The LCMS Mission
"In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and world."
Department Profile
As the official department of archives and history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Concordia Historical Institute serves as general advisory agency for historical interests within synodical offices, departments, education institutions and congregations. CHI is charged with preserving and promoting Lutheran history, especially the history surrounding the LCMS. This is done through actively collecting, organizing, cataloging, and preserving relevant documents, photographs, books, artifacts, and fine art—and making these historical items available to inform and inspire the church community.
Reporting Relationships
• The Processing Assistant reports to and has regular consultations with the Archive and Library Manager.
Position Summary
The Archive Processing Assistant is responsible for helping to appropriately process a variety of materials for inclusion in the CHI Archive Collection. This includes the physical organization of the documents, as well as adding information about them to the CHI ArchivesSpace online catalog.
Essential Job Functions
Primary responsibilities include (but not limited to):
- Accurately and efficiently process materials according to Archive Processing Manual.
- Organize a variety of materials being brought into the CHI archive collection into appropriate folders and boxes.
- Enter accurate data about the materials into the archive catalog (ArchiveSpace).
- Making stable photocopies of documents on unstable paper (such as newsprint).
- Create labels for folders and boxes.
- Work well with the Archive and Library Manager.
Secondary responsibilities include:
- Identify and eliminate duplicate material common to other areas of the CHI Archive collection.
- Move processed materials to their permanent assigned locations in the CHI building.
Education and Experience
REQUIRED
- Two years of experience of processing / accessioning archival material.
- User-level competencies with archive cataloging software programs (ArchivesSpace preferred).
- Ability to write clear, accurate, and concise descriptions of archival materials.
- Skills in time management and organization in meeting agreed-upon goals.
- Ability to lift 20 pounds of archival material.
PREFERRED
- Interest and desire to further understanding of Lutheran history and processing / cataloging processes.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)
- Mastery of policies, procedures and guidelines in consistent and accurate processing of a variety of archival materials.
- Active support of the goals, priorities, procedures and initiatives of the Executive Director of the CHI Board of Governors. Active support of making the CHI archive holdings more discoverable/accessible by researchers.
Supervisory Responsibility
• None
Skills Required
- Two years of experience of processing / accessioning archival material
- User-level competencies with archive cataloging software programs (ArchivesSpace preferred)
- Ability to write clear, accurate, and concise descriptions of archival materials
- Skills in time management and organization in meeting agreed-upon goals
- Ability to lift 20 pounds of archival material
- Interest and desire to further understanding of Lutheran history and processing / cataloging processes
- Mastery of policies, procedures and guidelines in consistent and accurate processing of a variety of archival materials
What We Do
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith. Its mission is to vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and deed within its churches, communities, and the world.
