Associate Archivist

Associate Archivist

Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research

Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research seeks a collaborative and creative Associate Archivist to join the Archives Team. Reporting to the Head Archivist, the Associate Archivist will engage in a variety of activities centered on sustainability and access of analog and digital archival collections. The successful candidate is committed to pursuing best practices and innovative ideas for the accessioning, arrangement, description, and preservation of materials in all formats, including a substantial holding of architectural drawings. This position plays a crucial role in safeguarding the enduring institutional heritage of Cranbrook Educational Community.

Cranbrook Archives is the primary research center for the documentation and study of Cranbrook Educational Community, comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, Center for Collections and Research, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools. Archival holdings range from the papers of Cranbrook’s founding family to the ongoing records of each institution and include affiliated cultural organizational records and individual artist archives. Work with the collections is guided by both the user needs of the Community and scholarly researchers

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Accession, arrange, describe, and preserve analog, born-digital, and hybrid collections according to professional archival standards.
• Assist with the administration of collections management, digital asset management, and digital preservation systems, ensuring appropriate organization, security, integrity, and continued accessibility of collections.
• Contribute to the development of workflows for processing and storage of the Archives’ collections.
• Lead the creation, revision, and maintenance of descriptive practices associated with finding aids and digital object metadata, staying abreast of current best practices.
• Implement and maintain digital preservation tools related to accessioning, processing, email, and web archiving.
• Support Archives staff and patrons in navigation of the digital records environment, advising on processing and searching digital collections.
• Assist with research services, training and supervision of archival volunteers and student interns, and day-to-day operations.
• Assist Center staff with the development of public programming and social media outreach related to Cranbrook’s archival and manuscript holdings.
• Maintain attendance, punctuality, and performance standards set forth in Cranbrook’s employee handbook.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited institution
• Two years of processing experience at an archives or special collections
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival practices and methodology, including collection management, digital asset management, and digital preservation systems
• Knowledge of strategies and professional standards for ingest, management, preservation, and discovery of born-digital archival material
• Fundamental understanding of descriptive standards, digital file parameters, and intellectual property best practices as applied to cultural heritage institutions
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills
• Proven ability to set, track, and meet goals and deadlines
• A valid Michigan driver’s license with satisfactory driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience applying standards and best practices to digital surrogates and born digital records
• Experience with ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, Preservica, and Archive-It
• Understanding of cloud-based content management systems such as Microsoft SharePoint

Cranbrook offers competitive compensation and benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement programs with employer contribution. We also offer generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employee discounts, and a unique environment in an educational setting that values collaboration.

For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter and a writing sample. Your application will be considered incomplete without these materials. Please be sure these documents are uploaded at the same time your application is submitted.

Please click here to apply: Associate Archivist | Cranbrook Employment Opportunities