Archivist; LTE

Gates Archive is seeking a generalist Archivist with breadth of understanding or experience in various archival and related workflows including records management, accessioning, processing, screening, and/or access for physical and born-digital collections to contribute to cross-department operations and projects.

Reporting to the Manager, Collection Development & Description, the Archivist will work closely with the Gates Archive team to provide responsive support for priority initiatives including preparation of large philanthropic collection for access and use.

This is a 2-year limited-term employee (LTE) role, working full-time (40 hours/week, with benefits). This position is eligible for hybrid work, consisting of a minimum 3 days per week onsite with our Seattle based team with the option to work remotely on remaining days.

Core Responsibilities:

• Oversee workflow development and execution for program areas under direction of program area Manager in collaboration with other Archive staff. The Archivist will be required to focus on one or more of the following areas:
  • Records Management:
    Collaborate with and provide feedback to donor organizations to implement and refine records management policies and procedures in support of archive workflows.
  • Acquisitions:
    Support development and execution of accessioning and screening workflows including machine-assisted identification of sensitive information and assignment of record classifications or embargoes.
  • Collections Management:
    Interact and collaborate with archive leadership and donor organizations to facilitate the appraisal, acquisition, and management of archival materials, including disposition.
  • Description:
    
    Oversee processing and asset metadata workflows or projects. Contribute to local descriptive standards that support management of and controlled access to information in a variety of formats across multiple collections.
• Contribute to fulfillment of access requests including timely virtual or in-person delivery of information to users via research or descriptive tools, in accordance with donor preferences and applicable access/use policies, as needed.
• Support preservation surveys, identification, prioritization, and execution of preservation measures to ensure the long-term stability of archival materials, as needed.
• Support training and supervision of targeted workflows by Assistant Archivists, Asset Management Specialists, and Archive Technicians, as needed.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing across the organization, including onboarding and training of new team members.
• Collaborate with team and track leadership Lead out and/or execute strategic projects in support of organizational and programmatic goals.
• Collaborate with technologists, production specialists, asset management system specialists, oral historians, and project managers on cross-program activities.
• Provide leadership based on advances in professional standards and emerging archival technologies; explore and propose new technologies and methods to meet archive needs.
• Maintain statistics, reports, and other metrics to improve collection management functions.
• Build a culture of belonging across the organization in alignment with organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
• Operate in an environment that prioritizes the values of teamwork, trust, professionalism, and stewardship.
• Fulfill other organizational duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Education:

• A Master’s Degree of Library & Information Science or History or another relevant field or area of study, with a concentration or certification in archival studies, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Experience:

• 5+ years professional work experience in an archive environment acquiring, processing, preserving, and/or providing access to archival collections.
• Experience with collection management, including creation and interpretation of accession records or collection policies.
• Experience and/or training in records management, including experience working with donors, partners, or stakeholders to develop, refine, or apply records management schedules and screening records for sensitive content, including interpreting and applying access restrictions or embargoes for access to and/or use of archival materials.
• Experience developing and overseeing workflows, managing priority, and collaborating with technologists to identify, test, and deploy new tools.
• Experience using collection management, access, and discovery systems, or asset management systems.
• Experience developing or maintaining records management policies and processes, preferred.
• Experience supporting end-to-end acquisitions workflows for born-digital and physical materials, preferred.
• Experience performing basic preservation techniques to archival materials (e.g. document flattening, fastener removal, rehousing, humidification, etc.), preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to work collegially and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated understanding of modern…