Project Archivist (NPS, Yellowstone National Park)

THE GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Gardiner, MT

8d • $30 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service at Yellowstone National Park, is recruiting a Project Archivist for the Cultural Resources Program. The position supports the park’s archives program under the direction of the NPS Supervisory Museum Curator. Its primary focus is processing, digitizing, preserving, describing, and improving access to archival and manuscript collections. The role also includes reference services, archives housekeeping, outreach, project leadership, and support for museum, archives, and library activities.

The position is seasonal, full-time for six months, and based in Gardiner, Montana. The anticipated start is as soon as possible. The schedule is either four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days. Government housing may be available for approximately $400 per month, but it is not guaranteed.

The work is primarily indoors and office-based, with a generally sedentary nature. The park’s location has seasonal temperature variation, and the role may involve occasional exposure to heat, cold, and temperature changes. Applicants must complete a Department of the Interior background investigation or provide documentation of an already completed, fully adjudicated investigation before starting. Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to archives or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of archival arrangement and description practices.
• Knowledge of archival standards such as Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Library of Congress Subject Authorities, and/or Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative (FADGI).
• Experience applying basic preservation techniques such as archival rehousing, humidification, and/or encapsulation.
• Knowledge of archival digitization processes and metadata development.
• Skill in conducting bibliographic research and locating relevant primary resource materials.
• Experience working with diverse researchers or customers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with coworkers, the public, and agency personnel.
• Self-motivation, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills to plan and complete assigned work within timelines.
• Ability to handle competing and changing priorities with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work productively, consistently, and cooperatively, independently or as part of a team.
• Clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.
• Ability to perform prolonged deskwork, lift and move items weighing 50 pounds or more, and regularly walk and drive between facilities.
• Must complete a Department of the Interior Background Investigation or submit documentation to NPS human resources of an active, fully adjudicated investigation before beginning the position.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of More Product, Less Process (MPLP) and/or Extensible Archives techniques.
• Experience assisting with arrangement and description of large collections.
• Experience working with government or institutional records.

Responsibilities

• Implement processing plans to arrange materials, incorporate addenda into existing series, revise descriptions, and create container lists in accordance with professional standards, agency guidelines, and institutional best practices.
• Conduct basic preservation work, including rehousing, humidification, and encapsulation.
• Enter descriptive data into the Museum Collection Management System (MCMS) and update narrative finding aids.
• Assist with oversight of a National Archives Records Administration affiliate.
• Perform in-house digitization, including preparation, scanning, editing, and metadata development.
• Maintain internal documents, data, and reports.
• Perform weekly and monthly archives housekeeping tasks.
• Act as project lead for archives projects.
• Assist the museum, archives, and library team with monthly Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Respond to onsite and distance reference requests, staff the reference desk, monitor researchers, research and answer queries, and help researchers locate materials.
• Assist with outreach, including leading public tours and writing social media posts.
• Attend team meetings and provide status updates and project data as needed.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Supervisory Museum Curator or other designated leadership.

Benefits

• Company-paid comprehensive medical insurance premiums.
• Company-paid dental insurance premiums, with an option to upgrade coverage.
• Company-paid vision insurance premiums.
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost.
• Sick leave and holidays.
• Access to Pro Deals.
• Government housing may be provided for approximately $400 per month; availability is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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