Winterthur Archivist

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.

Winterthur employs a wide array of positions in the areas of curatorial, horticulture, education, conservation, library, maintenance, marketing, development, technology, and administration.

Winterthur offers a unique and rewarding experience that is rich in culture and natural beauty. We consider our employees and volunteers to be among our greatest assets and welcome applications from candidates who will contribute their specific skills to Winterthur's mission “to inspire, enlighten, and delight all of its visitors while preserving and enhancing” Winterthur and also uphold its core values of agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the Library Director, the Winterthur Archivist is responsible for the management of the Winterthur Archives. Located in the Winterthur Library (part of the Academic Affairs division), the Winterthur Archives documents the history and development of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, first as a private estate and then as a public museum. The Archives includes the organizational and administrative records of the museum, the records of Winterthur Farms, and papers relating to Henry Francis du Pont and his immediate family, and consists of material in all formats (physical, digital, audiovisual, and multimedia).

The Winterthur Archivist manages all aspects of the museum archives program, including appraisal, accessioning, processing, outreach, and donor relations activities. A highly collaborative, motivated, and visible colleague, the Archivist makes the museum’s archival collections usable, discoverable, and accessible, supports library and institutional initiatives, develops meaningful and relevant public engagement, and supports an active research audience through excellent reference and research service.

Compensation: $68,000 - $75,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits:  Including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid time off plan including 10 holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time; 403b with employer match for eligible employees; discounts in the museum store and cafe; free general admission for you and your immediate family

Work Schedule:  Monday – Friday, 35 hours/week

Responsibilities:

1. Develops, maintains, and oversees disposition of Winterthur’s records and historical archives, including providing training and guidance to Winterthur staff and departments on records management practices and procedures. Together with the library team, establishes and implements policies, workflows, and guidelines related to collections stewardship activities.
2. Accessions, processes, and makes available archival collections through the library’s management and discovery platforms, including ArchivesSpace, Virtua (ILS), and AM Quartex (digital collections).
3. Working with the Library Director, reviews survey of Winterthur Archives (completed 2023) to develop a phased plan for providing better access to archival collections, with activities which may include migrating, standardizing, and/or creating new finding aids; generating new descriptive information; rehousing materials; and reprocessing some collections.
4. Works as part of a collaborative team to support library activities, goals, and initiatives, including but not limited to reference and research support, programming, instruction, digital projects, and outreach.
5. Actively engages in collections projects, including but not limited to developing cohesive processing guidelines, updating training methods, and implementing workflows for born digital material. Collaborates with the Collections Archivist and library staff to create sustainable and effective physical and digital processing workflows and integrates these efforts into collections projects. 
6. Collaborates with Exhibitions and Interpretation & Engagement on select outreach, exhibition, and interpretive initiatives pertaining to the history of Winterthur, including a permanent Estate history exhibition with an anticipated installation in the next 3-5 years
7. Works with library, curatorial, and registration departments on efforts to document and develop strategies for managing the estate’s object collection.
8. Supports cross-departmental institutional initiatives related to exhibitions, preservation, publishing, digital collections, and public programming.
9. May supervise staff, interns, and/or volunteers.
10. Participates in professional development activities, attending workshops, meetings, and conferences and keeping abreast of current developments, scholarship, and best practices.

Requirements

Minimum Experience: MLS or MS in archival management; or related graduate degree with 4-5 years of professional archival experience in a museum or academic library setting

Preferred Experience: MLS or MS in archival management; or related graduate degree with with 6+ years of professional archival experience in a museum or academic library setting with progressive levels of experience; supervisory experience.

Knowledge/Skills:

1. Knowledge of archival theory, issues, trends, and best practices, including descriptive standards, metadata, preservation principles, and concepts related to digitized and born-digital materials
2. Understanding of records management principles
3. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, including an ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders
4. Excellent communication, organization, time management, problem-solving, and research skills 
5. Established record of scholarly and professional contributions, including through publication, presentation, and professional service? 
6. Experience with automated library systems (such as Virtua, Alma/Primo) and common archival, special collections, and digital content management systems (such as ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, AMQuartex, Islandora, etc).? 
7. Reading knowledge of one or more languages other than English, preferably in French, German, and/or Italian.

Essential Functions:

1. Valid Driver’s License, and ability to successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course.
2. Ability to work at a computer for up to 8 hours a day.?  
3. Ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch; to climb ladders and lift, carry, and reach overhead to support materials; to push and pull carts of varying weights; and to lift up to 30 pounds unassisted.?  
4. Ability to tolerate dusty environments.?  
5. Ability to tolerate temperatures of 60-65 degrees for short periods.