Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops, arranges and describes archival collections in accordance with accepted standards and practices.
- Creates finding aids using contemporary tools in accordance with national standards and insures the quality of finding aids created by other staff.
- Creates online finding aids using Encoded Archival Description (EAD) or other contemporary tools.
- Develops and implements procedures for the acquisition, processing, digitization, and preservation of archival materials.
- Advises and assists researchers in the use of archival materials in research activities; interprets requirements and consults on archival information.
- Interacts with donors of archival collections both internal and external to the organization.
- Appraises potential collection additions and makes recommendations for acquisition of new collections and de-accessioning of existing collections.
- Participates in development and implementation of policies and standards for the archives.
- Hires, supervises and trains lower level staff, student employees, volunteers, and/or interns, as appropriate.
- Promotes collections through online exhibits, publications, presentations, instructional sessions, and other outreach activities.
- Participate in the collection of oral histories as appropriate.
- Maintains professional knowledge base and skills through continued education and/or research; may represent library at conferences and meetings.
- Provides guidance in identifying and soliciting funds, including grant proposal writing, as appropriate.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
- Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Skill in the use of computer with Windows-based operating environment.
- Ability to develop and maintain finding aids using contemporary tools in accordance with national standards.
- Knowledge of archival and preservation concepts, methodology, and techniques.
- Ability to interpret and evaluate client informational needs and to determine appropriate alternative solutions.
- Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
- Ability to effectively communicate and foster a cooperative work environment.
- Substantial knowledge of research methodology and skill in providing research assistance.
- Knowledge of archival ethics and laws relating to archival management.
- Knowledge of the historical contexts governing archival operations.
- Knowledge of basic skills in web application software or markup language such as XML or other contemporary tools
- Ability to make evaluative judgments.
- Knowledge of automated storage and retrieval systems, electronic records, and electronic publications.
- Ability to hire, supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
- Skill in searching and maintaining online and other electronic retrieval systems.
- Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.
- Knowledge of library theory, concepts, methods, and techniques.
- Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures.
- Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
- Knowledge of available sources of archival materials.
- Ability to assess objectives and operational requirements and to develop and implement suitable operational policies and/or procedures.
- Ability to identify and secure alternative funding through grants and other revenue sources.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Position requires:
- Knowledge of archival concepts, methodology and techniques;
- Establishing procedures for archival collection;
- Performing research, identification and evaluation/appraisal of potential archived collections;
- Utilization of detailed knowledge of collections to prepare descriptions and finding aids;
- Developing and implementing procedures for the acquisition, processing and preservation of archival materials;
- Performing outreach in the solicitation of donors and acquisition of collections.
Required Travel: Willingness to travel 20% of the time to remote areas of the country.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.