Collections Archivist, Hope College, Holland, MI

Posted December 8, 2023

Description:

Hope College seeks a Collections Archivist who is passionate about the power of telling stories through institutional and historical records of the past. This position will work with the traditional processing of archival materials as well as exciting digital projects, and provide support for student and faculty research. This position reports to the Director of Archives and Special Collections.

Responsibilities include:

1. Maintaining the collections of the Hope College Archives and Special Collections department– accessioning new archival materials, processing physical and digital collections, developing processing priorities, and facilitating a records management program
2. Providing research services to students, faculty, staff, and community members
3. Hiring, training, and supervising student assistants and interns
4. Coordinating digital projects with the library’s Technical Services and Digital Initiatives teams.

The Archives are housed at Van Wylen Library on Hope’s campus. Archives and Special Collections serves as a regional center for local history research, specializing in Hope College, the history of the Dutch in America and the Holland, Michigan, area. The collections include works and writings from Hope College students and faculty, records from administrative offices, photographs, recordings, and videos documenting local history from 1866 to present, and the papers of Reformed Church in America missionaries. ArchivesSpace was implemented in 2021 and many of the digitized materials are held in Digital Commons and in Jstor Public Collections, two online repositories.

Qualifications:

Required:

• ALA-accredited MILS/MLS/MSI with specialized archival training as a part of degree or certificate program.
• Experience in archives including some combination of experience and course work with archival processing, electronic records management, digitization and reference services.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; demonstrated ability to work as a part of a team.
• Ability to understand diverse perspectives and the significance of differences and complexities in background, cultures, values and viewpoints as the foundation for an inclusive environment.
• An understanding of and commitment to the undergraduate liberal arts college, the Mission of Hope College, and the historic Christian faith.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications including digital audio and visual reproduction software tools and current archival software systems such as Archon, Archivists’ Toolkit or ArchivesSpace.
• Knowledge of records management and/or digital asset management.

This position would begin July 1, 2024. Applications are accepted online at www.hope.edu/jobs. Candidates will be considered as long as all requirements are met by start date. Applicants should upload:

• Cover letter of application addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Sarah Lundy
• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcripts
• A statement describing how they will engage and support Hope College’s mission statement, particularly addressing how they would support two core dimensions of the mission: (a) their commitment to the Christian faith and engagement with Hope College’s Christian Aspirations, and (b) their interest in the global and multicultural dimension of the liberal arts with particular attention to diversity and inclusion.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have position specific requirements, such as education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review.