival collections and principles of arrangement and description.
• Familiarity with archival metadata schemas, including DACS, Dublin Core, and EAD, and with controlled vocabularies.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Strong organization and time-management skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• Ability to move around the office or work environment and traverse stairs as needed.
• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Coursework and/or familiarity with 20th-century art history.
• Experience working with content management systems and digital asset management systems, preferably ArchivesSpace, FileMaker, and/or ResourceSpace.
• Previous archival processing and description experience, including an understanding of pragmatic and efficient processing procedures.
• Experience or knowledge of intellectual property issues in primary and secondary resource collections.
• Previous experience digitizing archival collections.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on assigned archival collections, including reviewing existing materials.
• Survey collections and draft processing plans.
• Assist with arrangement and description of archival and manuscript collections in a range of formats.
• Perform basic rehousing and preservation tasks, including enclosing fragile and oversized materials.
• Follow local and national best practices to create DACS-compliant finding aids in ArchivesSpace.
• Digitize archival materials in accordance with policies and best practices, including file naming and metadata entry.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical and dental coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Employer contributions for vision coverage, life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Retirement savings options with an employer matching contribution.
• Charitable giving matching program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Generous time-off policies.

What This Job Offers

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