Service Manager for Archives and Special Collections Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Posted February 28, 2023

Job Summary

Harvard Library seeks a collaborative, innovative, and self-motivated individual for the newly created Service Manager for Archives and Special Collections Systems role. The Service Manager will be embedded within Archives, Arts, and Special Collections of Harvard Library (AASC), a recently conceived administrative unit comprising the Fine Arts Library, the Harvard Film Archive, Harvard University Archives, Houghton Library, and the Eda K. Loeb Music Library. Situated within AASC Technical Services, the incumbent will coordinate use and support of systems for managing archives and special collections across the AASC special collections and archives community as well as Harvard Library repositories based in professional schools and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. While the position is defined as system agnostic, it would be expected to support users of Aeon, ArchivesSpace, Hollis for Archival Discovery, and other current and future systems. This is a highly collaborative role that will rely on successful partnerships with multiple stakeholders including library staff, IT, and product vendors in order to build a program of support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of these heavily used systems. This is an exciting opportunity to work collectively across multiple units to enhance discovery and access to archives and special collections.

Duties and Responsibilities

User Support (40%)

Support staff users of archives and special collections systems: triage, troubleshoot, and track issues that arise in daily use.
Coordinate and communicate with user communities and other stakeholders about plans for system upgrades, system maintenance, and training opportunities.
Generate standard and custom reports that will provide repositories with information necessary for assessment, data normalization, use statistics, and more.
Develop policies, procedures, and a community of practice around system usage, which may include interaction with data through APIs and implementing best practices for metadata input.

System Maintenance and Enhancement (20%)

Clearly and transparently communicate priorities to stakeholders and to partners in technology development (e.g. Harvard Library IT, Atlas Systems, Lyrasis).
Determine user testing priorities and coordinate work with Harvard Library UX and Discovery.
Develop and implement communication plans for sharing information on Harvard Library system issues, upgrades, and proposed development.
Assess system performance and usability from the staff perspective.

Training and Documentation (20%)

Develop and lead training for new and existing users.
Introduce and onboard user communities to new features and functionality.
Maintain and enhance central user documentation.

Collaboration and Professional Development (20%)

Meet regularly with the Harvard Library user community working groups, Library IT, Library UX and Discovery, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Communicate with external vendors in order to maximize the value of the systems for the benefit of the Harvard Library community of users.
Maintain an up-to-date understanding of archives and special collections systems, track developments for systems currently in use, and follow trajectory of systems for potential future use.

Basic Qualifications

M.L.S. from an ALA-accredited academic program required.
Minimum of three years experience using archives and special collections systems for collection management, circulation, and description in a research library setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of archival standards and principles, including DACS and EAD, as well as data interoperability and metadata exchange between systems.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Demonstrated experience accessioning or processing archival collections.
Demonstrated experience interacting with users of special collections and/or experience implementing accessible and intuitive end-user design.
Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and issues in academic libraries, higher education, and relevant subject disciplines.
Scripting or other automation tools/methods, structured query language (SQL).
Prior experience as an agile product owner desired.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism.
Demonstrated ability to manage time and tasks independently and complete projects in a timely manner.
Ability to manage a broad variety of tasks in response to shifting priorities and changing constraints.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment and to interact effectively with a broad variety of personnel within and outside of the department.

Working Conditions

The position is based on onsite in Cambridge, MA. There may be the opportunity for a flexible or hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University flexwork policies. Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs.

To Apply

To view the full job description and apply, please visit: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?PageType=JobDetails&partnerid=25240&siteid=5341&Areq=61603BR#jobDetails=1986216_5341