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Head of Archives, Royal British Columbia Museum Deadline: September 14, 2021 11:59 PST

31 Aug 2021 2:39 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Head of Archives

Royal British Columbia Museum


Location: Victoria, BC

Compensation: $92,700.24  - $123,200.20  per annum


The Royal BC Museum, situated on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations), is one of Canada’s great cultural treasures. Our collections, research and presentations enable us to
tell the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. 

By exploring our human history and natural history, the Royal BC Museum advances new knowledge and understandings of BC, and provides for a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection.  

We care for over 7 million objects and specimens, 28 kilometres of government and private records,  substantial photographic, audio and video collections documenting the stories of the province; artworks; and an extensive library of publications. Through research and learning, we strive to broaden understanding about our province and inspire curiosity and wonder. We are passionate about sharing British Columbia’s story with the millions of visitors who walk through our doors, interact with the collections, participate in research and explore our websites each year. 

The Royal British Columbia Museum and Archives is one of Canada’s great cultural treasures. Our collections, research and public programs enable us to tell the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire.    

The BC Archives is the provincial archives; preserving and making accessible government and private records including historical photographs, documents, sound recordings, films, maps and publications. The stories these records tell chronicle the experiences of individuals, businesses, families, communities and governments that shape the province.  

The Royal BC Museum is committed to on-going and true community collaboration, building on our existing partnerships and developing new relationships to help communities preserve their own stories, facilitate community dialogue, and bring forth voices often silenced in historical accounts. 

We are working to meet crucial goals outlined in BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action.   

The Head of Archives ensures exceptional stewardship of the archive’s collections through strong personal advocacy and the effective management of both teams and projects. The Head is responsible for maintaining and improving the physical state of collections through the development and implementation of preventive care strategies, forward-looking policies and robust procedures, while enabling various modes of collections access and use.

The Head of Archives oversees the preparations for a collection move to a new Collection and Research Building, scheduled for 2024.   With a deep understanding of archival management and process, a reputation for strategic thinking, and experience in senior management, the Head is able to devise and implement strategic change that supports the vision and mission of the archives and coordinate the varied operations of a dynamic and diverse department. 

If you are a strong leader, excited about moving into a new purpose-built collection building, you live and breathe partnerships and are passionate about caring for and making accessible British Columbia’s collections then
we want to meet you. 

The ideal candidate has a Master’s degree in Archival Studies or Library & Information Science with a specialty in archives or an equivalent combination of training and experience. This is supplemented with a strong understanding of current and potential future trends for archives and how to incorporate them into planning and action.  

This position requires Criminal Records Checks under the BC Public Service Screening Policy and the Criminal Records Review Act and all applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada (have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status).   

The BC Archives is responsible for ensuring the historical records of the province are preserved, managed and made accessible.  The department achieves this through an outstanding team of archivists, collection managers, conservators, access technicians and preservation staff, each of whom works collaboratively with colleagues, the public, academic institutions, ministries, volunteers, community partners, Indigenous communities, Friends of the BC Archives and other stakeholders.

The BC Archives houses the government records of the province in addition to private records of historical significance and is the largest archives repository in Western Canada with holdings that include 28 KM of textual records, over five-million photographs, 100,000 maps and architectural drawings, 15,000 drawings, paintings and prints and the largest collection of audio-visual material in Canada.  

The department is responsible for managing both physical and digital access to collections via a reference room and a digital public collection search.   Under the direction of the Vice President, Collections and Research, and in accordance with the Royal BC Museum’s corporate planning framework (principally the mission, vision, Strategic Roadmap and Collections and Research Strategy), the Head of Archives inspires, promotes, develops, and manages a department that:

• Provides exceptional stewardship of, and access to, the province’s archival collections
• Contributes to audience-focused public programs, exhibitions and websites
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to deepen knowledge and widen understandings of British Columbia
• Prepares the archives collection to move to the new Collection and Research Building in 2024
• Works with Indigenous communities, residential school survivors, their families and other partners to provide access to residential school records 

Please refer to the full job description and selection criteria to ensure your application  addresses the  areas  we  will  be  looking  at  when  assessing suitability for this opportunity.  

An eligibility list may be established for similar permanent and temporary positions over the next 12 months.  Preference will be given to applicants who identify as BIPOC and or persons with disabilities.  

Please submit your application in pdf format by 11:59 pm (PST)
September 14 th, 2021 quoting competition RB2021:22 via email to:  humanresources@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca  

head_archives.pdf




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