Assistant Archivist

King County Archives is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as an Assistant Archivist. The Assistant Archivist works under the supervision of the County Archivist in management of the Archives and works collaboratively as part of the Archives team in providing high-quality customer service; fulfilling the legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities of the Archives; and in support of the Records and Licensing Services Division and King County priorities.
 
The successful candidate will be familiar with archival standards and best practices as articulated by the Society of American Archivists, including the management of electronic archival records in a trusted digital repository. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to King County’s diverse community, as well as an equitable and inclusive environment. This position will exhibit a strong understanding of accessioning and processing standards and will demonstrate commitment to public service and continued professional development within the archives and related fields. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and collaboratively in teams and exhibit professionalism in interactions with colleagues, patrons, and others regardless of background or position. The successful candidate will demonstrate interest and aptitude for applications of new technologies to traditional archives practices and will exhibit a commitment to change agility. The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of archival reference, both in person and remote, and research techniques.
 
Our guiding principles and core values govern our roles and responsibilities as employees. We are actively seeking employees whose behaviors are in alignment with our division's core values: Collaborative, Service-Oriented, Results-Focused, Accountable, Innovative, Fair, Just, and Professional.
 
SCOPE OF JOB DUTIES: To be considered for this opportunity, you must demonstrate skill and ability to: 

• Utilize best practices concerning arrangement and descriptions of archival collections.
• Receive and accession new acquisitions of archival collections; oversee re-housing and stabilization of collections for processing preparation.
• Using current technology and software, obtain, inventory, process, organize, preserve, and provide access to archival materials, including creating finding aids for archival collections.
• Identify processing priorities in collaboration with the County Archivist and other Archives staff.
• Identify and oversee digitization projects, including developing workflows, digitizing records, and creating metadata.
• Assist a diverse population of patrons, in person and remotely, in identifying research needs and provide guidance and access to county government records. 
• Provide one-on-one reference assistance in person, as well as via phone and email.
• Research materials using a variety of formats including electronic, microform, and paper-based; effectively communicate with patrons about those findings. 
• Make high-quality digital reproductions for local and remote patrons.
• Participate in strategic program planning and support the County Archivist in the development of policies and procedures.
• Provide complex archives services support in absence of the County Archivist. Act as a resource to other County Archives staff.
• Train and guide volunteers and student interns in coordination with the County Archivist.
• Participate in professional development opportunities such as conference attendance, presentations, and workshops.
• Identity and assist in the coordination of grant opportunities related to County Archives holdings and initiatives.
• Design projects and bring them to conclusion in a timely fashion.
• Assist in migration of analog audio-visual materials to digital formats for archival preservation.
• Promote the County Archives mission by planning community outreach events and educational sessions; developing and presenting tours and lectures; and creating exhibits and social media posts.
• Perform for regular environmental monitoring of collections storage areas and identify facilities issues that may affect collections.
• Assist with daily cash handling and receiving payments. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate for this Role:

• Experience implementing stages of archival workflow, particularly accessioning and processing.
• Experience arranging and describing archival records using the “More Product, Less Process” method.
• Knowledge of descriptive formats such as MARC, EAD, DACS, Dublin Core, and other processing and metadata standards.
• Experience implementing preventative conservation strategies and knowledge of proper care, handling, and storage of archival materials, including photographs.
• Knowledge of digital records management and preservation standards.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and enthusiasm for the use of, emerging technologies.
• Experience working with a digital asset management system or trusted digital repository highly desired.
• Experience communicating difficult concepts effectively to a diverse patron base.
• Skill in using email, phone, and in-person formats to communicate, including presentations, verbal and written instructions, correspondence, and reports.
• Experience promoting archival collections via social media and other outreach projects such as curating exhibits physical and digital exhibits using archival records.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.
• Aptitude for creative troubleshooting and technical problem solving.
• Work experience in history, library science, or other transferrable fields such as museum studies, records management, or data management with an emphasis in archival work.
• OR any combination of education and experience.

THE MOST COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:

• Familiarity with records retention scheduling and records management.
• Extensive knowledge of Northwest regional history as well as Washington state and local infrastructure topics, including land use, property research, environmental history, legislation, and public policy.
• Experience working in ArchivesSpace or other archives-specific content management systems such as Archon or Archivists Toolkit.
• Excellent customer service skills with experience working with researchers and other patrons in an archival or library setting.
• Knowledge of photo conservation, image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, and digital imaging processes.
• Experience digitizing analog formats such as audio, moving images, photographs, and textual materials using flat-bed and large-format scanners.
• Experience managing large projects and implementing change management strategies.

Other Position Information: This position is overtime-eligible. Our employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday. This position is represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 117, Professional and Technical Employees.
 
This position performs work in person at the King County Archives building, located at 1215 E. Fir Street, in Seattle. A partial telework schedule may be available upon request.
 
Are you ready to APPLY?
The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified candidates. A completed King County Application is required, and a cover letter is encouraged and appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact DES Talent Solutions at DESTalentSolutions@kingcounty.gov

This recruitment is an effort to fill our immediate vacancies as well as create a hire list that will be used for any positions that become vacant within the next 6 months.     

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $34 - $43