Processing Archivist and Cataloger

Department

AHD Staff: CMS - South Side Movie Project

About the Department

Founded in 2005 by Dr. Jacqueline Stewart, the South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) is dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, exhibiting, and researching the rich tapestry of home movies created by Chicago's South Side residents. More than just an archive, SSHMP empowers individuals and families to share their cherished memories and unique perspectives, creating an unparalleled visual record. We ensure the vibrant cultures and evolving narratives of the South Side are preserved for generations to come and celebrated as a vital thread in the history of the city of Chicago.

Today, SSHMP holds more than 1,200 reels of small-gauge film – 16mm, 8mm, and Super-8mm footage shot by South Siders spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s. As part of UChicago’s Arts + Public Life, the South Side Home Movie Project goes far beyond traditional archival boundaries, acting as a cultural steward that brings together a community of donors, students, artists, practitioners, and neighbors to explore a wide range of educational and creative reuse initiatives.

Job Summary

The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) seeks a part-time Processing Archivist for a two-year term to support the implementation of its Getty Foundation-funded project, Black Visual Arts in Motion: Activating Mid-20th Century Home Movies from Chicago’s South Side. This project focuses on processing and describing the Ramon Williams Collection and identifying key figures and events from the Black Chicago Renaissance. SSHMP is a community-centered archival initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, and making accessible home movies created by residents of Chicago’s South Side, advancing a vital visual record of underrepresented histories.

Working under the supervision of SSHMP leadership, including the Project Director and Project Manager, the Processing Archivist and Cataloger will play a central role in processing, digitizing, and describing audiovisual materials. The position is responsible for ensuring that materials are preserved, described, and made publicly accessible in alignment with professional archival standards and SSHMP’s community-centered stewardship model.

This position is for the term of 9/01/2026 to 8/31/2028. A hybrid position, most work will be conducted on-site at Logan Center for the Arts, with the option to work remotely up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Inspects, cleans, repairs, digitizes, and creates access files for the majority of the remaining Ramon Williams films, with assistance from the Project Manager. This includes conducting inventory and condition assessments, preparing film materials for digitization workflows, and coordinating specialized preservation processes when required.
• Creates, edits, and manages metadata records for audiovisual materials using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary. Conducts research to identify people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films, ensuring accurate, inclusive, and context-rich descriptions.
• Ingests digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and ensures materials are accessible through its online platform. Enhances discoverability through subject tagging, keywording, and descriptive annotations that reflect both scholarly frameworks and community-informed knowledge.
• Performs quality control on digitized files and metadata records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Maintains clear documentation of processing workflows, metadata decisions, and digitization outputs in accordance with grant reporting and sustainability standards.
• Works closely with SSHMP staff to support community-informed archival practices, including reviewing user-generated metadata and preparing materials for public programming, exhibitions, and digital storytelling initiatives.
• Contributes to the development of collection-level and thematic resources, such as finding aids, digital exhibits, or interpretive essays, that enhance public understanding and use of the Ramon Williams Collection.
• Participates in regular project meetings to assess progress, refines workflows, and ensures alignment with grant deliverables.
• Assists with documentation and reporting required by the BVAA grant.
• Supports SSHMP’s broader public programming and Black Visual Arts initiatives, as needed.
• The job performs routine assignments in a library unit in the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources. Resolves processing problems with units
• Identifies and documents preservation needs and, with moderate/high guidance from others, ensures the preservation of library pieces, electronically and digitally.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Degree, preferably in African-American History, art history, Chicago Studies, film studies, or related field.

Experience:

• Skilled in film handling and/or archival collection processing.
• Background in Black visual art history or Chicago public history.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in metadata creation.
• Familiarity with ArchivesSpace, Omeka, or other content management systems.
• Knowledge of digital preservation or digitization workflows.
• Familiarity with non-linear video editing software.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Work independently.
• Excellent organizational, written, and communication skills.
• Commitment to community-centered archival practices and cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrated interest in film, art history, cultural studies, archives, or public history.
• Strong attention to detail.

Working Conditions

• Perform fine motor skills.
• Sit for the majority of the day.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Library

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$25.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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