Project Archivist

Amistad Research Center•New Orleans, LA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Amistad Research Center (ARC) seeks a full-time Project Archivist for a one-year, term-limited project. The successful applicant will complete deliverables for the arrangement, description, digitization, and preservation of the organizational records of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons for the State of Louisiana. Reporting to the Curator of Manuscripts, the Project Archivist will be responsible for assisting in the processing (arrangement, description, and preservation) of the records addendum of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons for the State of Louisiana. Additionally, the Project Archivist will be responsible for creating an online finding aid in the Center’s collection management system. Under the supervision of the Digital Archivist, the Project Archivist will be responsible for the digitization of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge Minute Books spanning from 1870 to 1990. They will also be responsible for producing accurate metadata, contributing to an online digital library, and record creation in Amistad’s collection management system, TMS Collection. The M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. for the State of Louisiana is an African American fraternal order established in 1863 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Prince Hall Masons of Louisiana can trace their historical roots to antebellum New Orleans and St. James A.M.E. Church, the first church of African Methodism established in the Deep South. The records of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. for the State of Louisiana serve as documentary evidence of the role African American freemasonry, as an invisible institution, took in the long struggle of equality within Louisiana and throughout the United States. The records of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. for the State of Louisiana held at the Amistad Research Center (ARC) afford historical scholarship the opportunity to explore the importance of the interrelated roles between African American freemasonry, the Black church, and community to address social, political, and economic discrimination and disparities from the time of Reconstruction through to the late 20th century. The Grand Lodge’s records consist of a significant portion of the body of activities of the organization and its members from 1857 to 2000. The Amistad Research Center (ARC) is at an exciting point in its’ long history with strategic collections and public program initiatives. ARC is committed to displaying excellence in our delivery of services and is known for its transformative programs. At ARC, the Project Archivist will have opportunities for professional development and collaboration with colleagues, and participate in planning and priority-setting. The Project Archivist will also work in an organizational environment that champions staff development, empowerment, teamwork, innovation, and diversity and inclusion. The ARC’s collections document ethnic history and race relations in the United States, including, Latinx, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Appalachian whites, as well as the LGBTQ community. ARC’s collections center on education from the Postbellum period to the present; religious and Masonic orders; materials chronicling the Civil Rights Movement and other social justice movements; United States organizational involvement in Africa; the cultural arts; African American political and community leaders in New Orleans; and medical history, particularly in the Jim Crow South.

Requirements

Experience in archival processing, including knowledge of archival and preservation principles, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of descriptive standards for archives, including electronic access tools EAD, MARC21, and DACS, as well as the archival collection management systems ArchiveSpace and TMS Collections.
Excellent research skills and capability of managing multiple tasks in a diverse staff environment.
Proficient with Internet, microcomputers, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Excel.
Experience in creating, remediating, and crosswalking metadata schemas.
Detail-oriented with strong writing and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively exercise initiative and judgment.
Ability to perform physical activities associated with an archival environment.
Commitment to customer service and willingness to community outreach.
Ability to collaborate with other staff and departments.
At least one year of relevant experience in a role related to libraries, archives, museums, or digital/database management.
A Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program with experience in archival theory and practice.
At least one to two years of archival processing, experience and training in an archives or manuscripts repository.
Demonstrated knowledge in processing and preservation is preferred.
Experience in archival reference and research services, detail-oriented with strong writing and communication skills.
At least one year of experience working in a role related to libraries, archives or museum digital projects and database management.
Must possess an understanding and passion for the mission of the Amistad Research Center and its future.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge in processing and preservation is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with content analysis for arrangement and description of paper-based and photographic materials within the records.
Conduct additional historical research and writing to create descriptive content into enhance online finding aids to collections.
Perform re-housing and encapsulation tasks for long-term stabilization and preservation of collections.
Work with staff and the collection management system, ArchivesSpace, to create an online finding aid to the records, including additional description of the historical significance and access points inherent for research within collections, as well as detailed container listings for individual files, documents, and photographs.
Digital capture of fragile archival material using a Bookeye scanner to create digital surrogates.
Record creation, data entry, conducting in-depth research into biographical information and compiling inter-departmental data for the Archives Collection Management System (TMS Collections).
Publish an online exhibition to the Louisiana Digital Library.
Produce and crosswalk accurate metadata to accompany digital surrogates and enhance discoverability.
Write blogs and social media posts related to the work and the material.