Description

The Washington State Archives preserves and provides the people of Washington with easy access to millions of legal and historical records of our state and local governments. Washington's Digital Archives is the first of its kind in the nation and accessible worldwide via the web.

Citizens depend on the Archives to research genealogy, state and city history, property transfers, legislative intent, court records, and academic projects. Archives branches are on the Capital Campus in Olympia and college campuses around the state.

The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

This position supports the Archives mandate to make the archives of the State of Washington available for reference and scholarship, and to insure their proper preservation. The position reports to the Puget Sound Branch Archivist and is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of reference services, records processing and preservation, and monitoring access to archival materials.

Please note: Interviews for this position will be conducted on an ongoing basis. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at any time.

Duties

Archival Research
Tasks include:

• Independently provides reference services to public and government agency customers
  • Applies specialized knowledge of government records and Branch Archives collections to identify appropriate records for a wide range of research requests.
  • Explains archival collections to inexperienced researchers and translates their unfocused requests for information into the specific records they need
  • Consults manual and electronic collection catalogues to locate archival records
• Applies professional practices to protect fragile collections as they are moved from the stacks to the research room and returned to the stacks again
• Provides copies of archival documents to researchers
• Enters and copies research requests and orders information into the customer service database; creates filing system for paper and electronic files related to research requests and orders; sends appropriate documentation to fiscal staff
• Mentors lower-level staff, interns, student workers and volunteers on specialized subject matter research
• Prepares statistical reports to report to management and external agencies
• Monitors the research room for the security and physical protection of archival records, publications, and equipment
• Monitors researchers to be sure they are in compliance with collections use rules

Acquisitions, Processing and Records Management
Tasks include:

• Catalogs and processes records in the collection according to archival standards
• Educates and advises government agencies on the disposition of records, and the interpretation of records retention policies
• Works with colleagues to prioritize archival records transfers and processing
• Identifies high reference records for access reformatting projects to ensure proper preservation
• Participates in appraisal deliberations on the value of incoming records and current holdings
• Provides assistance in collection management including archival arrangement and description, records accessioning and storage, audits of holdings, and records disposition
• Monitors use of collection and identifies records requiring preservation
• Initiates and supervises indexing projects to enhance access to the collections

Outreach
Tasks include:

• Creates and coordinates special projects or initiatives which publicize the role and the holdings of the State Archives
• Conducts tours of the facility
• Assists in workshops preparations and presentations
• Participates in genealogical gatherings and local events
• Seeks out and speaks at allied professional and target audience functions.

Professional Responsibility and Other Duties as Required
Tasks include:

• Assists with the workflow and assignments for students, interns and/or volunteers
• Stays current on emerging issues in the fields of archives and records management through the review of professional journals, books, studies, and reports
• Participates in professional archival and records management organizations which may include the creation and presentation of papers as well as voluntary work and holding elected positions
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 
  Master's degree involving archives and records management, history or related field
• One year of experience as a professional archivist
• Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with archives and records management systems, analog-to-digital conversion and asset management, accessioning, arrangement and description, and the dispositioning of records
• Knowledge of pacific northwest history and governmental organizations
• Experience working independently, establishing work priorities and adapting to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities

Supplemental Information