Archivist, Recorded Sound Collections

About the position

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has an opening for a full-time, exempt Archivist, Recorded Sound Collections in our Museum Services department. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The museum collects artifacts that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music while providing diverse learning opportunities. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its emergence as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to ultra-contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents. The museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and many others recorded.

Responsibilities

• Physical processing of published and unpublished recorded sound collections in a variety of formats
• Digitization of historic recorded sound materials (grooved discs, magnetic tape, optical discs)
• Creation of descriptive metadata for inclusion in online digital archive
• Research, curate, and edit recorded sound materials for the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, social media, and website
• Manage internal and external use of collection materials including requests for research, publication, and licensing
• Creation of original and copy cataloging MARC records for recorded sound materials
• Appraise and acquire sound recordings to develop the collection
• Steward relationships with other archives, donors, and researchers
• Supervise interns or temporary staff, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Degree in a relevant field (Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, or Public History with an emphasis in media archival management and preservation)
• Three years of professional experience working with recorded sound collections in a library, archive, or museum
• Working knowledge of current and historic recorded sound formats, their signs of deterioration and individual preservation requirements
• Working knowledge of archival and digitization standards for recorded sound collections
• Experience with industry-standard digital asset management systems and metadata standards
• Demonstrated expertise with obsolete recorded sound playback equipment
• Proficiency with recorded sound digitization hardware and audio editing and restoration software
• Familiar with the principles of appraisal and collection development for recorded sound collections
• Experience with the creation of original and copy cataloging records
• Familiarity with the history of country music and key figures within the genre

Nice-to-haves

• Experience providing recorded sound content for museum exhibitions
• Working knowledge of country music and its ever-evolving history
• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly use of archival collections and of current developments in the field
• Knowledge of copyright laws pertaining to recorded sound content
• Established professional relationships in the library/archives/museum field

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (13) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities