Archivist - Montana Society

Do you want to go to work every day in an amazing building that displays Montana’s history?

Do you want to join an agency of committed, inspired individuals?

Do you want to be a part of a wonderful team of library and archive professionals in an agency dedicated to preserving and sharing Montana’s history?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Montana Historical Society (MTHS) might be the perfect place for you! MTHS offers a unique workplace for its employees. It’s filled with friendly and creative staff members who work together to offer the public exciting and innovative ways to experience Montana’s history.

MTHS invites applications for the position of Archivist. The Archives is charged with identifying and collecting non-public records, manuscripts, and documents of historic significance. The Archives is also responsible, by statute, for the collection, organization and preservation of state government and local government records with historic significance. Archives staff acquire, analyze, arrange, and preserve these materials to make them available to the public.

Government records provide both public accountability as well as documenting significant events in Montana past and present.

The Archives is a department within the Library & Archives Program of the Montana Historical Society. Under the direction of the State Archivist, this position will be an integral member of the Archives team. The successful candidate will evaluate, acquire, arrange, describe and provide access to a wide variety of historical records of varying formats, along with other duties. Among other tasks, the ability to exercise sound judgment, be detail oriented, have great time management skills, along with a welcoming and friendly attitude, is important to this position.

The Archivist will work a 40‑hour a week schedule, Monday through Friday. This position is not eligible for telework.

• Preserve collections such as artifacts, artwork, records, photographs, or other materials using professional preservation methods.
• Organize, identify, catalog, describe, and classify collections to allow easy access to information.
• Research, locate, negotiate, and acquire new materials for permanent collections, exchange, or loan.
• Authenticate and appraise collections for historical significance.
• Create, administer, and maintain cataloging, and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information technology.
• Implement policies and procedures for public access to and use of collections.
• Provide reference services, workshops, instructional educational sessions, and assistance for users needing access to collections.
• Research and record the origins and historical significance of collections.
• Provides consultation to other institutions about conservation and preservation of archival materials.
• Determines priority for archival collection processing based on agency standards, historical significance, and professional standards.
• Establish and administer policies and procedures for public access and use of archival materials, considering their effect on the historical objects.
• Address escalated reference inquiries and complaints.

• Thorough knowledge of modern archival theory, standards, and practices and their implementation.
• Knowledge of Archives Space or other content management system.
• Knowledge of MARC, DACS and EAD.
• An understanding of research methods.
• Ability to communicate simple and complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of Montana and western history preferred.
• Ability to interact well with Library & Archives visitors.

• Must be able to climb, crouch, pull, push, reach, stand, engage in repetitive motions including movements of the hands, wrists, or fingers, move, touch including finger dexterity, communicate, hear including receiving detailed information orally or making fine discriminations in sound and see including color, depth perception or clarity.
• Must be able to move and stand for several hours at a time.
• The job requires some lifting of heavy volumes and boxes, but most tasks are performed in an office setting.