Archives Technician

Job Announcement

Serves as the initial point of contact for visitors to the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center, the Archives of the Circuit Court. Assists the Historic Courthouse Manager and Assistant Archivist in the daily operations of the Historic Records Center. The court’s archives is open to the public for research, and this position serves as the primary contact with customers that include genealogists, historians, attorneys, judges, county & city planning agencies, title companies, and school groups.

Serves as the immediate liaison to all customers whether in-person at the reference desk, via telephone, or email.

Navigates the Historic Records Center with patrons and actively assists customers in the physical inspection and retrieval of historic court records. Processes, arranges, and describes historic records collections, as assigned by the Assistant Archivist. Actively encourages and promotes outreach, in part by showcasing interesting record groups by writing the clerk’s monthly “Found in the Archives” newsletter. Hosts regular, weekly historic courthouse tours.

Participates in Historic Records Center community events, locally, on weeknights and weekends, approximately two days per month. Calculates and collects appropriate fees for transactions (i.e. copies and certified copy fees) and prepares daily business close-outs. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Assists in the identification and preservation of mandated archival materials through the establishment of finding aids, guides, and other reference tools
• Coordinates all agency records transfers and retrievals involving the Records Center
• Initiates reference and retrieval activities as required by agency personnel and citizens
• Informs agencies of proper procedures in the utilization of the public record as defined in the Code of Virginia
• Is responsible for allocation of the space required for the proper storage of inactive agency records
• Assists in comprehensive records surveys and seminars involving unique or complex records groups
• Assures agency compliance with legal and administrative requirements in the transfer, storage, and retrieval or disposition of public records
• Assists in the compilation of a variety of statistics and reports related to records management operations

• Knowledge of proper procedures and legal requirements for the utilization of public records
• Knowledge of the preservation of archival materials
• Ability to prepare finding aids, guides, and other reference tools
• Ability to determine space allocation requirements for record storage
• Ability to participate in records surveys and seminars
• Ability to prepare reports
• Ability to deal effectively with County personnel, professional researchers, and the public

High school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education, supplemented by college level coursework in American history, American studies, library science, or a related field; plus, two years of experience in cataloging and managing public records, preferably in a records center environment.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an ALA‑accredited MLIS program with a concentration in archives, library science, or American history, or experience equivalent to an archives concentration
• Firm understanding of national archival standards and best practices
• Minimum of 1 year of experience performing professional tasks related to the preservation of historic records (defined as any public document dated 1913 or older)
• Experience in conducting independent historical research
• Excellent oral, written, and communication skills
• Experience giving presentations to various groups, large and small, in a professional setting
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, initiative, creativity and independent judgment
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook

Must be able to lift boxes, books, files and…