Oral Historian, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Posted January 9, 2020
As a member of the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) staff and reporting to the University Archivist, the Oral Historian will serve as a steward of the oral history collections: researching, conducting, maintaining, and making them accessible to researchers. As an integral part of the SCRC team, they will contribute regularly to the department’s work in patron services, outreach and instructional activities. They will work with Libraries staff, University Advancement, and other campus partners to plan and execute new and ongoing projects, and support the use of oral histories and oral history practice in educational initiatives, and university/community programs and partnerships. The Oral Historian will work closely with staff in Special Collections, Cataloging & Metadata, and Digital Services regarding description, access, storage, and preservation of oral history recordings.
The Oral Historian will be able to undertake and complete assignments promptly, thoroughly, and accurately, and work both independently and collaboratively, in an environment where attention to accuracy and detail is critical. This role includes the supervision of students and volunteers.
Travel and evening and weekend hours will be required. As part of the interview process, candidates will be required to share transcripts or recordings of oral histories that they have completed or in which they participated.
Applicants who apply on or before February 6, 2020 will be given full consideration.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree with a specialization or interest in oral history.
- Knowledge of oral history professional practice, methodology, theory and ethics.
- Demonstrated experience preparing for and conducting oral history interviews.
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of oral history descriptive practices.
- Familiarity with the operation of a research university.
- Experience with project management in a collaborative environment;
- Demonstrated ability to use considerable judgment and initiative; ability to organize and prioritize work; must be detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
To view the full position and apply, please visit the following link.