Project Archivist Position Announcement
Position: Project Archivist
Reports to: Collections Curator
Status: Temporary, contractual, approximately 8-10 months, 20-30 hours/week
Salary: $27/hour up to 840 hours; no benefits
Start Date: Desired start date October 1, 2022
About Roger Tory Peterson
Roger Tory Peterson’s signature contribution to the arc of the American Conservation Movement was the modern field guide. Trained as an artist, Peterson understood the power of art to inform, inspire and illuminate people about the natural world. His illustrated field guides allowed for easy, accurate identification in the field. The experience of using the field guide has helped millions of people across the globe really see the natural world. To be inspired by it. To fall in love with it. Throughout his multifaceted career, Peterson helped us to see the challenges, too – the devastating impacts of pesticides, habitat loss and other environmental ills. He also demonstrated that each and every one of us can make a difference in protecting the earth’s diversity of plants and animals.
About the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s work, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute is a leader for the study, exhibition and nurturing of art that matters to the planet. Through world class exhibitions and programs, RTPI illuminates the beauty of nature; challenges us to confront environmental issues of regional, national and global concern; and inspires us to preserve the earth’s biodiversity – with a particular emphasis on the natural area wonders of Western New York. For more information, please visit our website: RTPI.ORG.
About the Project Archivist Position
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is seeking a Project Archivist to describe and create finding aids for the RTPI Special Collections and Archives. In 1984, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History was founded in Dr. Peterson’s hometown of Jamestown as an educational institution charged with preserving Peterson’s lifetime body of work and making it available to the world for educational purposes.
The RTPI collection represents unique and valuable materials from Dr. Peterson’s life and body of work, including original illustrations for his Field Guides. The Institute is the only organization that serves as a steward of Dr. Peterson’s legacy by collecting, exhibiting, and making accessible to the public his original art, manuscripts, slides, film, correspondence, and his personal collection of reference materials.
The Special Collections and Archives consists of items which relate to and expand on RTPI’s Fine Art Collection. Items in the Special Collections and Archives include reference materials such as films, slides, and photographs; rare books, manuscripts, personal papers, and memorabilia; photography and film equipment, clothing, and personal effects; and study skins.
Core Responsibilities
- Describe the archival collections of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in accordance with accepted standards and practices.
- Create finding aids which conform to archival standards and are consistent with archival best practices and are accessible to remote researchers.
- Complete inventory of the archival collections.
- With RTPI staff, determine which archival collections are most important and expected to be most heavily used by researchers.
- Provide expertise and input on a digitization plan for archives.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of archival experience desired
- A. or advanced degree in library science and/or related field
- Knowledge of best practices and archival standards
- Experience in archival digitization technologies and digital asset management
Physical Demands
- The duties of this job include sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and lifting or moving objects up to 20 pounds.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Opportunity
RTPI is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RTPI are based on organization needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by laws or regulations. RTPI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
How to Apply
Please email resume and cover letter to: Newhire@rtpi.org and include “Project Archivist” in the subject line.
Only those applicants we feel are strong potential fits will be contacted. Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we will not be able to respond to phone calls or emails.