Collections Manager

Job Description

About the DC History Center

Established in 1894 and located at the Carnegie Library in Downtown, the DC History Center is a community-supported nonprofit organization, which deepens understanding of our city’s past to connect, empower, and inspire. It collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation's capital through research and scholarship, adult programs, youth education, and exhibits. Committed to values of equity and justice, we seek to do this work as a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters curiosity and nurtures civic engagement to strengthen the District for all. This work requires that our staff fully reflect our city’s rich diversity. For more information visit dchistory.org.

Position Summary

The DC History Center is operated by a full-time staff of nine, who work closely with the Board of Trustees, students, and volunteers. The collections manager, a newly created position, will support the management and care of an extensive collection of photographs, manuscripts, maps, printed materials, artworks,   ephemera, and objects, as well as a small but growing collection of digital assets. This position reports to the deputy director and works in close collaboration with the research services librarian, the education manager, and the program manager (who also report to the deputy director).

Primary Responsibilities

The collections manager will:

• Establish the collections strategy in the context of the organization’s strategic plan, in collaboration with the deputy director
• Represent the DC History Center and its collections to community stakeholders.
• Manage communication with and archival appraisal processes for donation inquiries and unsolicited donations.
• Ensure proper documentation of the collections, including accessioning and deaccessioning, cataloging, inventories, and other records. This includes maintaining the collections management database, digital asset management system, and physical collections files.
• Manage all aspects of processing the collections, including arranging, describing, reformatting, and rehousing.
• Train and oversee volunteers and interns who also carry out processing activities.
• Ensure proper care and preservation of the collections by managing the collections storage rooms, including environmental conditions data and analysis, performing curatorial housekeeping, and integrated pest management.
• Ensure oversight of collections maintained at off-site storage locations.
• Support collections development, including community outreach, and update policies and procedures relating to collections management in accordance with best practices in the field.
• Contribute to exhibition planning and installation, including overseeing incoming and outgoing loans.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Collections Committee.
• Support reference and research services in the Kiplinger Research Library, including but not limited to intellectual property and copyright clearance research.
• Support communication, outreach, and fundraising including but not limited to promotion of the collections via programs, blog posts, social media, and Washington History magazine.

General

• Assist with “all hands” events, such as DC History Center fundraising events.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The collections manager will be an outstanding communicator, a detail-oriented and highly organized professional, and a flexible, collaborative team player. They will demonstrate initiative and a high level of self-direction. Familiarity with, and enthusiasm for, sharing the culture, history, and diversity of our city will be a strong plus.

• Master’s degree in library science, archives, museum studies, history or related field with demonstrated experience in hands-on collections management of both analog and digital collections OR a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years of hands-on experience with archival collections, in both analog and digital formats.
• Experience, skills, or familiarity with analog and digital collection preservation best practices.
• Experience with or demonstrated interest in non-custodial collecting practices, combating archival erasure, restorative collection description practices, and other tenets of critical librarianship/archival practice.
• Familiarity with related standards including DACS and Dublin Core required.
•  Familiarity with Pastperfect Software a plus.
• Experience, skills, or aptitude with digital asset management strongly desirable.
• Track record of successful project management.
• Track record of engaging community around collections.
• Ability to bend, kneel, and lift heavy boxes
• Outstanding written communication and verbal communication skills.
• Adept at handling multiple priorities and maintaining high productivity with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong interest in public history, with focus on local DC history.

Scheduling

Due to current pandemic conditions, the position will begin as a hybrid of remote and onsite hours. Once circumstances improve, most work will be onsite during regular business hours, with some evening and weekend work required.

Safety Policy

The DC History Center values the safety of our staff, clients, and visitors. In support of these values, if you are invited to join our team, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except with an approved medical or religious accommodation. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or you must request an exemption. New staff must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious accommodation before working for the DC History Center.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary $55,000 - $60,000 depending on experience. Comprehensive benefits

package includes health, dental, and vision; life and disability insurance; and 403(b) plan with employer match. Central downtown location easily accessible from all Metro lines.

Applications and Inquiries

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume, including salary history or requirements. To apply, visit www.dchistory.org/about/employment/. No direct emails to staff, phone calls, or walk-ins please.