At MrWatchMaster we are proud to work in partnership with the leading horological institutions around the globe, including the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC)
We also support the Watch industry by encouraging new people to take an interest in horology and further their education and learning. So we are delighted to offer an amazing opportunity for one lucky individual to become a Research Fellow and Project Archivist for the Hamilton Watch Collections at the National Watch and Clock Museum in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA.
This temporary position will aid in researching, processing, preserving, and making accessible to the public our numerous collections and objects related to the Hamilton Watch Company. This includes more than 900 objects in the museum collection and more than 20 archival collections.
The position will require 468 hours over a three- to six-month period depending on the hours worked per week. The successful candidate will report to the Curator of Collections and/or the Library Archivist.
The Hamilton Watch Collections Research Fellow and Project Archivist will work to modernize and expand the descriptions of the current database records in PastPerfect5 and ArchivesSpace.
Other duties will include the following:
- Research and link digital objects to corresponding records in the databases as well as edit archival descriptions.
- Use resources available from the NAWCC Research Library and approved websites to find relevant information on the objects or collections in question and update all applicable fields.
- Photograph museum objects in accordance with current museum standards.
- Work with the archivist to assess the preservation needs of the archive collections and re-house materials as appropriate.
- Process small or large collections in the archive.
- Assist the archivist in building digitization plans for these collections.
This position offers an opportunity for experience in processing collections in a special library and working in a museum to make collections accessible to researchers and prepare the collections for digitization projects.
The ideal candidate will have experience with both archives and museums, with a possibility to concentrate on one area based on the goals, interests, and experience of the candidate and the needs of the NAWCC.
Additional required experience:
- Enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate program in Library/Archival Science from an ALA-accredited library school; or
- Enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate program inMuseum Studies; or
- The equivalent qualifications gained from experience.
Necessary skills:
- Working knowledge of content management databases such as PastPerfect5 or ArchivesSpace
- Professional conservation paper and object handling experience
- Practical or theoretical training in preservation and conservation
- Experience arranging, describing, and re-housing archival collections
- Experience creating electronic finding aids
- Photography and/or digitization experience
- Knowledge of relevant industry standards such as DACS
- Basic knowledge of best museum and archive practices and ethics
- Ability to use the Research Library
- Ability to work independently
- Trustworthy
- Able to lift 25 lb.
- Able to work within the assigned work areas and project collections storage
- Good research skills
- Good organizational skills
- Able to take and follow instructions and direction
To apply, please submit a covering letter and resume to [email protected] by August 20th, 2018. Review of applications will begin immediately. The anticipated start date will be in mid-September. This is a grant-funded, paid position.
