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Learn about job and internship opportunities in the Chicago area.

CAA will add postings for local opportunities as we learn about them. To submit an employment opportunity please fill out this form. Before submission, please read CAA's Statement on Salary Transparency in Job Postings

Please note: postings will be removed 30 days after the original posting date if no deadline date was included. 

Interested applicants should check the individual employers' websites for details and deadlines. CAA does not assume responsibility for maintaining a complete list of job openings or for the content of listings.

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Society of American Archivists Online Career Center

  • 16 Apr 2025 9:56 AM | Janet Olson (Administrator)

    Digital Asset Specialist, Chicago History Museum

    Project position, 35 hrs/wk for 2 years; salary $55,000/yr

    Job description:

    The Digital Asset Specialist, reporting to the Head of Digital Collections Initiatives, will contribute to the development and implementation of a robust digital asset management program as part of CHM’s long-term Digital Futures initiative. Key responsibilities include assisting with DAMS vendor research, selection, and implementation; organizing and preparing CHM’s unmanaged digital assets for ingestion; migrating assets to local/cloud storage and DAMS; and creating and enhancing metadata. Collaborating closely with the Digital Futures project team, this position will help ensure the successful launch of a new DAMS in 2026. This grant-funded role is a two-year appointment, with the possibility of annual renewal based on funding and performance.

    Qualifications:

    Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Information Management, Library Science, or a related discipline; equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree; 3+ years professional experience in digital asset management or related field; experience with a system implementation preferred

    For more information and to apply:

    https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=5b362fba-f53e-4789-bc85-d104f0b9a79c&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=518331&lang=en_US&source=CC2

  • 11 Apr 2025 2:58 PM | Janet Olson (Administrator)

    Job Posting: Digital Archivist, Art Institute of Chicago

    Digital Archivist, Art Institute Research Cener

    Full-time; salary range $63,000 - $69,000

    ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT 
    A hub for scholarship and training, the Art Institute Research Center connects museum staff, art researchers and emerging professionals to transformative resources and experiences. The Art Institute Archives stewards the museum’s art and architecture archives, institutional archives, imaging archives, and digital preservation efforts. Fellowships, internships, transformative grants and partnerships, trainings, and scholarly events are managed by the department of Academic Engagement and Research (AER). Together, the three branches of the Research Center — Libraries, Archives and AER — care for and connect audiences to a range of vital resources, including books, serials, special collections, auction catalogues, artists’ files, archives, extensive digital tools, and inter-generational human networks of diverse expertise.

    ABOUT THE POSITION
    Reporting to the Director of the Art Institute of Chicago Archives, the Digital Archivist is responsible for developing a sustainable infrastructure for collecting, organizing, describing, and preserving digital materials across the museum, and making digital materials accessible to staff and researchers; deploying that infrastructure to bring historically important digital institutional records into the AIC institutional archive; and preserving, processing, and making accessible other digital materials currently in the archival collections as well as newly acquired digital materials. *The Digital Archivist works collaboratively with fellow staff dedicated to the stewardship of the institutional archives, imaging archives and art and architecture archives to achieve departmental goals. *Facilitates access to the collections by developing and/or implementing digital tools and providing reference and research services to a diverse contingent of patrons in a service-oriented department in the Archives branch of the museum’s new Research Center. The Archivist also contributes to supporting exhibitions and to the development of programs and publications that feature the museum’s archival holdings or digital preservation efforts.
     
    RESPONSIBILITIES
    Collection management: Provides vision, focus, and leadership for digital preservation activities within the Research Center and the museum as a whole. Surveys the current digital landscape at the Art Institute, including born-digital records on current and legacy media, and digitized collections, in order to develop and implement policies, workflows, and procedures for accessioning, processing, describing, preserving, and providing access to digital records of the museum and digital assets in archival collections. Applies workflows and procedures to born-digital material acquired from the Art Institute’s internal records, legacy media in existing hybrid collections, and newly-donated accessions. 
    Digital infrastructure: Advises on and helps lead evolutions in digital documentation and preservation of Art Institute resources in service of the museum’s strategic goals, internal scholarly growth, and external scholarly use and in accordance with international standards and professional best practices. Researches, shapes and implements new systems, software, digital storage technologies, and technical standards, as needed. Performs related software installation, updates, and staff training. Liaises with library and museum technical staff. Plans and manages format conversions and migrations. Develops long-term preservation and curation plans for digital content. Keeps abreast of developments in library and archives technology.
    Supports the department: Trains existing staff on born-digital procedures and assists in their execution of new procedures. Contributes to devising operating procedures and workflows for cross-collection projects. Assists in the training of new professional, paraprofessional staff, interns, volunteers or fellows. Assists in managing fundamental on-site operations and other physical spaces as needed. Assists with planning and management of Research Center-led initiatives and events that engage a broader academic or professional community as appropriate. 
    Liaise with AIC/SAIC constituents: Works closely with stakeholders across the museum to contribute to planning and developing a digital preservation strategy for the museum. Performs outreach to departments to promote best practices, advise on collecting guidelines, provide functional requirements, and explain new digital preservation strategies. Implements new processes and schedules, and provides instruction to staff in the retention, retrieval and lifecycle management of digital institutional records according to established digital preservation protocols. With the Director, shapes long-range strategies and goals where it concerns collection, retention, retrieval and access policies for digital records.
    Facilitates access: Establishes standards for integrating born-digital material into new and existing metadata records and discovery systems. Improves accessibility through the creation and management of new digital resources—such as finding aids, webpages, and databases—and the preservation and delivery of born-digital content. Assists and directs users in navigating collections on-site and online and in the proper procedures for handling collection items. Hosts visits for individual scholars, students or classes. Responds to telephone, email, Art Institute staff and faculty, and walk-in research inquiries, facilitating appointments as needed. 
    Stewardship: Under the guidance of the Director, identifies and evaluates potential born-digital acquisitions. Coordinates transfer of digital files from donors, acting as a liaison between records creators and museum stakeholders. Works directly with records creators to advise on record-keeping practices that will facilitate the eventual transfer of their archives.
    Participates in Research Center and museum-wide committees and task forces, and completes other duties as assigned.

    QUALIFICATIONS 
    Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent Master’s degree with formal training in archival theory and practice required. Digital Archives Specialist certificate or equivalent preferred
    Minimum of 2 years of experience with digital preservation lifecycle planning and implementation in a library, archives or museum setting required.
    Minimum 1 year experience with applying metadata standards and schema for descriptive, structural, and preservation metadata such as DACS, EAD, MARC, and PREMIS required.
    Minimum 1 year experience customizing a Trusted Digital Repository required. Current working knowledge of Preservica, Archive-It, CONTENTdm, HTML, web archiving, computer forensic tools, and Linux/command-line interfaces is highly preferred.
    Demonstrated knowledge of arranging and describing born-digital archival materials in accordance with accepted standards to ensure the long-term preservation of collections.
    Knowledge of various methods of digital preservation, including the use of file packing formats and comprehensive software programs, as well as the OAIS reference model and trusted digital repository concepts.
    Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience with project management.
    Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
    Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
    Demonstrated interest in art/art history, with interest in Chicago and Midwest history, art, design, architecture is preferred.

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
    Capacity with some physical labor minimally required. 
    Periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; must be able to remain in a stationary position 60% of the time.
    Often moves about inside the office and across various museum spaces to meet with colleagues, access galleries or storage areas, move collections, and other related tasks.
    Often operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and printer.
    Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
      
    ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
    The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified 
    individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. 

    UNION INFO
    This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO APPLY:

    https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/ART1010AICH/JobBoard/d263cd2b-c4ef-4e10-8876-a2896406a573/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=1e55d733-cd9f-4f58-a157-72ca2abba472

      If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
  • 31 Mar 2025 10:03 AM | Janet Olson (Administrator)

    Assistant University Archivist, Loyola University Chicago

    Full time; Salary range $55,000-63,000

    Job description:

    The Assistant University Archivist supports the University Archivist in managing the Loyola University Chicago Archives and Special Collections (LUCASC) department. This role encompasses a variety of responsibilities, including providing research assistance to researchers, supporting class sessions, collaborating with student staff and interns, processing collections, promoting the department through social media and the creation of exhibits, and working on various departmental projects and initiatives. The successful candidate should show evidence of creativity, initiative, flexibility, dedication to diversity, and ability to work with diverse populations. This is an open-rank library faculty appointment. At Loyola, Librarian is a special faculty designation with opportunities for promotion.

    Required Qualifications
    • Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program with specialization in archives or related degree with specialization in archives.
    • Experience working in an archives or special collections unit.
    • Expertise in archival arrangement and description.
    • Proficiency in reading cursive and other handwriting styles.
    • Physical ability to lift and move boxes and other materials on and off shelves.

    Preferred Qualifications
    • Minimum of two years’ experience working in an archives or special collections unit.
    • Certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists.
    • Demonstrated creativity, initiative, and flexibility.
    • Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
    • Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
    • Ability to handle confidential information in accordance with best practices, institutional policies, and legal requirements.
    • Expertise in providing reference services to researchers.
    • Experience working with collection management software, digital preservation software, and digital exhibit software such as Preservica, Omeka S, Archive-It, and ArchivesSpace.
    • Experience in electronic records processing and preservation.
    • Experience working with classes using archival materials.
    • Experience supervising student workers.
    • Knowledge of metadata schemas such as DACS, Dublin Core, EAD, RAD, and PBCore.

    For more information and to apply: https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/23550

    Application deadline: April 30, 2025

    Job # 8102086

  • 28 Mar 2025 9:49 AM | Janet Olson (Administrator)

    Digital Assets Librarian, Morton Arboretum, Lisle IL

    Full time; salary range $58,000-65,000

    The Morton Arboretum is seeking a skilled and innovative Digital Assets Librarian to join our Sterling Morton Library team. This exciting role offers a unique opportunity to manage and preserve our diverse digital assets, including images, videos, documents, and multimedia files. As the primary administrator of ACORN, our collections management system, you will play a crucial role in organizing, cataloging, and ensuring long-term access to our digital collections. We're looking for a passionate professional who can leverage their expertise in digital asset management, metadata standards, and preservation techniques to enhance the discoverability and usability of our resources. If you have a strong background in library science, a keen eye for detail, and a drive to keep pace with emerging technologies in digital libraries, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of our digital collections.

    Job Description:

    ·       Serve as the primary administrator for ACORN, the Sterling Morton Library’s collections management system. Manage user access and permissions, establish and update system processes and procedures, and troubleshoot technical issues. 

    ·       Organize, catalog, and manage digital assets and their associated metadata. Develop and implement metadata standards and controlled vocabularies. Ensure metadata is consistent and accurate across all digital asset collections.

    ·       Manage digitization and cataloging projects, including overseeing volunteer work. Identify, evaluate, and acquire new born-digital assets and digitize physical assets in accordance with Library and Arboretum organizational needs. 

    ·       Prioritize and initiate projects that expose the library's digital collections to new audiences and engage the public with the Arboretum's mission. Curate digital assets for online exhibitions, onsite displays, tours, and presentations. 

    ·       Collaborate with other Arboretum departments to meet organizational needs for digital content and serve as a point of contact for inquiries related to digital assets. Provide training and support for staff and other users on best practices for managing and using digital assets in ACORN and related tools.

    ·       Establish usage policies for digital assets based on organizational requirements and copyright considerations. Ensure that all digital assets comply with copyright laws, licenses, and terms of use. Maintain up-to-date records of asset licensing and usage rights.

    ·       Ensure long-term preservation, quality control, and access to digital assets.

    ·       Design and conduct usability testing of user interfaces and develop related assessment strategies. Generate reports on digital asset usage, analyze trends, and recommend improvements. Work with external developers to make ACORN improvements and maintain current versions of the software.

    ·       Assist in the provision of reference and interlibrary loan services to Arboretum staff, researchers, and the general public, guiding them in using print and digital resources.

    ·       Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

    ·       Other duties as assigned.

     Qualifications: ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library Science required. 2+ relevant years of experience required. Experience in digital asset management, digital preservation, or managing digital collections required, preferably in a library, archival or museum setting. Familiarity with digital content management systems (e.g., CollectiveAccess, Omeka, or similar platforms). Experience with metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core, METS, MODS) and controlled vocabularies. Knowledge of digital preservation techniques and tools, such as OAIS, PREMIS, or digital file integrity tools. Experience with cataloging, descriptive metadata, and content management in a digital environment. Familiarity with various digital asset formats (e.g., images, audio, video, text documents) and tools for their management. Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, digital asset management tools, and library software systems.

     For more information and to apply: https://careers.hireology.com/themortonarboretum/2288461/description

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