Archivist- Part-time

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and education, working to save and plant trees. At the Arboretum, the Sterling Morton Library plays a critical role in capturing and sharing knowledge and information to advance the Arboretum's mission and research. Our archival collections include a host of resources including original manuscript materials, artifacts, audiovisual materials, maps, plans, and photographic images. Working with Arboretum colleagues and volunteers, the Archivist builds, stewards, and increases engagement with our digital and analog collections and resources. The successful candidate will have a passion for capturing and sharing stories, increasing access to collections, partnering with colleagues, and working in a collaborative environment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone keenly interested in creating a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.

Position Summary: Responsible for managing and preserving The Morton Arboretum’s historical records, documents, and digital assets. This role acquires, arranges, describes, preserves, and provides access to archival materials that support the Arboretum’s mission. Collaborate with various departments to ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of institutional knowledge.

Essential Functions:

• Acquire, organize, arrange, inventory, and process materials, ensuring they are preserved in accordance with professional standards. Contribute to initiatives related to digitization, access, and other efforts to preserve and share the collections of the Sterling Morton Library.

• Provide reference services to staff, researchers, and the public, facilitating access to archival materials and library collections. Engage with a variety of audiences to understand their archive-related information needs; work with Library staff to evaluate and deploy solutions that meet those needs.

• Research, evaluate, and offer recommendations to Arboretum staff on best practices regarding archival and document management. Facilitate the acquisition and organization of these materials for preservation and use.

• Establish and implement archival and record retention policies and procedures to ensure consistent practices across the institution.

• Create training materials and other resources to share archival and document management best practices with Arboretum staff.

• Develop and promote the use of archival materials through exhibits, publications, and programs. 

• Coordinate, train, and supervise volunteers and interns working with archives.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library Science required. 1+ years experience preferred. Experience with archival practice preferably with a focus on processing. Knowledge of digital asset management including the ingest, organization, storage, and retrieval of digital collections required. Knowledge of archives principles and practices in both digital and analog formats required. Knowledge of current and emerging metadata and cataloging standards and relevant controlled vocabularies required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications strongly preferred.

Success Factors: Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to facilitate and initiate collaboration. Ability to multitask and prioritize. Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully, and patiently with diverse library users, staff, volunteers, and patrons. Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing environment. Interest and knowledge of trees, horticulture, or natural history are a plus. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 30 lbs.), climbing a step ladder.

• Work Environment: Work is primarily performed indoors in an office setting. 

• Equipment: General office equipment, digital camera, scanner, step ladder.

• Schedule: Work schedule will include a regular Saturday rotation.

The hiring rate for this position is $29.00 -$33.00/hour. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.     

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer- disability/veteran. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment