Anchorage Museum Community Outreach Archivist

The Anchorage Museum sits on the traditional homeland of the Eklutna Dena'ina. The Museum is committed to recognizing and honoring the land, culture, and language of the Dena'ina people. We recognize and respect the continuing connection, by Alaska Native people and all Indigenous people, to the land, waters, and communities.

Our mission is to be a museum for people, place, planet, and potential, in service of a sustainable and equitable North, with creativity and imagination for what is possible. We are a place of ideas and transformation, narratives and perspectives, resilient and relevant communities, responsive to a rapidly changing world toward a better future for all.

We welcome diverse perspectives and recognize all are enriched when a diversity of voices, viewpoints, and skills are included and engaged in the work we do.

Summary Position Statement

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Collections & Conservation, this position will work across the Museum and into communities to advance engagement and collections access through human-centered research, digital assets, and resources in the Museum's archives and library. This position is intended to be broad and in service of the museum's public mission, which includes a focus on inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility and social action.

Essential Functions

• Work as part of a team to expand access to and use of the Atwood Resource Center (archives and library) for traditional and non-traditional researchers
• Intentionally and regularly revisit assumptions, approaches, and practice to promote a more equitable and inclusive practice
• Lead engagement around new media, social action, diversity and inclusion so that the Anchorage Museum is positioned for the future
• Explore innovative approaches to archival and published resources access
• Increase outreach to underserved and expanded communities through partnership, collaboration, and programming
• Identify and promote marginal or absent voices through perspective and diversity
• Provide reference assistance and instruction to researchers, artists, and members of the general public
• Participate in, propose, and support social media initiatives
• Maintain national standards for archives and libraries, while forming new pathways to broaden the impact of access
• Develop subject guides that support non-traditional research and current issues
• Participate in realizing goals for archives identified within the Collecting Plan
• Identify, seek, and write grants to support the programmatic and archival outreach work
• Work within budgets

Non-Essential Functions

• Implement Resource Center policies and procedures as needed
• Train and supervise volunteers and interns as needed
• Coordination of interns, fellows and guest curators
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of professional photograph and archives management procedures and standards
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in innovative delivery of library and archive services
• Knowledge of reparative language work in archives and library
• Knowledge of image digitization for preservation and access
• Knowledge of rights and reproduction standards
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse cultures, populations and backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to promote an inclusive climate
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to work professionally and collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a team-oriented environment
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment while also organizing time efficiently to meet deadlines
• Have the initiative to undertake and complete tasks and projects as they arise, to promote engagement, cross-culture information exchange, and diversity
• Strong positive, customer-service attitude internally and externally
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well with the public and a variety of museum stakeholders

Qualifications

While a Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program in library and information science is preferred, we remain open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets.

We recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description, we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Recognizing that we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Employee Expectations

As a Museum employee, the incumbent is expected to model the following traits:

• Foster and maintain open communication and collaboration
• Actively engage in the exchange of ideas and maintain constructive relationships
• Engage with the public and internal/external stakeholders as collaborators
• Initiative and creativity in all aspects of the position
• Lead by example in maintaining a high standard of professional ethics and conduct
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect
• Support and uphold the policies, procedures of the Museum

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.