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Oral History Project Archivist, Brooklyn Historical Society, New York City, NY

Posted May 22, 2018

Job Opening Title: Oral History Project Archivist

Institution/Organization Name: Brooklyn Historical Society

Job Location (City, State, Province, Country): Brooklyn, New York, USA

Link to job posting: http://www.brooklynhistory.org/about/job.html#Oral_History_Archivist

Brooklyn Historical Society seeks an Oral History Project Archivist to process and describe a new oral history collection of roughly 50 interviews. Reporting to the Managing Director of Library & Archives and working closely with the Oral Historian, the successful candidate will be responsible for processing and describing the Muslims in Brooklyn oral history collection according to established project procedures and best practices for in-house and online access.

Muslims in Brooklyn is a two-year, public history project to amplify stories of Brooklyn’s diverse Muslim communities. For well over a century, Muslims have lived, worked, and prayed in Brooklyn, making it a major center of Muslim life for NYC and the nation. As such, the histories and experiences of Brooklyn’s Muslim communities hold great resonance for national conversations on religious diversity and pluralism. Over the course of this project, BHS will produce the following: a collection of oral histories and primary source records, a web-based educational curriculum, Educational programs, an arts-focused exhibition, dynamic public programming, dedicated segments in BHS’s Flatbush + Main podcast series, and a comprehensive publication. Together, these elements will provide learning experiences, challenge assumptions, and promote understanding about Brooklyn’s rich ethnic and religious heritage.

Using ArchivesSpace to create EAD finding aids according the standards set forth in BHS’s oral history and archival processing manuals, the Archivist will be responsible for exporting that descriptive record from ASpace to BHS’s online oral history portal. Each interview will be described at the interview-level within ASpace using archival standards for description and subject access, and synced using the Oral History Metadata Synchronizer (OHMS). The archivist will also be responsible for updating and maintaining procedures and policies; and additional responsibilities may include supervising of two oral history interns, and supporting reference services during the library’s open hours, including at least 1 Saturday per quarter.

Responsibilities

  • Audit audio recordings and review transcripts.
  • Complete synchronization of audio recordings to transcripts/indices using Oral History Metadata Synchronizer (OHMS) tool.
  • Create a finding aid and publish to NYU Finding Aid Portal.
  • Manipulate item-level catalog records in order to import into Oral History Portal.

Qualifications:

  • Masters in Library and Information Science, or equivalent degree, with a specialization in archival studies and audio/visual materials.
  • Previous experience working with CMS and ILS systems; familiarity with WordPress content management systems; experience specifically with ArchivesSpace
  • Familiarity with MARC and EAD; AACR2 and DACS; and with the use and application of standardized vocabularies.
  • Experience working with digital assets, specifically audio and video.
  • Familiarity with new archival and digital humanities technology such as OHMS.
  • Ability to work in library stacks in cold temperatures (60-65 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to an eight-hour workday, three days a week.
  • Strong organization and time-management skills; attention to accuracy and detail is essential.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to ensure that work is accomplished in a timely and accurate manner

Preferred qualifications

  • 2-3 years post-MLS archival processing and description experience, including an understanding of pragmatic and efficient processing procedures.
  • Familiarity and/or interest in histories of Brooklyn neighborhoods, New York City, and / or the histories of Muslims in Brooklyn.
  • Knowledge of oral history best practices; familiarity with OHMS.

Compensation
Dependent upon qualifications and experience. Position is a 5-month, grant-funded, part- time position (29 hours/week @ $25/hour).

To Apply
Please email a cover letter, resume, and salary requirement to [email protected] with a subject line of Oral History Processing Archivist [last name]. Applications will be reviewed immediately. No phone calls please.

About Brooklyn Historical Society
Founded in 1863, Brooklyn Historical Society is a nationally-recognized urban history center dedicated to preserving and encouraging the study of Brooklyn’s extraordinary and complex history. BHS is a vibrant museum, a world-renowned research library, a cutting-edge education center, and a hub for community dialogue. Located in a landmark 1881 building designed by architect George Browne Post, BHS welcomes both residents and visitors from around the world to learn about Brooklyn’s past, present, and future.

For more information on our oral history collections, visit
http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/library-collections/oralhistory
Brooklyn Historical Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Brooklyn Historical Society is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of any mental, physical, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.

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