Communities and Cultures Archivist, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Posted December 9, 2021
The San Diego State University (SDSU) Library invites applications and nominations for a 12-month, tenure-track position to be appointed at the Senior Assistant or Associate Librarian level (depending on experience), with an anticipated start date on or before July 1, 2022. The Communities and Cultures Archivist will provide expertise and leadership as part of the Special Collections and University Archives team to promote the acquisition, preservation, and use of archival materials. The successful candidate will partner with Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and immigrant communities in San Diego and the Imperial Valley region to identify, preserve, and provide access to archival collections documenting their histories, cultures, and experiences. We seek a creative, collaborative, and forward-looking colleague who can complement, strengthen, and expand partnerships across library departments and with colleagues across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, and the Division of Information Technology. More information about the SDSU Library is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/.
The SDSU Library supports, promotes, and extends the distinctive teaching, learning, scholarship, and community engagement initiatives of the university, especially as those are highlighted in the university strategic plan, “We Rise, We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives.” Committed to service and student-centered innovation in librarianship, recent library initiatives include the establishment of the Digital Humanities Center, build IT makerspace, and partnerships around student success, including the establishment of the Latinx Resource Center. Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) holds more than 600 archival collections and 80,000 books, many of which document diverse local and regional communities. More information about SCUA is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/scua.
SDSU is a large, public, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution located on Kumeyaay land with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university honors its residence on Kumeyaay land in its land acknowledgement and commitment to building a relationship with Indigenous peoples. The Library recently embarked on a new initiative to expand its Black Studies Collection and create a dedicated space for the collection. The SDSU Library has adopted a Diversity Plan (https://library.sdsu.edu/diversity/library-plan) to guide our efforts to realize an institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To meet the goals of this plan, we seek applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request.
Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education.
Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of these criteria.
The SDSU Library Diversity Statement is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/about-us/sdsu-library-diversity-statement
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Communities and Cultures Archivist will:
- Manage the acquisition, arrangement, processing and description of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered archival collections and cultural heritage materials
- Evaluate metadata and access points for accurate and culturally sensitive description of all materials
- Evaluate existing collections for appropriate and accurate stewardship
- Take responsibility for collection development in relevant areas, as assigned
- Provide specialized community-centered research assistance, primary source, and archival literacy instruction
- Curate exhibits and develop curriculum-integrated programming and outreach around BIPOC collections and issues
- Collaborate with the University Tribal Liaison, the Chicana and Chicano Studies Archives Advisory Committee, and relevant academic departments and centers on campus
- Foster partnerships with Black, Latinx, Indigenous and immigrant communities and cultural institutions in San Diego to develop community-centered projects
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program or international equivalent
- Two years experience working in an archival setting
- Knowledge of archival theory and best practices
- Knowledge of copyright, privacy laws, and archival ethics
- Demonstrated sensitivity towards matters of confidentiality and privacy
- Demonstrated experience teaching with primary sources
- Demonstrated experience with community outreach/relations
- Familiarity with ArchivesSpace or other archival content management systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of the Protocols of Native American Archival Materials
- Knowledge of anti-racist archival theory and description
- Experience working with San Diego communities
- Experience with multimedia archives
- Grant-writing experience
This is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position. Tenure is dependent upon continuing library service effectiveness, professional growth and development, and service to the library, University, and community. Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement package, and 24 vacation days per year. For more information, see https://bfa.sdsu.edu/hr/jobs/benefits
How to Apply:
This position will remain open until filled. Review will begin immediately, with preference given to applications received by January 7, 2022. Applicants must apply via Interfolio at the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/99809. Anticipated start date is July 2022.
Established in 1897, San Diego State University is part of the California State University, one of the largest and most diverse public higher education systems in the United States. With more than 36,000 students and 5,000 staff and faculty, SDSU is designated as a Doctoral / Research-Intensive University by the Carnegie Foundation. SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 96 areas, masters in 86, and doctorates in 24. Our campus community is diverse in many ways and we strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. For more information, see https://www.sdsu.edu/.
Candidates should submit an application, cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement demonstrating commitment to diversity in library, museum, community, or cultural center service, and names and contact information of three (3) references.
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.