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Archivist IV (Houston History Research Center)

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Archivist IV (Houston History Research Center)

Salary

$78,910.26 - $85,418.32 Annually

Location

500 McKinney St.

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

37573

Department

Houston Public Library

Division

HPL - CENTRAL LIBRARY SERVICES

Opening Date

11/24/2025

Closing Date

11/30/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

PIN: 37573

APPLICATION ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

DIVISION / SECTION: Special Collections / Houston History Research Center

Workday & Hours: Rotating Shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Houston Public Library (HPL) seeks an experienced Archivist IV to serve as the Manager of the Houston History Research Center (HHRC). Located in the historic Julia Ideson Building and next door to HPL’s Central Library, the HHRC-Manager is responsible for the daily operations and supervision of the HHRC team. The Houston History Research Center preserves and makes accessible Houston and Houstonian history with a professional staff of archivists and librarians. The HHRC collection of photographs, documents, maps, building plans, journals, oral histories, and books are available to the public on-site in the research room and online through the digital archives.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a Cover Letter and Resume when applying. Houston Public Library serves a population of 2.2 million citizens through a network of Neighborhood Libraries spread out across the Houston area, a Central Library, and three History Research Centers. For more information about the Houston History Research Center, please visit https://houstonlibrary.org/hhrc.

The essential duties and functions of the (Archivist IV - Manager of Houston History Research Center) include but are not limited to the following:

+ Manage day-to-day operations for the HHRC research room and archival collections.

+ Supervise, coach, and mentor 8-12 staff members.

+ Maintain and analyze statistics and manage private fund and grant budgets.

+ Working closely with the community and staff, improve operations, workflows, and policies and procedures to ensure that operations match community needs.

+ Lead library programming and outreach efforts to promote the local history collection with Houston.

+ Give presentations and reports to stakeholders and represent the library at community events and archival conferences.

+ Other administrative duties as assigned.

+ Position does require some evening and weekend work.

+ Preference will be given to those who are willing to work a r otating shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of papers or books (up to 20 pounds or an equivalent weight) may be required. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions. Requires the ability to make simple gross motor responses within large tolerances.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires an ALA accredited Master's degree in library science; History or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

(4) Four years of experience in archival processing, collecting, or research, historical research, library systems, or a closely related field are required.

PREFERENCES

+ Experience managing a research center and strong supervisory skills.

+ Project management experience especially in the areas of digitization, conservation, or grant-funded projects.

+ Working experience in an archives, special collection, museum, or research center.

+ Familiarity with local history collections, particularly Houston and Texas.

+ Experience in records or documents management; creating policies and procedures; or strategic planning or succession planning.

+ Strong problem solving and organization skills.

+ Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with others.

+ Effective written and oral communication skills.

+ Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) Certification or Records Management Certification.

+ To better serve our diverse communities, fluency in a foreign language is highly preferred.

+ A valid Texas driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of selection.

+ Preference will be given to those who are willing to work a rotating shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

The selection process will involve application review and/or Interview. The department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION - YES

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

PAY GRADE - 25

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfmor call 832-393-0473).

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832-393-0473. (TTY 7-1-1). If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume along with their completed application when applying.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

+ Medical

+ Dental

+ Vision

+ Wellness

+ Supplemental Insurance

+ Life insurance

+ Long-term disability

+ Retirement pension

+ 457 deferred compensation plan

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ 10 days of vacation each year

+ 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

+ Compensable Sick Leave

+ Personal Leave

+ Flexible schedules

+ Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions

+ Professional development opportunities

+ Transportation/parking plan

+ Section 125 pretax deductions

+ Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

+ Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves

+ Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

1. Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

+ YES

+ NO

02

Have you ever and/or are you currently a Houston Public Library employee?

+ YES

+ NO

03

Please indicate the field of your highest degree:

+ Master of Library Science (from an ALA-accredited institution).

+ History Degree.

+ Other (please specify what your degree is in).

+ I do not have a degree

04

How many years of experience do you possess in archival processing, collecting, or research, historical research and/or library systems?

+ Less than 4 years.

+ 4 years but less than 6 years

+ 6 years but less than 8 years

+ 8 or more years of experience.

+ I have no experience as a full-time Librarian.

05

How many years of "verifiable" supervisory experience do you possess in managing either of the following, professional staff, support staff, contractors, or volunteers?

+ Less than 1 year.

+ 1 year but less than 3 years.

+ 3 years but less than 6 years.

+ 6 years or more of experience.

+ I have no experience.

06

In which of the following programs/skills are you proficient? (check all that apply).

+ Project management.

+ Payroll and staff evaluation software.

+ Budget management.

+ Acquisition and donation assessments in a library.

+ Digitization equipment and software.

+ Using findings aids or other primary research tools.

+ Preservation and conservation techniques.

+ None of the above.

07

Do you have experience working in an archives, special collections, or other type of research center?

+ YES

+ NO

08

Please indicate languages, other than English, in which you are fluent (reading, writing, and/or speaking).

+ Spanish

+ Chinese

+ Vietnamese

+ Arabic

+ French

+ Other Languages

+ I am not bilingual

09

Do you have an Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) Certification or Records Management Certification?

+ Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) Certification.

+ Records Management Certification.

+ I do not have a certification.

10

Please indicate your "highest" level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

+ BASIC: Create a new document, enter text, and save it; navigate in a document and perform a search; format cells, rows, and columns; modify a database and insert data from another; application; create title and bullet slides; work with text, drawn objects, and drawing tools.

+ INTERMEDIATE: Create mail merges, sort and filter them; customize toolbars; run and record Macros; filter data and manage a filtered list; create and modify some Macro commands; create, modify, and format charts; create basic Macros to automate forms and data entry; customize the appearance and functionality of reports; use hyperlinks and perform data integration.

+ ADVANCED: Manage table data, sort and filter merges, advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data in Excel. delete e-mails from the Inbox, Sent Items and Deleted Items folders, Add, edit, move and delete appointments on your calendar.

+ I have no MS Office Suite experience.

11

Do you have a valid Texas driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of selection?

+ YES

+ NO

12

Are you willing to work a rotating shift, which will consist of varied hours within Monday - Sunday, 8:15am - 8:15pm?

+ YES

+ NO

13

5. Describe your supervisory experience. Include how you have coached and/or mentored employees and how you have mediated conflicts between staff. Please be specific. (If you do not have any experience, please put N/A).

14

Please describe your work and volunteer experience within an archive, special collections, museum, or any other type of library or research center, including your experience working directly with local history and research tools.

Required Question