Curator of and archivist

Job Description

Primary purpose:
The Curator of Manuscripts and Photographs (Archivist) is responsible for management of the Archives of Historic Newton, including collection development, preservation, and access; and for selected interpretive projects drawing on contents of the Archives.

Supervision:
Supervision Received: 
Reporting to the Director of Historic Newton (HN), the Curator of Manuscripts and Photographs (Archivist) establishes their work plan and completes work in accordance with established best practices for archives and museums, and HN’s strategic plan. The Archivist often juggles competing priorities and leverages volunteer support to make best use of limited time and funds.

Supervision Given: 
The Archivist supervises part-time volunteers and interns, establishing schedules, priorities, duties, and performance standards.

Essential Functions:
The Curator of Manuscripts and Photographs (Archivist): 
• Monitors, rehouses, and stores archival collections to ensure their preservation for future generations.
• Maintains and improves discovery tools, including inventories, finding aids, catalog records, and website content, to ensure knowledge of and access to the contents of the Archives.
• Supports Historic Newton’s programming and exhibits through research and facilitated access to collections materials (originals and surrogates)
• Responds to research requests from the public and hosts visiting researchers
• Initiates and oversees accessions, deaccessions, and loans, including securing required paperwork
• Works with the Collections Committee of the Joint Board of Historic Newton to maintain and improve the archival collections
• Manages and carries out a limited number of interpretive projects, which may include publications, outdoor educational signs, small exhibits, etc. 
• Attends and participates in internal and external meetings as well as various special events.
• Maintains and updates Historic Newton’s emergency preparedness plan, working with outside departments (fire, police) as necessary; trains co-workers in use of the plan.
• Performs other related work as required or directed, or as situations dictate 

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience: 
M.L.I.S. with concentration in archives management or equivalent training required. Three (3) years of professional experience in an archives setting and two (2) years of supervisory experience required. An orientation toward public service and a belief that low-barrier access of collections is a public good.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge: Knowledge of best practices in archives management, including digital preservation, required. Working knowledge of American history required, New England history preferred. Grant writing and budgeting experience preferred.

Ability: 
Must be able to:
• manage multiple tasks in a detailed, accurate, and timely manner
• quickly acquire a working knowledge of Newton history and of the contents of the archival collections
• represent Historic Newton effectively to other City departments and to the public
• interact diplomatically and effectively with the public and with staff and board members 
• exercise a high degree of independent judgment; be a “self-starter”
• train, supervise, and evaluate interns and volunteers effectively
• communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• collaborate closely with community organizations and other stakeholders
• manage grants; prepare grants and other donation proposals as part of a team
• manage and use databases (experience with Past Perfect preferred)

Skill: 
Must have 
• strong organizational and record-keeping skills
• skills in archival processing and digitization
• experience using spreadsheets and databases to maintain accurate records (experience with Past Perfect preferred)
• excellent oral and written communication skills

Work Environment:
The work environment involves occasional exposure to dust and to pests.

The Curator of Manuscripts and Photographs 
• Is occasionally required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening or weekend meetings or events.
• Operates computers, printers, scanner, copier, and standard office equipment. 
• Has frequent contact with other staff and occasional contact with vendors/service providers.

Physical skills and effort:
Tasks require the ability to stand and walk, bend, lift and carry up to 40 pounds, and use stairs and ladders, often while carrying archival materials. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Tasks require good vision. Must have the ability to read cursive writing. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally in person and virtually or by telephone.

Performance Standard:
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

This is a part-time position for the City of Newton (19 hours / week), supplemented by pay from the non-profit Newton Historical Society, for a total of 22.5 hours per week.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change, subject to collective bargaining obligations, where applicable.)

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing [email protected].

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

This is a non-benefited position