Photographer

Photographer

The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) invites applications for a full-time Archival Photographer. The successful candidate will perform photographing and imaging of MTHS Library & Archives collections and MTHS Museum art and artifacts collections. The images created are used for the Society's online research tools, as well as books, magazine publications, film and media productions, and other public reproduction requests. The photographer also photographs Society events, historical buildings and sites, and provides other original photography required for documentation, publication, and publicity.

The MTHS, guardian of Montana's memories is in beautiful Helena, Montana. We work to preserve the past, share our stories, and inspire exploration, to provide meaning for today and a vision for tomorrow.

Duties

• Uses flatbed scanners, high-resolution digital imaging cameras and specialized imaging software to make master scans of Library and Archives materials including fragile photographs (glass negatives, film negatives, and vintage prints), maps, journals, and documents in accordance with the Library and Archives digitization guidelines to produce archival quality prints and high-resolution digital images.
• Photograph art and artifacts in the museum collections in a studio setting using high-resolution camera, various lenses, and strobe lighting system.
• Using specialized imaging software, adjusts and manages scanned digital images to create reproductions that represent as accurately as possible the visual information in the original object.
• Plans, organizes, and executes photographic location shoots to document events, places, buildings, or historic sites for publicity use, Photo Archives collections, or for publication.
• Uses printers, software, and photographic papers to produce high-quality prints for patron orders, specialized exhibits, reference prints, and for the collections.
• Reviews prints to select the best image for each purpose and to assure accurate representation of original materials and images.
• Manages the various operations of the photographic lab which includes ordering supplies and equipment, maintaining existing equipment, keeping lab and studio area organized and clean.
• Supervises the work of student interns and volunteers in the lab.

Competencies
Knowledge of:

• Photography including the processes for capturing and duplicating images using cameras and other digital equipment.
• Historical photographic materials and their care and handling.
• Digital scanning equipment, digital imaging techniques, and software for scanning historical materials to produce high-resolution digital images.

Skills In

• Operation of high-resolution digital cameras, scanners, and lighting systems to create professional quality images of historical collection materials.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability To

• Carefully handle and digitize glass negatives, photographic prints, and nitrate and other film negatives to produce high-quality and historically accurate reproductions.
• Communicate both simple and complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, to people with various degrees of knowledge of photography and digital imaging.
• Use a variety of printers and photographic papers to produce high-quality prints both for the public and for the collection.
• Use professional image editing and management software to produce and maintain high resolution digital images.
• Plan and organize large scale projects of in-house digitization, museum art and artifact photography, and site-specific photography in the field for book publications, museum, and photo archives collections.

Minimum Physical/Mental Requirements

• Some travel required.
• Visual acuity required.
• May require lifting or carrying heavy equipment.
• May require standing, sitting, or remaining still for long periods of time.

Typical Work Environment

• Work occurs at various locations, indoors and outdoors.

The following documents must be submitted to be considered for this position (be sure to mark each attachment as relevant):

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• State of Montana Application (online)
• Digital Portfolio – 6 – 12 images – examples of documentary photography of events, buildings, and/or sites along with images of commercial photography of products, art, artifacts, or objects.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in photography

Experience

• Five years of job-related work experience.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: Not Applicable

Salary: $

Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

: 1 Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type

: Standard

Shift

: Day Job

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

: Helena

Agency: Montana Historical Society Union: Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

: Aug 25, 2025, 3:51:15 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)

: Sep 14, 2025, 5:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name: Beth Strandberg | Contact Email: | Contact Phone: The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.