Archivist/Collections Manager for Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC)

Our mission is to preserve, promote and present surfing’s heritage and cultural impact. 

History

In the mid-1990s founders Dick Metz and Spencer Croul’s worlds combined. Both surf historians and collectors met at a surf auction, each there to build upon their extensive collections of surf boards and artifacts.  Both passionate about the restoration and the archival importance of their combined collections, they had an overwhelming desire to showcase this to the world. Hence the seeds of the formation of the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center known to many as SHACC, were sown.

Over the years SHACC has had opportunities to showcase their unique collections highlighted in 2015 with its exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Art History. Playing a crucial role in local history SHACC’s most recent exciting announcement is its expansion with donated additional exhibit space as the cornerstone of the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor, which breaks ground in 2022.

Position Description

SHACC is surfing’s premier surf museum with $4 million in assets, including surfboards, photos (digital, hard copies, negatives and slides), oral histories, books, magazines, periodicals, artwork, wall posters, film and video music, surf attire (Aloha shirts, tees, bathing suits, trunks, wetsuits, etc.), skateboards, and items from other board sports that were “birthed” through surfing.

We are beginning the process of cataloging our assets into an upgraded, searchable database.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead SHACC into its bright future by creating an overall master plan for all artifacts as SHACC prepares to expand into a new museum space at the Dana Point Harbor while transforming the current location into an archival research center, which will also house artifacts not currently on display at the museum.

Responsibilities/Essential Duties:

  • Report to and interface well with Executive Director

  • Migrate SHACC’s databases from Collective Access, Canto and Excel to a standard research/library software that will be accessible and researchable via library and academic systems.

  • Ability to assess which database(s) will suit SHACC’s needs

  • Manage configuration of new database/management system according to our requirements and facilitate relationship with selected vendor(s) and/or consulting partners

  • Set up a system to track when and where artifacts are on loan to other museums

  • Respond to staff requests for accessing assets

  • Work with SHACC’s historical experts to identify and become familiar with SHACC’s artifacts

  • Tag SHACC’s artifacts, photos, etc. with database information, including storage location and value

  • Input data into new software and possibly oversee lower level employee to assist

  • Apply for grants that offer financial assistance for costs related to implementing new archival systems

  • Collaborate with IT to troubleshoot automations, integrations, and network issues related to archives

  • Implement policies and safeguards to keep digital assets secure and ensure necessary backups

  • Establish and implement new general policies and procedures for digitization, metadata creation, and digital asset workflows within the museum

  • Facilitate development of integrations between the new asset management system and other institutional systems

  • Administer user accounts and design and maintain security permissions

  • Design and implement efficient ways of sharing data with third party and aggregator websites

  • Train staff on software use and monitor the system for adherence to policy

  • Assist with curation or curate as needed

  • Assist in all aspects of museum and donor events

  • Ability to handle, carry, and move assets, including surfboards or other artifacts of various shapes and sizes (unless large or heavy)

  • Manage and coordinate all aspects of long-term storage of artifacts, including designing and implementing new construction of storage area

Minimum Qualifications:

  • MLIS/MLS degree from an ALA-accredited institution plus 2 years’ experience, or equivalent experience and professional training

  • Experience in digital asset management, collections management, accessions and possibly deaccessions

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Passion and familiarity with surfing and its history, and willingness to absorb surfing’s history and the role that SHACC’s assets play in it

  • Basic familiarity with Collective Access, Canto and Excel, i.e., this is how our assets are currently managed

  • Collaborative and collegial attitude

  • Experience working with a variety of stakeholders

  • Excellent knowledge of and aptitude for computers and software, including scripting and command line management

  • Interest in developing technical and project management skills

  • Ability to work as a solo archivist

  • Excellent self-organizational skills

  • Ability to stay on task while interfacing with wide variety of day to day operations

Compensation:

Starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience.

APPLY HERE

The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer