Do you feel a rush when you open an archival box and have no idea what you'll find? Can a handwritten meeting notebook from decades ago hold your attention longer than most novels? Do you believe the past deserves to be preserved properly, and shared in a way people will actually want to explore?

If so, we might be your people.

FWI is supporting the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Office of Administration, the team charged with preserving the history of the agency that has helped shape public transportation in America since 1964. The family of Bob McManus has donated 15 boxes of his personal papers to FTA: official documents, consultant reports, internal manuals, decades of appropriations hearing books, spiral-bound meeting notebooks, and a collection of digital photos. We need a seasoned, detail-driven Senior Archivist/Records Manager to bring that collection to life. This isn't a "scan it and shelve it" kind of role. You'll decide what belongs in FTA's permanent collection, preserve and digitize it, build it into the FTA History Hub, and then turn what you find into web posts, displays, and presentations that tell FTA's story. Few archivists get to start a collection from the box up. This is one of those chances.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025, and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Work Schedule and Location:

On-Site: This full-time  on-site position will work Monday through Friday, Core Hours at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

• Inventory and analyze all 15 boxes of the McManus collection, assessing physical condition and historical value
• Appraise "questionable" items and recommend disposition and whether material should be permanently added to FTA collections
• Apply preservation, storage, and conservation best practices to protect fragile materials
• Digitize photos, maps, and documents, and organize and manage the digital photo files provided by the family
• Load digitized materials into the FTA History Hub and other FTA and DOT systems
• Create indexes, metadata tags, and descriptions that make the collection easy to search and use
• Help FTA employees, transit stakeholders, and the public research and access the collection
• Research the materials to write web posts, articles, displays, and presentations on FTA history
• Support FTA records management efforts as needed, in line with NARA regulations and the Federal Records Act

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or a related field
• 10–15 years of experience in archival work, records management, or historical collections
• Hands-on experience with archival processing: inventory, arrangement, description, and appraisal
• Working knowledge of preservation and conservation practices for paper, photographs, and bound materials
• Experience with digitization standards, digital asset management, and metadata creation
• Familiarity with NARA regulations and the Federal Records Act
• Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to turn archival material into engaging content for general audiences
• Excellent organization and attention to detail, and comfort working independently onsite with a government client

Desired: 

• Master's degree in history, archival studies, library science, public history, or a related field
• Certified Archivist (Academy of Certified Archivists) or Certified Records Manager (ICRM)
• Experience supporting a federal agency history office or archive
• Background in transportation, public policy, or federal government history
• Experience building online exhibits or digital history content

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

$40 to $42.54 hourly, depending on experience, education and clearance level.