Application review will begin immediately.  The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time.  It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

To apply, visit - State of Washington Job Opportunities | Work that Matters (governmentjobs.com)

Schedule:  Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 5pm with some flexibility available.  These positions are not eligible for a telework schedule.  Some travel may be required to attend professional meetings and conferences.

What you will do:
You will support the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) by caring for its collection of special collections materials, utilizing best practices in the museum and archive field.  You will maintain and preserve the special collections material, which include researching materials, processing, digitization, and cataloging, reshelving, creation of finding aids, archival housing and storage. You’ll provide special collections materials to support the activities of all departments within the Society through reports, digitized materials, pulling and reshelving materials.  In addition, you may assist with research access for WSHS staff and the public.
 
A little about us:
Founded in 1891 and now into its second century of service, the Washington State Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington's diverse and storied history. Our work illuminates the past, enlightens the present, and informs the future.
   
Our mission is to partner with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Our vision is to be the recognized destination for Washington State history. We achieve this by serving as our state's primary history educator, making history relevant to our modern lives, and supporting civic dialogue where all are welcome.
   
The Society serves individuals and organizations statewide through publications, outreach programs, curriculum, free virtual public programs, and other online services. However, the majority of the Society's interactions with the public occur at the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma, Washington. The Museum traditionally serves more than 80,000 annually, including more than 15,000 K-12 school children visiting the museum on a field trip.  We also welcome more than 10,000 visitors free of charge each year through a variety of access programs.
   
We are much more than a regional museum. We continually ask ourselves how we can better serve Washingtonians across our state. Our Heritage Capital Projects grant program distributes up to $10M per biennium to fund public access to history through museum facilities and historic preservation projects across the state.  Our popular public history magazine COLUMBIA is enjoyed by readers of all ages. And the Historical Society’s collections at our Research Center, along with a digital collections database, are a resource to scholars and researchers from across the nation.
   
The Washington State Historical Society is a dynamic place to work with a dedicated staff. We expand our impact by connecting with communities across the Evergreen State through exhibitions, heritage projects, workshops, public programs, publications, and conversations. Our goal is to bring history into focus in such a way that the participant cannot help but discover valuable insights from and feel deep connections with the people and events of the past.
 
We have an active commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and are looking for team members who have a passion for professionalism and serving the public, and a desire to contribute to a positive work culture.  

Some of what you’ll enjoy doing includes:

• Analyzes and arranges bodies of records (some of which are disorganized) demonstrating knowledge of archival theory and practice in planning and carrying out organization and description. 
• Possesses understanding of scholarly research and documentation practices, and uses basic knowledge of archival theory and practice to conduct scholarly research to process and describe archival collections.
• Completes preliminary analysis of the documentation systems and practices of the originating agency, organization, or individual whose materials are being processed. 
• Undertakes research in published sources to complete gaps in the available information relating to the subject matter of the records to be archived. 
• Evaluates the significance of archival material in its historical context and applies evaluation in helping create a plan of arrangement and description. 
• Exercises initiative requiring knowledge of archival procedures and academic subject matter.
• Catalogs materials utilizing policies and procedures set forth by the department, demonstrating knowledge of archival theory, practice, and metadata standards. 
• Completes digitization following digitization guidelines and provides access to the public via the collections information system.  
• Possesses understanding of the creation of finding aids to access the collections. 
• Creates complete, detailed finding aids. 
• Pull and reshelf materials requested from WSHS staff. 
• Provides collections care and management with current preservation techniques for archival materials, including basic archival principles of handling, storage, pulling materials, reshelving materials, access, and pest management.     
• Provides reports regarding archival collections projects and activities to the Head of Collections when requested. 
• May provide access to the public through research visits.  
• May manage researchers in the Research Center building by providing security and monitoring of researcher use of collections material.     

REQUIRED:
Master’s degree in library sciences
 
OR 
 
Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 quarter hours of library science 
AND
Two (2) years of experience as a librarian in a museum, academic or historical library/archive
 
OR 

An accredited associates degree
AND 
Four (4) years of experience in a museum, academic or historical library/archive
 
OR
Six (6) years of experience in a museum, academic or historical library/archive
 
AND

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex information, both verbally and in writing, to a wide public audience
• Demonstrated ability to manage time, prioritize tasks and adjust to daily work load demands under direct supervision
• Knowledge of archival arrangement and cataloging standards and best practices.
• Ability to learn and use CIS software
• Ability to honor diversity, equity, and inclusion and commit to supporting a respectful, safe and supportive work environment
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with other agency departments and personnel
• Familiarity with registration and collections management best practices, including accessioning, de-accessioning, cataloging, exhibitions, loans, and location and inventory control
• Knowledge of environmental requirements for collection preservation
• Excellent organizational skills, detail oriented, self-motivated, with ability to handle multiple projects 
• Ability to work in cooperation with other organizations, staff, volunteers, donors and to conduct research and work independently on a variety of projects

 
PREFERRED:

• Demonstrated knowledge of historical resources both inside and outside the agency's collections
• Knowledge of Washington State history

Please provide the following documents to be considered:

• Letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting. 
• Current resume, detailing experience, and education; and 
• Current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.  A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section or supplemental questions of the application.  Please do not “refer to resume” for detail, or your application may be disqualified. 
 
Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Conditions of Employment: 

• Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Washington State Historical Society, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:
The Washington State Historical Society celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
 
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.  

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email jobs@des.wa.gov.
 
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.