Salary: $2,326.00 – $2,484.62 Biweekly
Division/Section: Customer Experience,History Research Centers
Workdays & Hours: Monday- Saturday, 8am – 8pm* (varies) * Subject to change
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
To Apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/houston/jobs/5491375/archivist-ii-oral-history
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Houston Public Library (HPL) seeks a collaborative, proactive, and community-focused professional with strong organizational and communication skills, as well as a commitment to excellent customer service, to serve as the Archivist II–Oral History Archivist at the African American History Research Center at the Gregory School (AAHRC).
HPL serves a population of 2.2 million citizens through a network of 37 Neighborhood Libraries, three History Research Centers, and a Central Library.
Essential job duties and responsibilities include:
· Serve as the primary archivist responsible for managing and providing stewardship of the oral history collection and audiovisual materials.
· Develop and coordinate oral history projects documenting various historical topics that align with mission of AAHRC.
· Plan, schedule, and conduct oral history interviews and process recordings, including transcription, metadata, rights documentation, for public access.
· Build and maintains oral history partnerships with community organizations, academic institutions, or city departments.
· Develop procedures and workflows for oral history and audiovisual materials.
· Conduct oral history training with community partners and assist in development of educational initiatives.
· Coordinate and supervises volunteers and interns.
· Contribute to community engagement efforts by conducting tours, leading programs, and representing the library and AAHRC at public events.
· Assist in grant writing for audiovisual and oral history materials and participates in grant-funded projects as needed.
· Provide specialized reference services and research assistance to the public in-person and electronically.
· Work one evening per month and a weekend rotation (Saturday/Sunday).
· Other duties as assigned that supports library operations.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a Cover Letter and Resume when applying.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires stooping and bending; lifting of library materials up to 20 pounds. Must be able to move freely throughout the library to file/retrieve library materials. Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Requires an ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library Science or a Master’s degree in History or a related field and one year experience in archival processing, archival collecting, historical research, reference, programming, or a related field.
OR
Requires a Bachelor’s degree plus 18 hours toward an ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library Science or 18 hours toward a Master’s in History or a related field and two years of experience in archival processing, archival collecting, historical research, reference, programming, or a related field. A Master’s degree must be completed within two years from being hired into this classification.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS – Yes
Requires a valid driver license and compliance with the City of Houston’s policy on driving (AP 2-2).
PREFERENCES
- Oral history interview skills (podcast, instruction, journalism, family history research)
- Possesses video and audio editing experience
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Photoshop. Experience with collection management systems such as CONTENTdm and ArchiveSpace is highly preferred.
- Familiarity with archival standards including Dublin Core, EAD, and MARC-AMC.
- Familiar with copyright/digital copyright issues when creating reproductions in an archive setting.
- Experience with digitization, processing born digital archival materials, and working with audiovisual materials also preferred. Knowledge of digital assets management and/or oral history experience highly preferred.
- Training in the archival fields and/or a Certified Archivist (C.A.) is also preferred.
- Customer/Public service experience and ability to plan and organize.
- Experience researching or working within the African American History field, especially within Houston is a plus.
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.