Museum Vision and Mission:

MOHAI is treasured locally and respected nationally as a vibrant resource where history inspires us to build a better future. To serve our region, we bridge the past, present, and future by collecting, preserving, and sharing stories through compelling, innovative exhibits and community engagement. 

Position Title:                  Temporary Oral History Specialist

Reports to:                       Library Collections Manager

Location:                           MOHAI McQuaid Resource Center at Georgetown

Classification:                 Temporary; Non-exempt; Part-time; Hourly

Schedule:                          Weekdays, approx. 15 hours per week

Rate of Pay:                      $22-$23 per hour

Benefits:                            Paid Sick and Safe Time in accordance with the City of Seattle ordinance

Employment Period:    June - October 2024 (exact start date flexible – maximum 250 hours total)

Position Description:

The Temporary Oral History Specialist will participate in a maximum 250-hour 4Culture-funded project to transcribe 35 digitized oral histories and will create a procedure to be used during this project and for future transcripts. The selection of oral histories to be transcribed will prioritize those from identities historically marginalized in the historic narrative. The procedure includes identifying a text-to-audio AI tool to generate rough drafts and updating MOHAI’s oral history transcript editorial guide. This position reports to the Library Collections Manager and is a member of the Collections Resources department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Select oral histories for transcription, with support from the Library Collections Manager, based on institutional priorities for elevating stories of those previously marginalized and founded in community evaluation feedback.
• Identify a low or no-cost audio-to-text AI tool to generate rough drafts of transcripts.
• Update MOHAI’s editorial guide for oral history transcripts and apply these guidelines to create 35 final transcripts.
• Refine and document the procedures for creating transcripts so that staff working with future volunteers can replicate and generate more transcripts.
• Ensure that all interactions are culturally responsive, respectful, and based on a foundation of MOHAI’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent museum or oral history collection work experience. Position may be suitable for current information sciences student nearing graduation or recent graduate; however, candidate must have required skills, as position is not an internship.
• Previous experience with creating transcripts for oral histories required; experience with or knowledge of current best practices in oral histories preferred.
• Experience working with oral histories or archival collections documenting the stories of historically marginalized communities preferred.
• Experience working with audio-to-text AI preferred.
• Previous process documentation and/or editorial experience required.
• Experience working collaboratively with colleagues.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Enthusiasm for MOHAI’s exhibits, collections, programs, and mission.

Find yourself checking many of these boxes but doubting whether you should apply? If you meet some of the requirements and you share MOHAI's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply. As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we’re invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Museum Overview:

For 70 years, MOHAI has been dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, sharing, and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region, and the nation. With a collection of nearly 4 million artifacts, photographs, oral histories and archival items, and an expansive schedule of exhibits and programs, MOHAI is the region’s premier history center. MOHAI operates a dramatic and award-winning museum in Seattle’s vibrant South Lake Union neighborhood and a resource center in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. MOHAI also hosts the Bezos Center for Innovation, focusing on the history and future of innovation in the Puget Sound region. MOHAI is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and has been selected by USA Today as one of the Top Ten History Museums in the nation. For more information, please visit mohai.org.

To Apply:

Please e-mail letter of interest and resume to Human.Resources@mohai.org. No phone calls, please.

MOHAI is a 501(c)(3) organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a team and an organizational culture that fosters inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We encourage candidates of color to apply.