Head of Special Collections, Massachusetts State Library, Boston, MA
Posted November 28, 2022
Description:
The Head of Special Collections is responsible for the Special Collections Department. The Department contains the Library’s most valuable materials and is a repository of information about Massachusetts history and government.
The job of the Head of Special Collections is to provide leadership, planning, and management of the Library’s special collections, focusing on promotion, preservation, and development and ensures that the collection is available to the public, is preserved for future generations of users, and grows in rational directions. The Head ensures that the physical plant protects the collection from harmful physical conditions so that long term access is assured. The Head engages in active outreach to reinforce the importance of primary resource material; provides research and access to the collections; and assists in planning and implementation of new technologies. Responsibilities also include innovative programming and presentations; engagement in donor activities; is involved in materials acquisition and works with various historical agencies and institutions to acquire appropriate items. The Head of Special Collections reports to the State Librarian.
Minimum Salary: $35,247.68
Maximum Salary: $105,498.74
Specific Duties:
- Establishes and administers policies for the Special Collections Department, use of library materials, reproduction of materials, and security of Department.
- Develops and conducts programs of digitization of appropriate holdings of the Special Collections.
- Formulates, directs, and administers policy and program related to records management and information retrieval.
- Coordinates and oversees the collection development, preservation, and management of collections.
- Applies current archival standards for appraisal, selection, and description of archival records in all formats.
- Participates in meetings of the Library Management Team to discuss policy and projects for the Library.
- Contributes to development and enhancement of State Library website.
- Supervises and coordinates staff workflow and participates in hiring and evaluating staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) four (4) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time,
professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial
experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must
possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the
performance of the position or (B) any equivalent combination of the required
experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the
required experience.
II. An Associate’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the
required experience.
III. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the
required experience.
IV. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the
required experience.
V. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to
have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details
relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants
selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide
documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to
a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
Qualifications:
- Masters in Library Science, with an archives concentration from an American Library Association-accredited institution, or Masters in History or related field
- Minimum of five years of professional experience and accomplishments with increasing responsibility in archive or library
- Experience with all aspects of archival/special collections work
- Strong supervisory and managerial experience
- Demonstrated leadership ability, flexibility, and creativity
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Experience with automated library and archival systems and electronic formats in an
archival setting - Demonstrated knowledge of current standards and best practices for the arrangement
and description of archival and manuscript collections - Knowledge of records management standards and practices, including electronic records
managements - Experience in reference and instructional services
- Experience with exhibition planning, design, and implementation, both digital and physical
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently
To apply for this position please send email and cover letter to: [email protected]