Project Archivist for Enhanced Description, Smith College, Northampton, MA
Posted October 30, 2023
Job Summary
As part of a three-year Mellon grant-funded project to expose underutilized and underdescribed materials, the Archivist for Enhanced Description will survey, analyze, and create new or enhance existing description for single-item objects currently held in artificial topical collections. Topics are broad and include women’s rights, slavery and anti-slavery, suffrage, education, music, and abortion. This position reports to the Head of Technical Services for Special Collections.
Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Essential Functions
Collections Survey and Appraisal (40%)
- Under the direction of the Head of Technical Services for Special Collections and in consultation with the Sophia Smith Archivist, plan, design, and execute a survey of materials held in artificial topical collections, and appraise materials for historical significance and research value.
- Perform research relating to collection creators, donors, and historical context to inform decision making and prioritization.
- Identify out-of-scope or duplicative material for transfer or deaccession as appropriate.
- The survey and resulting appraisal will be the primary tool to determine descriptive priorities of the single object items.
Enhanced Description (55%)
- Based on lessons learned from the survey and appraisal of topical collections, determine priorities for enhanced description and generate new or improve existing archival description for rare materials in ArchivesSpace, generally at the item level.
- Apply appropriate creator, subject, and form/genre access points as necessary. Engage in inclusive and reparative descriptive practices and historical contextualization to highlight the presence of underrepresented groups and individuals in topical collections.
- Some physical re-arrangement or rehousing may be required, but physical processing is not a core activity for the project.
Other Functions (5%):
- Other duties as assigned include participating in meetings, joint decision making, and reporting related to the project.
All employees are expected to participate in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)
- Master’s degree in Library Science or related field with archival experience required.
- Minimum two years professional archival experience required.
Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Specific experience in collection surveying and appraisal or accessioning strongly preferred.
- Education in the humanities, especially 20th Century U.S. history or women’s history is a plus.
Skills
- Knowledge of relevant archival standards and frameworks (DACS required; MARC and others a plus).
- Fluency with ArchivesSpace preferred.
- Knowledge of US History and familiarity with US women’s history preferred. Experience with or understanding of the principles of reparative and inclusive description preferred.
- Excellent research and communication (verbal and written) skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and analytical skills.
- Ability to work in a team-based environment as well as be self-motivated.
- Ability to adapt to, and thrive in, a quickly-changing work environment.
Additional Information and How to Apply:
using the link below:
This is a 3-year fixed-term position.
Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.
You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.
Review of applications will beginNovember 27, 2023
Compensation Grade:Grade J
Position Type:Fixed Term