City Archivist

The City of Seattle is seeking a dynamic innovative and service-oriented individual to serve as the City Archivist (Manager-LEG). This is a Civil Service exempt regular position in the Office of the City Clerk a division of the Legislative Department.

As City Archivist you will manage the Seattle Municipal Archives and the Citywide Records Management programs and the Information Services unit of the Office of the City Clerk - City-wide programs offering a rich resource of historical information on Seattle city government to the global public and provide expert support of internal business functions and comprehensive records and information management services to City agencies. Additionally you will work to improve archives and records management practices across municipal departments develop training programs and guide policy implementation. You will champion and spearhead initiatives for electronic records management and provide expert advice on archives and records management.

The City Archivist role has general administrative responsibility for the development and implementation of these programs and the authority to recommend City-wide policies and rules related to the management and preservation of records. As a member of the Office of the City Clerks leadership team you will report directly to the City Clerk and collaborate with management and leadership in the City Clerks Office to carry out the vital historical information services function for City government and the citizens of Seattle.

About the Seattle Municipal Archives (SMA) Citywide Records Management Program (CRMP) and Information Services.

The Archives and City Records Management units issue guidance and set policies for the Citys retention of records general information management and for the Citys historical records. It administers the Citys electronic records management and retention system and provides training and services to help City employees manage their records in accordance with Washingtons public records laws. Seattle Municipal Archives provides reference services to City employees and the public and outreach and education to strengthen understanding of public records laws access rights and the importance of government and historical records to the City the community and individuals. The historical records collection is extensive and contains a variety of formats dating back to the 1870s. The division also partners with community groups heritage organizations and individuals working on initiatives that connect local history with the community.

The information Services team operates the Office of the City Clerks Service Desk manages Seattles legislation administers the Citys domestic partnership registration program receives and tracks mandatory City filings including consultant contracts deeds agreements and reports; provides legislative research assistance; processes claim for damages . Responsibilities include post-passage legislative workflows coordinating publication of passed legislation and providing equitable access to City services both in-person and electronically.

• Establish implement and maintain a strategic plan and governance framework for the City to effectively and efficiently manage public agency records information and data regardless of physical format or characteristics including developing strategies to ensure the collection and longterm accessibility of public records in all formats.
• Provide management and leadership direction and oversee all core functions for the SMA and CRMP Programs.
• Manage select instruct schedule train and evaluate the activities of assigned personnel.
• Assist with staff recruiting and make hire recommendations.
• Lead city-wide efforts for acquiring maintaining and stewarding city archival records.
• Prepare and monitor work plans and prepare annual reporting materials.
• Develop review and implement all policies and procedures specific to SMA and CRMP.
• Plan coordinate and oversee outreach activities including public programs presentations exhibits newsletters and other appropriate programs to provide educational services to the city and the general public.
• Engage with community groups educational institutions and other relevant organizations to ensure diversity and representation in archival records and preservation.
• Serve as an information and knowledge resource for City government; provide direct reference service to City Council.

• Conduct special projects with City departments external consultants agencies and vendors and establish high-level partnerships for sharing Seattles history.
• Assess potential records for intake and advise on electronic and born-digital records storage.
• Identify grant opportunities write grant applications and administer grant programs.
• Support programming for disaster preparedness.
• Determine the programs budgetary and purchasing needs prepare justifications and present data to the City Clerk for unit budgets.
• Work with Legislative IT team on technology system replacements for outdated Information Services Systems including current Collective Access migration for legislation and identifying new software for tracking filings.
• Maintain archival technologies and equipment and lead migration to new preservation software and electronic records search portal.
• Develop and present recommendations to the City Clerk and/or City Councilmembers as needed. May require presentation in a public meeting setting. Implement approved recommendations.
• Serve as a member of the Division management and leadership teams.
• Serve on intra-departmental teams and lead teams as assigned providing team supervision and project supervision and/or leadership as needed.
• Engage in the core functions of the program as appropriate to the division of labor among staff.
• Serve as department floor warden.
• Serve in Division line of succession for emergency management.
• Serves as a single point of accountability for archival inquiries
• Applies an RSJI lens to ensure equitable access to all services and integrates racial and social justice principles throughout archival records management and information services work
• Participates in the Citys Information Governance meeting.
• Other duties as assigned/ required.

You will need to possess the following minimum qualifications (or a combination of education training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Masters degree in History Library and Information Science Public Administration Political Science or related discipline with coursework in archives and records management or a combination of education and experience that would prepare a candidate to complete the listed job duties.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience managing an archives and/or records management program.
• Five years of experience supervising and/or managing professional staff.
• Experience in a government archives and records program or program of similar breadth.
• Demonstrated knowledge of records storage and information retrieval and repository management for both physical and digital records.
• Competency in standard desktop computer applications.
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or skills in digital records systems.
• Experience in outreach and advocacy.
• Experience managing electronic records or significant training in issues related to preservation of electronic records.
• Knowledge of legislative processes of local government
• Strong communication skills to work across City departments and with the public
• Experience managing customer service operations

Your success in this role will depend on your experience in and understanding of:

• Demonstrated effectiveness in program leadership and management.
• Demonstrated skills at successful oral presentations in training or in a public setting.
• Excellent analytical organizational and managerial skills.
• Knowledge of public records law.
• Completion of the Society of American Archivists Digital Archives Specialist certificate program.
• Demonstrated commitment in applying race and social justice lens to policies and program management.

• Demonstrated knowledge of professionally accepted archival standards in all core areas and knowledge of professional records management procedures.
• Knowledgeable about all preservation and processing of all archival formats including photographs audio moving images maps and drawings.
• Certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Total Compensation and Benefits This position is classified as a Manager-Legislative and is exempt from the Seattle Civil Service System. The full salary range for this classification is $104567.04 - $187105.68 annually ($50.08 - $89.61 hourly). The starting salary range for this individual role has been identified as $135000 - $140000 annually. Additionally the City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation holiday and sick leave as well as medical dental vision life and long-term disability insurance for employees. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: Environment The Legislative Department has implemented a four-days in-office policy and this position will primarily be onsite at the Seattle City Hall: 600 Fourth Avenue 3rd Floor Seattle WA. Alternative Work Arrangements may be considered and will be based on operational needs. Why Work at the City The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior our personal commitments and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures unlearn the way things have always been done and provide equitable processes and services. HOW TO APPLY

1. Complete a NEOGOV online application and supplemental questionnaire.
2. Attach a PDF of your cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge skills and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
3. Attach a PDF of your resume.

Applications received without the requested materials will not be considered. If you have any questions please contact Arzu Jamilova HR Analyst at