Project Archivist

Department: Public Affairs / Library and Archives | Location: Bronx Zoo / Hybrid | Category: Temporary, Full-Time (Grant funded, 3 years) | Status: Exempt

About the Role

The Shelby White and Leon Levy Access Initiative Project Archivist will play a central role in a three-year grant-funded initiative to expand access to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) archival collections. The Project Archivist will process physical and digital records (approximately 250 linear feet and 1 TB of digital material), develop finding aids, and support digitization workflows, including creating metadata for records digitized during the project. This role requires a self-directed professional who can confidently work independently while also engaging collaboratively with colleagues and serving as an effective ambassador for the Library and Archives within WCS and occasionally to external audiences. Working closely with WCS Library and Archives staff, the Project Archivist will help transform previously inaccessible collections into discoverable, publicly accessible research resources that inform conservation science and history.

Responsibilities

• Prepare select collections for digitization, including rehousing as needed and shipment coordination with digitization vendors.
• Create and manage metadata for digitized materials, and update existing catalog records and finding aids accordingly.
• Process and arrange approximately 250 linear feet of physical records and 1 TB of digital records documenting WCS conservation programs.
• Create finding aids for newly processed collections using ArchivesSpace.
• Assist with project documentation, reporting, and workflow development as needed.
• Support research requests related to project records as needed.
• Participate in regular meetings with the Library and Archives department and Public Affairs division.
• Present on project-related subjects to internal and external stakeholders, as opportunities arise.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1–3 years of professional archival experience, including processing physical and born-digital collections and creating finding aids.
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent, with specialization in archives or records management strongly preferred.
• Working experience with archival collections systems (ArchivesSpace required, Preservica preferred), and strong proficiency in metadata standards (DACS, DublinCore) and digital preservation practices.
• Experience handling multifaceted projects, with a high degree of organization and effective prioritization.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with confidence and sound judgment, while also possessing strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues and represent the Library and Archives to internal stakeholders and occasional external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle physical archival materials and perform light lifting as needed.

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Travel

Very minimal (possible occasional travel to other WCS zoos or aquarium and/or possible conference participation)

Pay

$75,000