ARCHIVIST

The Position

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of ARCHIVIST to fill one (1) vacancy in the Museum of Riverside. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.

Under general supervision, an Archivist will perform a variety of professional archival work; to supervise the daily operations of the Museum Department’s archival collections; to provide assistance to technical staff and the public in maximizing the use of specialized historic resources; oversee the care, maintenance, organization, preservation, digitization, and documentation of archival collections; and to perform other related duties as required.

The Museum of Riverside was established in 1924 and has a proud history of collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting the history, culture, and natural history of Riverside and its environs. The Museum is the steward for the National Register-listed downtown site (construction soon to begin in a rehabilitation and expansion), the National Register-listed Heritage House, and the National Historic Landmark Harada House. The Museum’s collections number hundreds of thousands of artifacts, specimens, and archival items. Significant categories of archival items include the Harada Family Archives and the Mission Inn/Frank Miller Hutchings Collection.

The successful candidate for the position of Archivist will be an experienced professional. The candidate will possess a distinguished record of achievement, a commitment to scholarly integrity, creative interpretive skills, a commitment to public access to historic resources, and an engaging manner with the public. The Museum’s archival collections are used regularly in exhibitions and programs, including digital programs, and public demand for these resources is high. The Archivist must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously within a work environment that will be in flux until the rehabilitated and expanded downtown site reopens. The successful candidate will be an analytical thinker and have a strong work ethic, sense of humor, can-do attitude, and the desire to be part of the team who will bring about momentous change for the institution. Collection care and management experience will be important.

The Museum of Riverside’s areas of disciplinary expertise include Riverside area history, Indigenous resources, culture, and natural history. The Archivist will plan and execute a vision for the archival collections that enhances their use in public programming while improving their documentation and storage conditions. The Archivist will work with the Museum Director, curatorial colleagues, all other Museum staff, and the community to steward the archival resources. The Archivist may also assist with the Museum's ongoing effort to seek and administer grants and private donations, and support execution of the Museum’s major events. The Museum participates in formal and informal collaborative relationships with other cultural organizations, and the Archivist may interact with these groups in support of collaborative programs.

Work Performed

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan, schedule, supervise, and participate fully in the day-to-day operations of a small sized work unit, participate in the development of work plans and goals; develop and administer section budget relating to the archives function; make recommendations for future budget needs.
• Conducts acquisition activities in collaboration with donors and curators to identify, assess, process, and store physical and born-digital materials.
• Monitor physical conditions for the storage and use of archival collections and make recommendations for improvements in the preservation environment.
• Participate in the process of recruiting Museum Assistants, interns, and volunteers; schedule, assign, train, review, and correct the work of Museum Assistants, Collection Assistants, interns, and volunteers working in support of the archival collections.
• Perform a variety of professional tasks in a specialized function such as local history research, archival request processing, object preservation, exhibition development, and implementation of public programs.Develop special projects, programs, and services for the general public and researchers.Work with education staff to provide services to local schools. Collaborate with curators and other Museum staff to serve local community organizations.
• Work with Curatorial Services Manager, Collections Registrar, and other Museum staff to develop archives-related budgets, monitor fund availability, select and requisition archival supplies, and receive and inventory archival supplies. When relevant to archives function, work with Museum Director and Institutional Advancement Coordinator to research and prepare materials for grant applications on a local, state, or national level.
• Enhance collection by searching for information concerning accessions and deaccessions; perform other inventory maintenance tasks as needed.
• Provide necessary maintenance, preservation, restoration, and collection records of specialized materials. Actively add to the Museum’s collection database.
• Make decisions on the disposition of outdated materials within assigned subject area, following established policies and procedures for deaccession and disposal, as required.
• Develop plans for digitization and file-sharing, and implement these plans when adopted.
• Develop, implement, and conduct a variety of collection related educational programs and activities, including tours and instructional classes in area of specialty.
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of workshops and training for staff development.
• Work with the Collections Registrar and Curatorial Services Manager to prepare finding aids and special indexes for the archival collections; work with the Curatorial Services Manager and other curatorial staff to develop, plan, and install exhibitions; process existing and incoming archival materials using best practices and current national standards, describe collections, and create finding aids and related records in the Museum's collections management system.
• Upload completed finding aids to online public access catalogs.
• Collaborate with the curatorial team to identify archival materials that are candidates for digitization.
• Respond to difficult or technical reference and information questions assisting and instructing inquirers in making effective use of the collection.
• Direct and participate in the maintenance of various files and records; prepare regular and special statistical and narrative reports.
• Stay abreast of professional developments relating to archives management.

Qualifications

Recruitment Guidelines:

Education: Master's degree from an ALA-accredited Library & Information Science program with a concentration in archives, OR equivalent professional degree in Archival Studies, OR accredited graduate degree (Master's or Ph.D) with a specialization in archival management.

Experience: Two years of professional experience in the collection, preservation, interpretation and presentation of physical and/or digital archival materials for Museum exhibitions, provision of access to original source archives, collections databases, and physical and digital organization of archival materials.

Necessary Special Requirement:
Possession of an appropriate, valid class “C” California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in developing archives documentation systems and/or archives storage solutions
• Experience with large-scale digitization projects
• Experience in creating and/or executing engaging public interpretation
• Experience with collection management relational databases, TMS Collections in particular
• Proficiency in computer programs such as the Microsoft Office Suite and collections management software
• Knowledge of Riverside-area history

Selection Process

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
3) Resume and Cover Letter

PLEASE NOTE: FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.

NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:
An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at http://www.naces.org/members.html or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/ .An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - General Unit

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,537 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $45 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $25 a month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the SEIU MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• State Disability Insurance - Automatic coverage administered by the Employee Development Department (EDD) of the State of California
• Vacation Accrual - 0-4 yrs. = 80hrs, 5-9 yrs. = 120hrs, 10+ yrs. = 160 hrs.

• For other special compensation, refer to the SEIU MOU .

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website: https://www.riversideca.gov/human/employee-hub/benefits/about-1

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.

Closing Date/Time: 4/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Riverside

• 951-826-2392

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