Amherst College: Staff Search: Frost Library
College Archivist
Location: Amherst, MA 01002
Full-time position, salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
Apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/35683
The Amherst College Library seeks a talented archivist to join a collaborative and dynamic team as the College Archivist. Amherst has profoundly transformed its student body in terms of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and nationality, among other areas. Today, nearly one quarter of Amherst’s students consists of Pell Grant recipients, and many more are first-generation students; nearly half of our students are non-immigrant minorities. We seek candidates who have experience working in a multicultural environment and/or are interested in supporting a diverse student body.
The Archives & Special Collections at Amherst College is home to major research collections ranging from the manuscripts of Emily Dickinson, to the archives of Samuel French, Inc., to the Kim-Wait/Eisenberg Native American Literature Collection, and beyond. The extensive archives of college history contain unique documents of social and political change from the early 19th century to the present. In addition to collaborating with outstanding colleagues in the Five Colleges and the wider region, the Archives frequently collaborates with the Emily Dickinson Museum and the staff of the Folger Shakespeare Library. The department plays a vital role in the library’s efforts to teach students how to conduct original archival research.
You will work with a cross-departmental team to (a) to develop and implement an overall strategy for bringing the College Archives and other manuscript and archival collections in line with professional archival standards and best practices, and (b) to support and expand the department’s teaching and outreach program. The College Archivist plays an active role in collection development, records management, digital projects, exhibitions, donor relations, grant writing, and the overall direction of the department. Reports to the Head of the Archives & Special Collections.
Principal duties and responsibilities
In collaboration with the Head of Archives & Special Collections, develops and implements an overall strategy for bringing the College Archives and other manuscript and archival collections in line with professional archival standards and best practices
Creates EAD collection guides, MARC records, and other finding aids in accordance with professional standards and guidelines, such as DACS. Collaborates with the Technical Services department and others to develop policies and workflows for representing manuscript and archival collections in the library’s online discovery system
Collaborates in the development of a records management program that includes the collecting of electronic records
Advocates on behalf of the Archives & Special Collections within the college, as a member of the Five Colleges Consortium, and beyond
Works closely with Amherst College librarians, faculty, and others to connect them with relevant holdings and to identify areas for potential collection development
Teaches classes for Amherst faculty and other groups on how to conduct research with archival collections and primary sources; works with other departments as appropriate
Identifies archival and manuscript collections to be acquired through gift and purchase, in close collaboration with Head of Archives & Special Collections; Cultivates relationships with existing and potential donors
Represents the department in relevant professional organizations (Society of American Archivists, New England Archivists, etc.)
Creates documentation, finding aids, and web guides for physical and digital collections that promote the use of Archives & Special Collections to both local and outside scholarly communities; helps create and mount physical and online exhibits that highlight important aspects of the library’s collections, particularly as they relate to the curriculum and important college events
Supports special projects for Communications department, Alumni and Parent Programs, the Board of Trustees, the College President’s Office, and other departments across campus
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or foreign equivalent with a focus on archives
Minimum of 2 years of experience in a professional position within an archives, special collections, or similar repository
Experience arranging, describing, and preserving archival and manuscript collections
Strong command of archival theory and best practices, especially as they relate to the particular issues posed by born-digital content
Demonstrated knowledge of DACS, EAD, MARC, authority control practices, as well as knowledge of emerging standards for description
Teaching experience
Knowledge of preservation standards and best practices
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a variety of staff in a rapidly changing environment
Commitment to providing responsive and innovative services to a culturally and racially diverse campus
Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to advocate for the library to a variety of constituents; positive customer service orientation
Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with proven success in independently prioritizing work and managing competing deadlines
Strong user-centered approach and knowledge of assessment tools in decision-making
Commitment to work closely with colleagues, undergraduates, faculty, staff, and college administrators
Willingness to tackle challenges in an academic library with energy and enthusiasm, showing patience, tact, and genial charitability
Competence and sensitivity in working at a college in which students are broadly diverse with regard to gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion
Preferred:
Second, subject master’s degree in a relevant field
3-5 years of professional archives experience
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and implement complex projects
Experience accessioning analog and digital materials
Proficiency working with ArchivesSpace and/or other collection management systems
Experience providing reference services in an archives or manuscripts repository
Experience working with college or university records
Experience with records management
Knowledge of strategies developed or adopted by the archival community for managing born-digital archival material
Knowledge of digital preservation principles, and knowledge of digital standards such as PREMIS and OAIS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (e-mail and/or telephone number) for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed until position is filled.
Amherst College is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, persons of color, and persons with disabilities to apply. The College is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.
Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college’s community is composed of about 1,800 students from 49 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college’s scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst a great place to work, learn and live!
Apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/35683