Job Description

Project Archivist
Position Details:
Agricultural Heritage Museum

Deadline:  September 14, 2026

Salary Range: $23.55-$26.50, depending upon qualifications, plus benefits

12 Months; 100% time

Join the Agricultural Heritage Museum as a Project Archivist and play a key role in preserving and expanding access to our historical collections. This temporary, two-year position will oversee the project of cataloging and digitization of a 40,000-photograph collection. This includes working with the Collections Coordinator in developing a processing plan and establishing an achievable timeline. We are seeking a detail-oriented professional with strong leadership skills who thrives in a collaborative environment.

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum’s mission is to inspire a passion for the diverse history, culture, and science of agriculture in South Dakota. Its vision is to connect multi-generational audiences to the importance of agriculture to their daily lives. It is the official State museum for preserving the history of agriculture and rural life of South Dakota as well a department of South Dakota State University. It.

This position is located in the historic Stock Judging Pavilion on the SDSU campus in Brookings, South Dakota.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.  Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities:
·         Arrange, describe, preserve, catalog and digitize visual materials in accordance with professional archival standards and national best practices.

·         Supervise student assistants and interns.

Benefits:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of:
·         Working in archives, museums, or other cultural heritage settings

·         Professional standards and best practices for digitization, digital asset management, and preservation of photographic materials. Experience Arranging and describing archival collections and creating archival descriptions and metadata using professional standards and schema, such as DACS and Dublin Core

Skills & Ability to:
·         Organize, prioritize, and maintain attention to detail while managing multiple projects and records.

·         Digitize photographs and negatives and manage digital files in accordance with established professional standards and best practices

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as critical thinking and active listening abilities.

·         Use basic computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases at a proficiency level.

·         Train, direct, and delegate work assignments.

·         Ability to lift boxes weighing over 40 pounds, climb ladders while carrying boxes, and push or pull fully loaded carts.

Preferred: 2 years of experience in photograph processing.

Application Procedures:
SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu/postings/48619, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

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