Hybrid Archivist, Surratt House Museum bei The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, MD

About the Department

About Surratt House Museum

The Surratt House Museum was founded almost fifty years ago as a site dedicated to fostering an appreciation for the history and culture of nineteenth-century Prince George’s County, Maryland, with particular emphasis on the years of 1840 to 1865. It sought to interpret the web of conspiracy surrounding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, as well as the lives of those involved in the conspiracy including Mary Surratt and her son John Surratt, Jr.

Over the last several years, the Museum has moved beyond a traditional narrative into one that is more inclusive, diverse, and relevant through the development of impactful interpretation, programming, and exhibits. The site’s history as a place of enslavement is finally being acknowledged and interpreted as part of these efforts. The Museum engages in the history of the mid- to late-nineteenth century through an intersectional lens. The Surratt House Museum now places a special emphasis on the ways in which the assassination of President Lincoln impacted the legal and political application of Reconstruction, the development of prejudicial racial laws, the growth of political violence in response to calls for social justice, the rise and acceptance of the “Lost Cause” mythology, and the reclamation of history and national memory.

Mission

To ensure a most just future, the Surratt House Museum serves as a catalyst for civic dialogue and for deeper perceptions of the U.S. Civil War, Reconstruction era, and evolving fight for social justice.

The Surratt House Museum seeks a creative, forward-thinking archivist to assist in standardizing the museum’s archives. To date, the archives, totaling about 140 linear feet, have not been fully cataloged, leaving the museum at a disadvantage. The archivist holds primary responsibility for access to and the professional care, management, and maintenance of the archives. Along with the collections manager, the archivist refines, implements, and upholds the museum’s archival policies and procedures to establish proper documentation, organization, and storage methods.

This role is a key component of furthering the museum’s objectives to expand and diversify its interpretation, and to share authority with its communities. The archives, and the collections more broadly, are a so-far underutilized area in which these goals can be reached. The archivist will support broader museum efforts to align each program area with the museum’s mission, vision, and values, through the creation of inventories at various levels, guided by the museum’s custom archives manual. The intent is to realign the museum with best practices, fill in the gaps of the museum’s institutional history, and ensure the museum understands what it holds in public trust.

Position Duties

Key functions:

• Co-facilitates archives use requests by staff, researchers, and the broader public

  • Responsible for providing scans of images and documents as needed using appropriate tools and standards

  • Responsible for conducting research for patrons as needed

• Responsible for archival maintenance

  • Applies the museum’s archival processing manual to establish and maintain accurate and up-to-date inventories

  • Appraises, arranges, and describes archival collections according to both museum and field standards

  • Prioritizes processing backlog

  • Performs routine housekeeping and IPM related activities in archives spaces

  • Evaluates and coordinates the re-housing and stabilization of archives

  • Regularly updates records within the collections management system, CatalogIt

• With the collections manager, trains and co-facilitates archives fellows, interns, and volunteers

• Assists with marketing and communication strategies

• Other duties as needed

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience Qualifications:

• MA or MLIS in archives, library science, museum studies, or related field with formal training in archives management and preservation

• One to three years of archives experience, preferably in a museum setting

• Experience with database management

• Experience with environmental monitoring

• Supervisory experience

Abilities, Skills, and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of and experience in the archival principles, techniques, and procedures of accessioning, processing, arranging, and rehousing

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to work in both collaborative and independent settings

• Experience with metadata curation

• Computer skills in Microsoft

• Ability to walk, bend, and/or stand for extended periods of time, and lift 15 pounds

In addition to the above functions and qualifications, the successful candidate will also demonstrate adherence to the M-NCPPC Natural and Historic Resources Department’s (NHRD) core pillars of:

• Enhancing the Visitor Experience: Quality and Quantity

• Leaving a Legacy: Transforming Education into Advocacy

• Strengthening Inclusivity, Diversity, and Belonging

• Acting with Integrity, Respect, and Trust

Other Qualifications

To apply, submit your most recent resume or CV along with a document answering the following questions. Applications without both components will be automatically rejected.

1. What responsibility do you believe archives have when it comes to their communities?

2. The Surratt House Museum team has spent the last several years creating a site narrative that is more inclusive, diverse, and equitable in its representation through our organization’s four pillars. These are: Enhancing the Visitor Experience; Transforming Education into Advocacy; Strengthening Inclusivity, Diversity, and Belonging; and Acting with Integrity, Respect, and Trust. Share your own experience or ideas on how you would apply these pillars to the archives.

3. What is one of your most rewarding experiences in the museum or archives field? What was your most challenging experience, and what did you learn from it?

4. What do you hope to gain from this position, both personally and professionally?

Upon accepting a job offer, all candidates will be subject to or must provide a complete criminal background check including fingerprinting.

May be subject to medical, drug, and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.