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Research Resources: Senior Archivist
Whitney Museum of American ArtNew York City, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 27 Jul 2026
💰 $73,000/yr($68,000/yr – $73,000/yr)
About the role
Reporting to the Associate Director, Library and Archives, the Senior Archivist provides vision and strategy to promote, process, and provide access to the Museum's digital and analog records. The position oversees all functions of the archives and records management program to facilitate collecting, preserving, and providing access to the historical records of the Whitney Museum and related special collections in analog and digital formats. This includes promoting the use of the collections, providing reference support, and coordinating digital initiatives.
Responsibilities
6+ years in archives management
Specific knowledge, abilities and/or skills
Responsibilities
- Conduct reference, cataloguing, and processing activities for existing and new archival collections
- Execute the records retention policy of the institution for analog and digital records
- Determine priorities and goals for acquiring processing, digitizing, and preserving analog and digital archival records
- Support digital initiatives and the continued development of a digital archival platform and a born-digital records management program
- Process digital content
- Oversee the delivery of in-depth research
- Hire, train, and supervise Archives staff and graduate student interns
- Develop and maintain ArchivesSpace
- Provide guidance on records management
- Ensure the confidentiality of museum records
- Identify, collect, analyze, and communicate metrics to evaluate the use of archival collections for the purposes of strategic planning
- MLS/MLIS with a concentration in archives or other relevant graduate degree with certificate in archival studies
- Experience with art sources and services
6+ years in archives management
Specific knowledge, abilities and/or skills
- Word, Excel, Access, Microsoft 365, Archival management systems such as ArchivesSpace.
- Proficiency in archival theory and practice, especially accessioning, processing and description
- Knowledge of preservation and conservation issues
- Knowledge of library and archival descriptive and content standards including DACS, EAD, and MARC
- Familiarity with HTML and/or XML
- Knowledge of rights administration and management issues related to archives and special collections
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range is $68,000-$73,000 and will be commensurate with experience
- Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
- Generous PTO benefits
- Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
- Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
- Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike
- This position may be covered by UAW Local 2110
If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
About the Whitney
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of mo
About the Whitney
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of mo
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