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Employer: State of Washington

Salary: $51,840.00 - $69,744.00 Annually

Location: King County – Bellevue, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Job Number: 25 AR LAP2 2016

Department: Office of the Secretary of State

Division: Archives

Opening Date: 10/23/2025

Closing Date: Continuous

The Washington State Archives preserves and provides access to millions of legal and historical records of our state and local governments. To support government agencies with organizing and transferring both paper and the increasing number of born-digital records, the Washington State Archives is hiring an Acquisitions Archivist for its Puget Sound branch located on the campus of Bellevue College.

The Acquisition Archivist position plays a critical role in appraising, accessioning, arranging and describing archival government records to facilitate public access. This position also supports research services, assists with outreach and serves on Archives teams. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who are excited to join us in ensuring the preservation, and improving the discoverability, of archival records for present and future research. 

 The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; registering corporations and charities; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; and protecting our important government records. Citizens depend on the Archives to research genealogy, state and city history, property transfers, legislative intent, court records, and academic projects. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities statewide.

 
The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Acquisitions Archivist - Library and Archival Professional 2
Full time, Permanent

This position independently performs professional archives and collections management duties at a branch of the Washington State Archives in support of the Archives’ mission to make the state’s archival records available for reference and scholarship and ensure their proper preservation. Day-to-day duties include assisting and determining the disposition of archival records, records processing and preservation, facilitating access to archival materials, and occasional outreach opportunities.

Please note: Interviews for this position will be conducted on an ongoing basis. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at any time.

Special Notes: This position receives an additional 5% geographic assignment pay for being located within King County.

Duties

Acquisition Activities and Collections Management
Tasks include: 

• Independently determines the disposition of archival records through the use of records retention schedules and archival appraisal practices to decide whether records should be accessioned into the collections of the Archives or destroyed. 
• Performs independently the arrangement, description, and weeding projects on archival records.
• Attains or creates proper descriptive information for archival records to ensure intellectual control of the collections and the availability of records.
• Applies professional preservation tools to ensure the long-term lifespan of archival records.
• Coordinates with government agencies to pick up incoming records and ensure the smooth transfer of records to archival storage.
• Utilizes state vehicles, including a van, to pick up records.
• Creates original, and/or updates catalog entries in the Archives collection management software.
• Monitors the physical environment of the Archives to ensure the proper environment for the long-term storage of archival records.  
• Performs projects to ensure records match descriptive information. 
• Using a variety of sources; searches the Archives for any records that are temporarily unlocatable. 
• Follows arrangement and description guidelines and manuals to process archival records.

Archival Research
Tasks include: 

• Provides research services to the public as well as government agencies, consulting manual and electronic collection catalogues to locate archival records.
• Provides copies of archival documents to researchers.
• Monitors the reference room for the security of archival records, publications, and Archives’ equipment. 
• Monitors research use to assure adherence to collections use policies and procedures.

Administrative Activities and Outreach
Tasks include: 

• Compiles statistics and reports on acquisitions, reference services and special projects
• Assists with the workflow and assignments for students, interns and/or volunteers
• Conducts tours of the facility
• Creates and coordinates special projects, initiatives, workshops, presentations, and displays which publicize the role and holdings of the Archives
• Seeks out and speaks at allied professional and target audience functions.

Miscellaneous
Tasks include:

• Stays up-to-date with current trends in the archives and records management profession.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree involving archives and records management, history or related field.
• One year of experience as a professional archivist including duties such as arranging and describing records, making records accessible, digitizing, managing digital records, or records management activities such as interpreting retention schedules, organizing and classifying records and ensuring accessibility and retrieval. 
• Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Collection management experience, including selection, weeding, and record maintenance
• Experience using cataloging, archives, or records management software
• Experience with electronic records 
• Experience providing reference services
• Experience working independently, establishing work priorities and adapting to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities
• Familiarity with digital imaging software and tools
• Experience using standard office software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite
• Certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists and/or completion of the Society of American Archivists Digital Archivist Specialist (DAS) or Arrangement & Description (A&D) Certificate Program.

PLEASE READ: If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that members of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities, specifically women and people of color, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they clearly meet every single qualification. 
                
At the Office of the Secretary of State, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic work force with a foundation of belonging. If you are excited about this role and have relevant experience and skills, but question whether your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply regardless. You may just be the ideal candidate this office needs.