Summer Archives Assistant: Young Canada Works (4-month contract)

Royal Ontario Museum • Toronto, ON

41d • CA$20 • Onsite

About The Position

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is seeking a Summer Archives Assistant through the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCWHO) program. This position offers a unique opportunity for a student to gain hands-on experience in archival processing, collections management, and heritage research within one of Canada’s leading cultural institutions.

Working within the Library & Archives department, the Summer Archives Assistant will support the processing of the Esther Amrad Dagan fonds, a significant archival collection related to African art and dance. This work will directly contribute to improving access to archival materials that contextualize objects within ROM’s Global Africa collections.

This role is ideal for a student pursuing studies in Library and Information Science, Archives, Museum Studies, or a related field who is interested in developing practical, career-relevant experience in a professional archives environment.

This position is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Young Canada Works program, which supports students in gaining meaningful employment in the heritage sector.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in Library and Information Science, Archives, Museum Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Completion of at least one year of study in an archives, library, or museum studies program, or equivalent coursework or practical experience.
• Foundational knowledge of archival principles, including arrangement, description, and preservation practices.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a structured environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle materials with care and follow established procedures for collections management.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document and describe materials clearly and accurately.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with archival databases or metadata standards is an asset.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada.
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number.
• Must be between the ages of 16 and 30 at the start of employment.
• Must be currently enrolled as a full-time secondary or post-secondary student.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with archival databases or metadata standards is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support the appraisal, arrangement, and description of archival materials within the Esther Amrad Dagan fonds, contributing to the preservation and accessibility of records related to African art and dance.
• Work closely with the ROM Archivist to evaluate the historical significance of materials and determine appropriate archival retention and organization.
• Apply established archival standards and practices to process materials, including arranging records and creating detailed descriptions.
• Develop a finding aid and associated metadata for the collection, supporting its integration into Archeion and improving access for researchers.
• Assist in implementing appropriate preservation and storage solutions for a variety of archival formats, ensuring long-term care and usability.
• Contribute to quality control processes to maintain the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of archival data and digital assets.
• Engage with fellow interns and staff across the Museum to gain broader exposure to ROM’s collections, research, and institutional practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees