Are you passionate about the outdoors and protecting special places? Do you love looking at and taking photographs especially ones of landscapes and families? Are you detailed oriented and love Massachusetts’ history? If you enjoy learning while you meticulously process, catalogue, and curate physical and digital photographic assets then we have the opportunity for you!

The Trustees of Reservations is one of Massachusetts’ largest non-profits and the nation’s first conservation and preservation organization, and we believe in protecting the irreplaceable forever, for everyone. We believe that people are connected to place, and it is our mission to build and foster stronger connections between people, their natural and cultural heritage, and their communities. We are looking for a Photo Cataloger to photograph and process archival collections and photographic assets for inclusion in the collections management software and digital asset management system, creating consistent metadata records. Your contributions will be added to the Archives & Research Center, which documents The Trustees’ founding role in the land trust movement, the stories of Trustees properties across the Commonwealth, and the lives of American families from the 1600s to the present.

As the Photo Cataloger, your primary work location will be at the Trustees hub of curatorial stewardship, the Archives & Research Center (ARC) in Sharon, MA. The ARC is home to 1,500 linear feet of archival materials, including more than 30 private collections featuring exceptional pieces from indigenous Massachusetts peoples to mid-century Modern. The ARC houses works of art on paper, maps, architectural plans, garden designs, botanical specimens, manuscripts, letters, diaries, books, business ledgers, legal documents and deeds linked to specific properties and to the organization’s history. As the Photo Cataloger, you will focus on processing, cataloging, and curating the physical and digital photographic assets of The Trustees. These assets types could be daguerreotype; glass-plate; film; print, tintype; carte de visite; or slide. In addition, the photo cataloger will photograph archival collections for inclusion in the digital asset management system. Between the materials you will work with and all the other artifacts the ARC houses, you will be so intrigued by the rich history of The Trustees and may never want to leave!

Responsibilities:

  • Arrange, describe, preserve, and catalog photographic materials following established standards and procedures as specified by the Society of American Archivists, the Association of Moving Image Archivists, the American Library Association, and other nationally recognized authorities.
  • Create consistent metadata records and ingest standards; review and maintain high-level content metadata through checking the accuracy and validity of records.
  • Work with other ARC staff to develop and maintain a digitization workflow for photographic materials, and provide technical expertise in all areas of the production process.
  • Provide guidance in best practices for data management, training and development for Trustee staff as needed.
  • Digitize The Trustees’ collections, which includes: image capture, image manipulation, image processing, quality assurance, metadata creation and entry, and image delivery.
  • Participate in meeting assignments as needed.
  • Perform and report on special studies, projects and assignments as requested.
Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of current principles and methods of cataloging, arrangements, description, and preservation, procedures including metadata creation and digitization best practices.
  • Familiarity with standard collections care, archives and museum practices, and best practices for object handling is required.
  • Competency in computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and digital imaging applications, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
  • Experience with the photography of bound materials is preferred.
  • Knowledge of PastPerfect Museum software is a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to work well with a team of diverse professionals and volunteers to produce a high quality outcome on time.
  • A proven, passionate commitment to the values, mission and purposes represented by The Trustees of Reservations.
  • Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent advanced degree.
  • Must be able to work efficiently and meticulously.
  • Demonstrated problem solving skills.
  • Knowledge of current trends, tools, and protocols in digital archiving and preservation.
  • Experience with archival or records management software.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan, coordinate, and implement complex projects.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the Photo Cataloger is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds unassisted, carry large/awkward print folders, and climb and reach on step stools and rolling ladders.

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a part-time, exempt position that is expected to last approximately 24 months. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

How To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, along with a resume and salary requirements to:

Alison Bassett, ARC Manager

The Trustees of Reservations

396 Moose Hill Street

Sharon, MA 02067

Or

abassett@ttor.org

No phone calls please.

The Trustees already has an amazing story. It’s through your hard work that we will be able to share our thousands of historical documents, objects, and artifacts with researchers, Trustees staff and volunteers, and people everywhere.

In addition to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Trustees of Reservations aim to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of our team. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.