Job Description
The New York Transit Museum is seeking an experienced temporary grant-based Project Archivist to digitize and catalog approximately 2,000 historic photographic prints and negatives that depict construction for Contract 1, Sections 1 & 2; containing the earliest segments of the New York City subway system. The project will additionally include organizing roughly 594 boxes of 4x5 and 8x10 photographic negatives of subway construction images and creating an inventory.
This position will be 37.5 hours per week for 46 weeks. Work will be performed on-site at the archives in Downtown Brooklyn. Start date: August 1, 2022. Rate: $30/hour.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, library & information studies, archival studies, history, or closely related field preferred
- New York State Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises certification (M/WBE)
- Experience using PastPerfect Museum Software (PastPerfect Web Edition is preferred)
- Experience in digitizing negatives, contact sheets, and photographic prints; i.e. fragile materials
- Knowledge of best practices in handling and preservation of archival material
- Knowledge of archival metadata standards and authorities such as DACS, and LCSH
- Other skills include Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and an overall familiarity with Collection
Management Systems
- Knowledge or interest in New York history, preferably transportation history
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills, and impeccable attention to detail
- Ability to work independently
About the New York Transit Museum:
The New York Transit Museum is the largest museum in the United States devoted to urban public transportation history, and one of the premier institutions of its kind in the world. The Museum explores the development of the greater New York metropolitan region through the presentation of exhibitions, tours, educational programs, and workshops dealing with the cultural, social, and technological history of public transportation. Since its inception 40 years ago, the Museum, housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Downtown Brooklyn, has grown in scope and popularity. As custodian and interpreter of the region's extensive public transportation networks, the Museum strives to share, through its public programs, this rich and vibrant history with local, regional, and international audiences.
The New York Transit Museum Archive collects, preserves, and presents material relating to the region’s public transportation, past and present, focusing on the agencies of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and their predecessor companies. Established in 1976, the Transit Museum currently holds a collection of more than 4,300 cubic feet of historical records and approximately 8,000 artifacts, including historic vehicles.
Friends of the New York Transit Museum is an equal opportunity employer.
The New York Transit Museum is fully committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital/familial/partnership/caregiver status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and/or sex offenses, or any legally protected basis. The museum welcomes and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENT:
In accordance with NYC law and in order to protect our employees and continue to provide safe and reliable service to our communities, we are requiring all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date. We will consider exceptions for religious and medical reasons, where appropriate. “Fully vaccinated” means you must have both doses of a 2-dose vaccine and two weeks have elapsed since the sec-ond dose or have received 1 dose of a 1-dose vaccine and two weeks have elapsed since the dose. Proof of your vaccination status in the form of a CDC vaccine card must be submitted prior to your start date.