Processing Archivist, South Side Home Movie

About the Role

The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) is seeking a part-time Processing Archivist to support the implementation of its CLIR-funded Digitizing Hidden Collections project, "Filming Mid-Twentieth Century Black Life in Chicago: The Ramon Williams Collection." This position focuses on digitization and digital preservation. The role is for the term of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect, clean, repair, digitize, and create access files for the Ramon Williams films.
• Conduct inventory and condition assessments of film materials.
• Prepare film materials for digitization workflows.
• Coordinate specialized preservation processes when required.
• Create, edit, and manage metadata records for audiovisual materials using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary.
• Research to identify people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films for accurate and inclusive descriptions.
• Ingest digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and ensure materials are accessible through its online platform.
• Enhance discoverability through subject tagging, keywording, and descriptive annotations.
• Perform quality control on digitized files and metadata records.
• Maintain clear documentation of processing workflows, metadata decisions, and digitization outputs.
• Contribute to the development of collection-level and thematic resources (e.g., finding aids, digital exhibits, interpretive essays).
• Support community-informed archival practices, including reviewing user-generated metadata.
• Prepare materials for public programming, exhibitions, and digital storytelling initiatives.
• Participate in regular project meetings to assess progress and refine workflows.
• Assist with documentation and reporting required by the CLIR grant.
• Support SSHMP’s broader public programming and 20th anniversary initiatives, as needed.
• Acquire and process library materials and resources, resolving processing problems.
• Identify and document preservation needs and ensure the preservation of library pieces, electronically and digitally.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• Knowledge and skills developed through work experience in a related job discipline.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.

Qualifications

• None explicitly stated beyond the educational and experience requirements.