Special Collections Archivist II

J. Paul Getty Trust, The•Los Angeles, CA

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The Getty Research Institute (GRI) seeks a motivated and knowledgeable Archivist with Spanish and Portuguese language skills for a three-year limited-term project to process three modern and contemporary Latin American collections: the Videobrasil records, the Gertrudis de Moses photographs, and the Grete Stern photographs of indigenous peoples of the Argentine Gran Chaco. The Videobrasil records (approximately 6 pallets) document 20 editions of the program’s International Electronic Art Festival (1983-2023), which features digital art, installations, and performances by artists from the Geopolitical South–Africa, Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. The collection materials are primarily in Portuguese and consist largely of audiovisual and born-digital materials, with a small papers component. The de Moses and the Stern photographs, both Spanish-language collections, will be processed following the completion of the Videobrasil records. The de Moses photographs (approximately 27 linear feet) cover the Chilean American photographer’s work from the 1920s to the 1980s, with approximately 10,000 prints and 4,400 negatives, and 30 albums comprising de Moses’s experimental work from 1938 onward, including portraits, nudes, and color images. The Stern photographs (approximately 20 linear feet) consist of the German Argentine photographer’s work documenting the indigenous inhabitants, living conditions, and landscape of the Argentine Gran Chaco from 1959 to 1964. The collection includes 176 vintage gelatin silver prints; 1,500 black-and-white and color negatives; three handmade albums compiled of sheets of annotated contact prints; as well as black-and-white and color slides. Reporting to the Special Collections Archivist III who will supervise the project, the Special Collections Archivist II will work independently to physically process and arrange the materials according to archival best practices; creating online finding aids in compliance with local guidelines and national standards; communicating and closely collaborating with curatorial, conservation, and digitization staff; and writing blog posts and participating in outreach activities related to the collections. Additional collections will be assigned if time permits. Located at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Getty Research Institute is dedicated to cultivating advanced knowledge of art and its varied histories. Serving an international community of scholars, the Getty Library is one of the largest art and architecture libraries in the world, with holdings of more than one and a half million books and periodicals, rare books and journals, rare photographs, prints dating from the 15th century to the present, architectural drawings and models, audiovisual recordings, digital content, and extensive archives and manuscript collections.

Requirements

MLIS from an ALA-accredited library school with emphasis on Archives; OR related Master’s degree with substantive coursework in Archives
Fluency or reading proficiency in Spanish and Portuguese preferred; candidates with fluency or reading proficiency in one language will be considered
Minimum 2 years of related experience processing archival collections
Please note: This position is not eligible for employer-based immigration sponsorship. Applicants must have authorization to work for Getty in the United States without the need for sponsorship, currently or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with audiovisual materials, born-digital materials, and photographs preferred
Strong writing and communication skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Ability to lift and move 40 pounds
Ability to climb ladders
Knowledge of contemporary art history preferred
Knowledge of Latin American art history preferred
Experience managing large processing projects preferred
Knowledge of standards such as DACS, EAD, MARC, and RDA
Experience with ArchivesSpace or other collection management systems preferred
Experience handling large format materials and/or artwork preferred
Must have means of transportation to work sites at both the Getty Center in Brentwood and the Getty’s off-site facility in Valencia, approximately 30 miles to the north

Responsibilities

Create and refine processing plans for all three project collections in alignment with local procedures and in consultation with the Special Collections Archivist III overseeing the project
Arrange, process, and re-house the Videobrasil records, the Stern photographs, and the de Moses photographs according to archival best practices, applying professional judgment to process complex collections of fragile and at-risk formats with no apparent arrangement
Create DACS-compliant finding aids and bibliographic records for the three collections based on current standards, best practices, research, and analysis
Makes decisions regarding storage and preservation of collection materials in consultation with others
May train, supervise, and revise the work of others
May facilitate digitization for select collection materials
May answer reference questions related to the collections
May research, write, present, and publish about collections and work activities
May contribute to outreach activities

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan – with up to 5% Getty Match
Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
Educational Assistance and professional development
Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days
12 Paid Holidays
Many positions have bi-weekly off-Fridays
On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
Community service opportunities

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