CUNY’s Office of Library Services (OLS) seeks multiple highly motivated and detail-oriented individuals to serve as Associate Archivists (AAs) on the Cultivating Archives and Institutional Memory Project, funded by the Mellon Foundation. This is a part-time position, working up to 18 hours per week. The expected start date is September 2nd, lasting through the end of year with a possibility of an extension into 2025. The Project seeks to preserve and share the rich history of CUNY now and into the future by establishing a CUNY Central archive as well as a connected, discoverable network of archives and special collections across CUNY’s libraries and research centers and institutes.   

 

The AAs will assist the Outreach & Processing Archivist (OA) in conducting a CUNY-wide survey of archival collections and repositories; processing select collections for fast-track use by researchers; and developing outreach and discovery content, including public talks to increase access to collections. They will work in teams under the direct supervision of the OA, under the direction of the University Archivist, and in collaboration with archival workers at the CUNY campuses. Teams will be assigned to tasks and locations as needed to achieve project deliverables.  

 

Application period closes on July 17th with online interviews the week of July 22nd. The project team hopes to make hiring decisions by July 31st. Applications only accepted through the Research Foundation website (do not apply by email): https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=VA-2406-006311 

 

Duties

• Working in a small team to survey archival materials across all CUNY campuses. 
• Archival processing for selected collections working on-site at a CUNY campus or at a shared processing office 
• Writing finding aids in ArchivesSpace, following processing guidelines and descriptive standards 
• Developing outreach content and opportunities for public discovery and access for collections they process, which may include 
  • Social media posts for CUNY social channels 
  • Wikipedia articles (or edits to existing articles) and Wikidata entity records 
  • Digitizing and uploading content to JSTOR Forum  
  • Public talks at professional and academic convenings 
  • Articles in professional magazines and newsletters 

 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Must be enrolled in CUNY Queens College’s Graduate School for Library and Information Studies (GSLIS) or have graduated from GSLIS within the past two years (Spring 2022 or more recent). Current students or recent graduates of the GSLIS Archives Certificate program preferred. 
• Coursework or professional experience in archives 
• Must be eligible to work in the United States

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with archival processing, particularly using minimal processing techniques. Experience assessing and surveying collections a plus. 
• Basic understanding of archival preservation and conservation issues/concerns. 
• Basic understanding of archival description standards, such as DACS. 
• Experience with archival content management systems, such as ArchivesSpace, and/or willingness to learn ArchivesSpace. 
• Comfortable using spreadsheets. 
• Creative, team player willing to be flexible and try new things. 

 

Physical Requirements:  

• Some (but not all) work will require standing for long periods of time, lifting and carrying boxes up to 25 pounds, and working in tight spaces. Candidates with physical limitations can be accommodated and should not be discouraged from applying. 
• Ability to travel to CUNY’s 30+ survey sites across New York City strongly preferred. 
• Must be available to work in-person at CUNY campuses as assigned. Remote work is not available given the hands-on nature of the work.  
• Schedule and worksite(s) to be determined based on project needs and candidate availability. In general, survey work will be Mondays-Wednesdays; processing work will be Thursdays and Fridays 

 

This position is eligible for the following benefits: 

• Statutory Benefits: Federal, state, and city mandated benefits for all employees regardless of employment status are referred to as statutory benefits. Statutory benefits are workers' compensation, social security, short-term disability, and unemployment insurance. 
• Sick Leave: All RFCUNY employees are eligible to accrue sick leave and apply sick leave accruals towards a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; to obtain a medical diagnosis, care or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition; or to obtain preventative care.   
• Professional development funds available when representing the project in public and professional settings 

Apply online here

Submit specified application materials to natalie.milbrodt@cuny.edu.