Archivist and Curator Tybee Island Historical Society (TIHS)

 

Reports to: Executive Director and Director of Operations

Position: Staff (Hourly; part-time) $23

Schedule: flexible 32-hour week including occasional weekends and evenings

 

This is an exciting opportunity to help create an archival resource for Tybee Island as well as use creative skills to design new exhibits for the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. Some of these future exhibits include but are not limited to; hurricanes, surfing, U.S. Coast Guard, female lighthouse keepers, African American lighthouse keepers, and African American and Gullah Geechee history.  We are seeking a self-starter who has excellent research, written and oral communication skills as well as being highly organized. There will be a need for the archivist to assist with other duties when needed, such as guided tours, opening and closing, and acting as docent. We are a small staff and cross training is necessary and vital for our success.

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Responsibilities for Archivist/Curator

• Manage archival collections through activities including selecting, preserving, accessioning/de-accessioning, cataloging, and archiving of documents, photographs, objects and electronic data

• Archive and/or store documents and artifacts according to category and make them discoverable through creation of accession lists, indexes, guides, bibliographies, abstracts, and microform copies of documents

• Generate and maintain a database of archival records using PastPerfect database software

• Collect, organize, and maintain a wide range of archival supplementary information for safekeeping and community/research access and to ensure preservation and long-term safekeeping and easy retrieval of documents and information.

• Assist users/researchers with their information and research projects

• Prepare documents and artifacts for public display and storage

• Develop and organize new collections to expand and improve educational and research facilities and mission

• Research historical data and objects for exhibits

• Advertise display of items, artifacts, or exhibits through 

• social media platforms

• Store/preserve materials through a variety of mediums including film, videotape, audiotape, computer disk, or DVD

• Plan archival room space for efficient and effective research use and retrieval

• Develop education and public outreach programs in coordination with the Director of Education

• Help visitors with their research projects

• Develop and organize new collections to expand and improve educational and research facilities

• Research, compile and prepare catalogs for publication on the institution's website

• Research for and prepare grant applications to expand the collections, update the archival facility, or support other aspects of the institution’s research

 

Qualifications

• Experience with museum databases, specifically PastPerfect, and Microsoft applications

• Education, experience, or a specialty in a specific archival field is beneficial

• Understanding of collections and fundraising

• Strong eye for detail and strong graphic design skills for exhibit creation

• Customer service experience and interpersonal skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to lead tours and give lectures

• Research experience

• Able to organize, present, and communicate messages effectively through design

• Superb project management and organizational skills

• Ability to have a flexible schedule and be a self-starter

• Must have the ability to create and follow a budget

• Ability to lift and stand for long periods if required

• Ability to work outside with groups in all weather conditions if required

 

Education Requirements

Master’s degree in museum studies, library science, or museum administration preferred.

 

To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter to Sarah Jones at tybeelightstation@gmail.com Do not stop by or call.

If you have examples of graphic design work please send them as well.

 

Notes:

*This position is not responsible for staff management.

*This is a very physically demanding job involving heavy lifting and potentially standing for long periods.