Archivist - The Trustees of Reservations

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary/Hourly Rate: $55,000 - $60,000 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-Time 

Job Type: Onsite 

Location: Archives and Research Center, Sharon, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

Your Impact: 

As the Archivist, you will help build special collections and archives of high quality and expand the reach and the impact of these collections for local, national, and international audiences. You will play an active, hands-on role in a fast-paced and service- oriented environment.      

The Role: 

As the Archivist, you will protect and share the organizations historic, stewardship, and institutional archival collections providing industry-standard care for our physical collections, as well as properly manage our expanding digital resources at the Archives & Research Center (ARC).  The Archivist Reports to the Director of Historic Collections and will work closely with the Digital Archivist and Collection Manager, as well as project hires, interns, and volunteers. As a member of the state-wide Stewardship team, you will collaborate across the organization with all departments. In addition to internal collaboration, you will provide in-person and virtual reference services to our members, visitors, scholars, and researchers.  

Specifically, you’ll: 

Collecting, processing, organizing, preserving archival collections 

• Follow best practice standards and methods to maintain the physical archival collections. This may include but is not limited to inventorying, rehousing, sorting, arranging, and describing archival materials, both analog and digital.  

• Collaborate with the Digital Archivist and Collection Manager on maintaining and updating archives and records management policies, including record retention schedules and procedures.  

• Create accurate archival accession records as well as preliminary surveys and preservation assessments of incoming collections.  

• Create archival collection records in our collections management system, Qi, and edits and/or enhances existing records to include folder or object details and contextual research.   

• Document archival collection administration in Qi and tracks other collection activities.   

• Work with colleagues across The Trustees to review and collect archival materials. Assess or provide guidance in the evaluation of potential internal and external acquisitions.  

• Assist with the development of grant ideas and preparing applications for projects to support archival collection processing, conservation work, and other archives initiatives.   

Provide reference services 

• Provide in-person and virtual reference services to our members, visitors, scholars, and researchers.  

• Schedule appointments for in-person visits to the Archives & Research Center.  

• Request pull lists and have archival materials ready prior to visits.  

• Instruct all visitors to ARC on best practices while using archival collections.  

• Monitor visitors to ARC while they are using archival materials.  

• Reshelve archival materials after use. 

Hybrid collection management 

• Work with the Digital Archivist and Collection Manager to appraise, process, and describe hybrid collections, ensuring that the digital and physical materials are consistently arranged and documented, and that local standards and archival best practices are followed.  

• Work with the Digital Archivist and Collection Manager to make these collections accessible through the maintenance of collection and preservation management systems, finding aids, and other tools facilitating discovery of and access to the holdings of the archives and library.  

• Provide public and internal reference services to a wide variety of users 

This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) reporting directly to the Director of Historic Collections.  

Requirements

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• A graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution.  

• Four years of successful and increasingly responsible professional experience in archives and/or libraries.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of trends, principles, and practices in archives and special collections.  

• Demonstrated skills in problem-solving, strategic analysis, and planning.  

• Ability to provide leadership and vision for special collections, archives, and scholarship.  

• Proven ability to train and manage interns and/or volunteers.  

• Informed knowledge of ethical, legal, and technical matters related to accessioning, deaccessioning, loans, and inventories.  

• Demonstrated ability to work well with a team of diverse professionals to produce a high-quality outcome on time.  

• Strength in oral and written communications and the management of multiple tasks.  

• Familiarity with collections management systems and digital preservation is preferred.    

• Professional experience in museum settings and/or land conservation organizations is a plus. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Demonstrated attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.    

• Ability to multitask, work well under pressure, and meet demanding deadlines.   

• Some travel to Trustees properties is required. Valid driver’s license is required.  

• Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Office tools (esp. Word, Excel, SharePoint).   

• Self-directed; ability to take initiative and be a leader.   

• Team player with a positive attitude that supports departmental and institutional goals.  

• Has the ability to be flexible, tolerate ambiguity, adapt to change, and successfully work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  

• Ability to lift 40 pounds 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.  

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org 

Benefits

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 80 hours   

• Vacation time: 15 days per year  

• Early release time: 36 hours per year  

• Floating holidays/personal days: 15 Floating Holidays (13 observed holidays; 2 floating)  

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance  

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave  

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property  

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.