Archives Assistant - Temporary, Part-Time

Museum of Science, Boston

www.mos.org

Innovation and creativity come from the unique perspectives of a diverse staff. We value your perspective.

Who We Are

As science and technology increasingly shape our lives, the Museum of Science strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good while keeping up with the pace of change.   Among the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, we engage nearly five million people a year – at Science Park and in museums around the world, in classrooms, and online.

The Museum’s singular location connecting Boston and Cambridge puts us at the junction of some of the world’s most influential academic institutions and industries, local and state government, schools, and the public. Trusted by each sector, we are ideally positioned to convene, inspire, and create meaningful experiences for all. Come join us on our mission to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone and living our vision for a world where science belongs to each of us for the good of all of us.

Why We Need You

Join the Archives team and support the Archives department and Museum’s history, spanning nearly 200 years! You will be responsible for aiding the daily operations of the Archives through independent and collaborative work with the Senior Archivist and other staff members. The Archives Assistant will help to make archival materials more accessible to internal stakeholders and the public via onsite and digital offerings.

This is a part-time temporary position, with some onsite hours required.  The expectation is that this temporary role will last until June 2026.  We are looking for someone to work 21 hours per week.

What You’ll Accomplish

• Process archival materials by inventorying, rehousing, conducting descriptive cataloging, writing finding aids, and ingesting data into the catalog.
• Research records, events, and figures to enrich Museum history and metadata.
• Digitize records by scanning or photographing and creating their metadata for ingestion into the Museum’s digital asset management system.
• Assist reference inquiries from staff and the public through phone, email, onsite appointments, and web inquiry.
• Aid the management of storage spaces by monitoring their environmental conditions, security, and pest management needs.
• Support the daily operations and needs of the Archives.

What We’re Looking For (Competencies)

• Commitment to Excellence and Integrity: Shares in success and improvements that are needed within the department. Hold high ethical standards and show accountability and high standard for quality. Protects resources and ensures efficiency and impact.
• Collaboration and Community: Fosters generous teamwork and partnership to solve problems. Builds trust and positive relationships within and outside the organization. Encourages shared decision-making and generously empowers others.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Navigates challenges with professionalism and composure. Views change as an opportunity for growth and advancement. Encourages a growth mindset and generous belief in possibilities. Performs under pressure and supports others generously through transitions.
• Creativity and Innovation: Generates and implements innovative ideas while adapting to change. Embraces curiosity, generous learning, and diverse perspectives. Takes calculated risks and learns from failures. Thinks strategically to anticipate future trends and solutions.

Job-Specific Requirements

• Graduate of an archives or library science program or 3 years of experience in an archives.
• Experience handling multiple types and formats of archival materials.
• Knowledge of field standards and metadata schemas such as DACS, LCSH, and Dublin Core.
• Familiarity with archival software such as ArchivesSpace and digital asset management systems such as Aquia DAM.
• Experience digitizing records with a high-resolution scanner and DSLR camera.
• Onsite work requires frequent exposure to dust, ascending and descending stairs, and moderate physical activity (lifting up to 50 lbs. and pushing a cart up to 200 lbs.)

How We Work-Our Values

Everyone: We are everyone’s museum.  We pursue equity and celebrate every person for who they are.  We foster an inclusive environment in which we value and respect diversity.

Service: We serve our colleagues and community.  We hold ourselves accountable to be a trustworthy public resource, and to support a sustainable, just and evidence-based future.

Learning: We love learning.  We are curious about the world and want to share our joy and wonder with others.  We value open minds and recognize that everyone has more to explore, discover and create.

Connection: We find strength in connections.  We collaborate across communities, organizations and disciplines to make science relevant and accessible to all.

Boldness: We dream big.  We boldly push ourselves forward, pursuing new ideas and challenges.  We experiment and learn from our failures as we seek to inspire purpose, spark imagination and encourage hope.