Monastery Archivist
Washington, D.C.

About Georgetown Visitation
Located in Washington, DC, the Georgetown Visitation Monastery is the home of the Sisters of the Visitation. The Order of the Visitation was founded in 1610 by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal in Annecy, France. Georgetown Visitation Monastery was the first house of the Visitation founded in the United States: three Visitation sisters first opened the Catholic girls’ school in 1799, and the Monastery was founded in 1816. The Georgetown Visitation Monastery archives is a profoundly significant resource that tells the story of not only a religious community but also the very beginnings of young women’s education in early United States history.

Position Summary
The Monastery Archivist will collect, evaluate, describe, organize, preserve, and digitize archival documents, artwork, photographs, books, ephemera, material culture items, oral histories, and born-digital items of the Georgetown Visitation Monastery in Georgetown, Washington, DC. The work is to honor the living tradition of the Visitation Sisters and their Salesian heritage and to carry it forward and promote it for generations to come. The Monastery Archivist will collaborate frequently with the Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School Archivist and Director of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center to facilitate research and special projects. The ideal candidate will possess a master’s degree in library and information sciences and previous experience as an archivist for a religious institution. As the first lay Archivist, this position requires an appreciation of and sensitivity to engaging with a cloistered religious community. The Monastery Archivist will report directly to the Business Manager of the Monastery.

Responsibilities
This is a “lone arranger” position and involves independent application of all aspects of proper archival responsibilities. The successful candidate should be able to:

Conduct a survey of collections and develop and implement processing plan
Write clear and concise finding aids
Assess items and administer preservation best practices
Communicate effectively with the Sisters of the Visitation and monastery staff to explain archival procedures and best practices in common terms
Allocate time for concurrent projects
Learn and use collections management software
Field and conduct research queries from the Sisters of the Visitation; school faculty, staff and alumnae; outside researchers
Collaborate with Georgetown Visitation’s School Archivist and Director of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center on special projects and research requests
Accession new items according to archival best practices
Organize, describe, and preserve born-digital items
Appreciate the value of Salesian Spirituality

Skills, Experiences, and Attributes

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (required)
At least two years of experience working in archives
Experience surveying collections and developing and implementing a processing plan
Knowledge of archival finding aids
Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
Lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds occasionally
Ability to move around campus and into several non-ADA compliant buildings

Compensation
This is a full-time, 12-month position. The salary range is $65,000-$80,000, based on experience, with an employment package that includes sick days, personal days, and paid vacation.

Jobs at LeaderFit