Job Description

The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

The Archivist oversees the Walker Art Center’s institutional records and related materials, and provides research support to staff and external users, while ensuring the preservation and accessibility of the Center’s archival collections.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO  

• Oversee the care, appraisal, accessioning, rehousing, arrangement, and description of institutional records, sound and moving image collections, and special collections.
• Create and maintain inventories, databases, and finding aids to facilitate access at the collection, series, folder, and item levels.
• Preserve archival materials through basic repair, monitoring storage environments, and implementing best practices for paper, analog tape, film, and born-digital materials.
• Digitize analog materials and manage the creation, storage, and backup of digital masters.
• Prepare condition reports and identify items requiring professional conservation.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures to balance security and accessibility
• Facilitate onsite and remote research for staff, scholars, students, museum professionals, and the public.
• Manage rights and reproductions requests for archival assets.
• Lead or contribute to special projects that involve research, writing, and long-range planning.
• Communicate with donors and creators regarding potential acquisitions.

WHAT WE NEED IN YOU 

Minimum Requirements

• Formal training in archival theory and practice is required
• A master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an (ALA)-accredited school or a post-graduate degree in a relevant humanities field 

Preferred Skills

• Experience arranging, describing, and providing reference services for a variety of archival collections
• Familiarity with current best practices for access, description, and preservation across multiple formats
• Knowledge of cataloging rules and descriptive standards such as RDA, AACR2, DACS, LCSH, AAT, EAD, Dublin Core, VRA Core, and IPTC
• Experience working with archival records in a museum, historical society, or special collections library
• Experience with analog and digital records
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Understanding of copyright, fair use, and legal issues affecting archives, libraries, and museums; experience in rights and reproductions preferred
• Experience with exhibition preparation preferred
• Proficiency with digitization tools and software including Adobe Creative Suite and open-source tools like Audacity preferred
• Experience with Filemaker Pro preferred
• Experience with archival systems such as Archives Space desired

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to climb ladders and lift/carry boxes weighing up to 40 lbs.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS This position is considered full-time (35 hours per week), exempt. As an exempt position, it is not eligible for overtime pay. The compensation for this role is $50,000 annually. 

The Walker offers a wide range of benefits for both part-time and full-time employees, click link to view benefits: 

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Walker’s DEI commitment  The Walker is committed to being an employer with a staff who, at all job levels, reflects the rich diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring inclusion and equity in all our employment practices. We deeply value and welcome all the unique lived experiences in our applicants and encourage anyone meeting the minimum requirements to apply.

Recruitment Timeline  All positions are open until filled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position; they do not purport to describe all functions of the role. All Walker role descriptions allow for potential career growth through broadening accountabilities. Other duties may be assigned and/or the essential functions of the position may change or be changed.

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