Archive & Photo Collections Specialist

Archive & Photo Collections Specialist

Salary

$56,500.00 - $65,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

GCA08118_06.26

Department

History Colorado

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/20/2026 11:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, USA

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

hc_hr_inbox@state.co.us

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants.

As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state's history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs. We're also home to a free public research center, Colorado's Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation's largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State's collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.

We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We're committed to Colorado's diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we're succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. Its our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.

In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:

• Being in Community

• Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

• Co-creation and Shared Authority

• Humility and Reflection

• Responsiveness and Flexibility

• Shared Destiny

We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

If you are considering a career opportunity with the goal of making a difference, consider joining the dedicated people at History Colorado. We offer fantastic benefits including:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans: https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• State of Health employee wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.

Description of Job

History Colorado's Archive and Photo Collections Specialist works with the Head of Collections Management and Registration and colleagues in the Curatorial Services and Collections Access Department, to preserve and care for History Colorado's large holdings of archive and photographic collections. They will work to manage the physical storage and tracking of collections, ensure the best standards of preservation, and work to improve collections accessibility for the organization and public.

Work includes but is not limited to the following:

Collections Stewardship

• Provide high levels of accountability and collections stewardship for entire collection
• Rehouse new archival and photographic acquisitions brought into the collection by curatorial staff
• Work to improve current collections storage conditions and formats
• Conduct regular inventories of collections based on need and project demands
• Work with staff to manage large and small collections projects such as surveys, moves, rehousing, conservation/preservation priorities, etc.
• Work with various equipment to create archival quality scans of documents, maps, photographs, negatives, and other formats
• Provide recommendations and advice on archives management to other staff in the department as well as throughout the organization
• Work closely with History Colorado collections management database, Argus, to improve catalog records and ensure proper tracking of collections
• Periodically help to process new acquisitions of archives and photographs
• Work with Head of Collections Management and Registration to create, implement, and uphold policies and procedures
• Provide high level of project management
• Assist with collections and exhibit projects at community museums throughout the state

Outreach and Engagement

• Contribute towards the department's various outreach and engagement efforts
• Provide behind the scenes collections storage tours
• Periodically travel to destinations across the state for outreach events and programs
• Create programming for any of the department's established programs, including Museum Connections, How-To, and Meet the Collection

Supervision

• Supervise contractors, interns, and volunteers

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This position is advertised in line with the Governor's executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's degree in Museum Studies, History, Art History, Library Science (or related degree) with a minimum of 1 year of practical museum experience OR Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of relevant practical experience
• Ability to obtain a valid Colorado driver's license

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Handling, storage, and experience with large collections or high volumes of activity at a medium to large institution (or comparable experience)
• Experience working with a range of collection types
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with collections management databases, metadata standards, and cataloging standards common to museums and archives, strong experience with Argus preferred
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Colorado history and history of the American West
• Knowledge of museum collection standards and conservation practices including the standard agents of deterioration, their effects on different types of artifacts, and how to best mitigate their effects (theft, fire, water, temperature, relative humidity, pests, light, contaminants, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven application of collections management skills and inventory, survey, and inventory projects

• Strong ability to make decisions, be self-directing and work independently, and show motivation

• High level of proficiency with collections management databases

• Strong storage organization skills

• Collections management experience with large collections or high volumes of activity at a medium to large institution (or experience that is comparable)

• Experience in project management, meeting deadlines, and flexible multi-tasking in a fast-paced and sometimes ever-changing environment

• Innovative and/or motivated approaches for collections outreach and providing access to collections, especially with workflow

• Effective communication and cooperation with other museum staff, especially curatorial staff

• Ability to direct collections management tasks or make comparable decisions with or in absence of a supervisor

Factors to be Evaluated:

• Technical Competence - Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience - Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit - Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

Supplemental Information

This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for History Colorado within Colorado.

History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in our grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position. To see these virtues click this link: (Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues).

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.

Fair Pay & Compensation: History Colorado is committed to pay equity. The posted salary range represents our good faith estimate for this role. Final offers are determined by a comprehensive salary analysis in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, considering factors such as a candidate's relevant experience, education, work location and internal equity.

ADAAA Accommodations: History Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the ADAAA, we provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that applicants with disabilities can participate fully in the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to complete the application, participate in an interview, or perform any other part of the selection process, please contact our ADAAA Coordinator at Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email Jesus.l.garcia@state.co.us. We are here to ensure you have a positive and accessible experience.

E-Verify Participation: We utilize E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new team members. Following your job offer, youll need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by your start date. Per federal regulations, we'll also need to review your original identity and work eligibility documents within your first three days on the job. For more details on your rights and responsibilities, check out dhs.gov/e-verify.

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

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History Colorado staff has been working together in response to the events that happened in 2020 to discuss as an institutional community the ways in which History Colorado can advance the work of anti-racism. These grounding virtues are the result of our collective process. Please go to the link below to see the virtues (https://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2020/Anti-Racism_Grounding_Virtues.pdf) and tell us: how have these guiding principles shown up in your previous work and/or how would you contribute to these virtues in your position at History Colorado?

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/