Processing Archivist and Cataloger

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) is seeking a part-time Processing Archivist for a two-year term to support the implementation of its Getty Foundation-funded project, Black Visual Arts in Motion: Activating Mid-20th Century Home Movies from Chicago’s South Side. This project focuses on processing and describing the Ramon Williams Collection and identifying key figures and events from the Black Chicago Renaissance. SSHMP is a community-centered archival initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, and making accessible home movies created by residents of Chicago’s South Side, advancing a vital visual record of underrepresented histories. Working under the supervision of SSHMP leadership, including the Project Director and Project Manager, the Processing Archivist and Cataloger will play a central role in processing, digitizing, and describing audiovisual materials. The position is responsible for ensuring that materials are preserved, described, and made publicly accessible in alignment with professional archival standards and SSHMP’s community-centered stewardship model.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Degree, preferably in African-American History, art history, Chicago Studies, film studies, or related field.
Skilled in film handling and/or archival collection processing.
Background in Black visual art history or Chicago public history.
Proficient in metadata creation.
Familiarity with ArchivesSpace, Omeka, or other content management systems.
Knowledge of digital preservation or digitization workflows.
Familiarity with non-linear video editing software.
Strong research and analytical skills.
Work independently.
Excellent organizational, written, and communication skills.
Commitment to community-centered archival practices and cultural sensitivity.
Demonstrated interest in film, art history, cultural studies, archives, or public history.
Strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Inspects, cleans, repairs, digitizes, and creates access files for the majority of the remaining Ramon Williams films, with assistance from the Project Manager. This includes conducting inventory and condition assessments, preparing film materials for digitization workflows, and coordinating specialized preservation processes when required.
Creates, edits, and manages metadata records for audiovisual materials using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary.
Conducts research to identify people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films, ensuring accurate, inclusive, and context-rich descriptions.
Ingests digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and ensures materials are accessible through its online platform.
Enhances discoverability through subject tagging, keywording, and descriptive annotations that reflect both scholarly frameworks and community-informed knowledge.
Performs quality control on digitized files and metadata records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
Maintains clear documentation of processing workflows, metadata decisions, and digitization outputs in accordance with grant reporting and sustainability standards.
Works closely with SSHMP staff to support community-informed archival practices, including reviewing user-generated metadata and preparing materials for public programming, exhibitions, and digital storytelling initiatives.
Contributes to the development of collection-level and thematic resources, such as finding aids, digital exhibits, or interpretive essays, that enhance public understanding and use of the Ramon Williams Collection.
Participates in regular project meetings to assess progress, refines workflows, and ensures alignment with grant deliverables.
Assists with documentation and reporting required by the BVAA grant.
Supports SSHMP’s broader public programming and Black Visual Arts initiatives, as needed.
The job performs routine assignments in a library unit in the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources.
Resolves processing problems with units
Identifies and documents preservation needs and, with moderate/high guidance from others, ensures the preservation of library pieces, electronically and digitally.
Performs other related work as needed.