Reference Archivist II / Maine State Archives

State of Maine • Augusta, ME

7d • $20 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

This is professional services work involving archival work in a specialized area. The Archivist II performs work independently and under limited supervision, overseeing the care, maintenance, organization, preservation, digitization, and documentation of archival collections. In the absence of the Archivist III, the Archivist II is responsible for coordinating the work of Archivist I, contract workers, and interns.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to provide courteous, accurate, and efficient service in a fast-paced setting with a diverse public.
• Comfortable handling large numbers of customer interactions per day while maintaining composure and professionalism.
• Work effectively within a team, supporting shared goals and contributing to a respectful, productive workplace.
• Adjust quickly to new procedures, policies, and technologies as agency needs evolve.
• A focus on accuracy and thoroughness in completing tasks and managing responsibilities. Confidently make informed decisions and stay solution-focused while managing multiple priorities without sacrificing accuracy or customer satisfaction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to explain complex rules and processes in a way that is easy for the public to understand.
• Identify and resolve issues efficiently while maintaining a calm and helpful demeanor.
• Consistently represent the Department with respect, integrity, and accountability.
• Empathetic, self-aware, and able to manage high-stress interactions with tact.
• Handle difficult or emotional customer situations with patience and effectiveness.
• Prioritize tasks and complete assignments accurately and on time.
• Dedication to high-quality work, accuracy, and upholding public trust.
• A mindset focused on improving processes, learning new skills, and supporting team development.
• A six (6) year combination of education, training, and/or professional experience in related archival services, information systems, electronic data storage management, and advanced research methods and techniques.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
• The successful candidate must pass a National Criminal Background check.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of federal and Maine laws and regulations pertaining to government records, including acquisition, retention, transparency, and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Records Management retention schedules, database, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of U.S. and Maine state history and the development of Maine state government and courts.
• Skills with sources, methods, and techniques of scholarly research using primary and secondary sources, including but not limited to public records, archival holdings, and electronic databases.
• Knowledge of archival best practices, including experience with collection and information management, database management and metadata schemas.
• Knowledge of DACS, ISAD(G), EAD, HTML, and controlled vocabularies.
• Skills with records imaging, management, description, access, and preservation.
• Knowledge of methods, techniques, and materials used in the care and preservation of records in physical and digital formats, including paper types, common hazards, conservation, electronic records management, and digital persistence practice and theory.
• Skills with various archival and office software products, including but not limited to ArchivesSpace, Open Access, LibSafe, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to anticipate and prioritize end-user experience and needs.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.
• Ability to create and document project management plans for complex projects
• Ability to coordinate and lead project teams as well as an ability to participate and contribute to team projects led by colleagues.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, with skill to clearly articulate highly technical concepts and workflows to a variety of audiences through a variety of mediums.
• Ability to read cursive handwriting.
• Ability to work with records with mold or other material hazards, including knowledge of best practices for identification, safe handling, stabilization, and housing.
• Ability to lift and carry approximately 40 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders.
• Ability to work in a dirty, dusty environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides reference services and subject-area expertise to the public and state agencies through email, telephone, and in person, including assisting researchers in the public research room.
• Uses and educates others on archival tools and best practices, including databases, guides, and other resources for finding, using, and handling historical documents in paper and digital formats.
• Performs detailed historical, statutory, and other research for in-house and public use using a variety of physical and digital resources.
• Works with patrons, state agencies, and community partners to provide specialized content experiences, programs, outreach and deliverables, including creation of research guides, presentations, and workshops.
• Develops, implements, and refines policies and procedures.
• Arranges, processes, and preserves collections in accordance with accepted professional standards and practices, including understanding and implementation of DACS and EAD, to maintain control of and provide public access to governmental documents.
• Coordinates and leads team projects, including designing strategy and workflow, delegating tasks, assessing progress, and ensuring goals are met.
• Develops and executes multi-year project management plans.
• Evaluates materials for accession and deaccession.
• Determines and deploys appropriate conservation methods to preserve and rehabilitate records.
• Assesses and recommends potential confidentiality restrictions in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Administers ArchivesSpace, LibSafe, and OpenAccess databases, including creation of database and metadata structure, maintaining metadata consistency across databases to ensure discoverability, running reports, training other staff on institutional procedures and best practices, and creating and updating internal user manuals.
• Creates and uploads records and metadata to multiple databases using controlled vocabularies and metadata schema, performs reparative description.
• Coordinates with Archive Services and Records Management teams to create and amend records retention schedules and add new archival acquisitions to the collection.
• Attends continuing education webinars, workshops, and conferences to maintain and implement knowledge of current and emerging archival best practices, including tools, approaches, and standards.
• Completes special projects as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
• Health Insurance Coverage: The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums
• Dental Insurance: The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed