Archives
University of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
Job Description:
The University at Buffalo Libraries seek an energetic professional to serve as Processing Archivist to appraise, arrange, and describe institutional, faculty, and manuscript collections in the University Archives.
University Archives supports the teaching, research, and service missions of the university by acquiring, organizing, and promoting the use of these unique archival collections. Part of the University Libraries’ Special Collections area, University Archives is the most extensive in the SUNY system and holds records dating to the university’s founding as a private institution in 1846. Collections in University Archives document all areas of the university including the establishment and activities of twelve colleges and professional schools and the construction of a new campus beginning in the 1970s. There are nearly 6,000 linear feet of records in University Archives in over 1,900 discrete collections. There are also extensive holdings of university and student publications, audio and video recordings, tens of thousands of photographic prints and negatives, as well as posters and other ephemera.
University Archives also collects non-literary manuscript collections. Included in the more than 200 collections are the Frank Lloyd Wright/Darwin D. Martin Collection, which documents the relationship between a major architect and client; the definitive body of records and other material on the Love Canal environmental disaster; extensive holdings on social activism and women’s history in Western New York; and a rapidly-expanding group of collections documenting the history and activities of the Jewish community in Buffalo and Western New York since the second decade of the 19th century.
Position Duties:
Under the supervision of the University Archivist, the Processing Archivist appraises, arranges, and describes institutional, faculty, and manuscript collections in the University Archives according to local and national best practices. She/he develops collection processing plans, including determining the level of description at which to process. The incumbent will oversee finding aids maintenance (additions, updates, linking to catalog records, and digital collections). The Processing Archivist hires, trains, supervises, and assigns tasks to student assistant(s), specifically in the processing of archival and manuscript collections. She/he participates in monitoring patrons in the Special Collections Research Room and provides reference service and instruction on the handling of rare and archival material. Other duties may be assigned, including developing and creating exhibits showcasing collection material, participating in library instruction sessions, outreach activities, and supervision of interns.
The Processing Archivist is expected to participate in local, regional, and national professional organizations, and represent Special Collections on library committees, task forces, etc., as needed and appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications:
MLS from an ALA-accredited institution with coursework in Archives.
At least two years relevant professional experience processing archival collections, preferably in a special collections repository or museum.
Demonstrated proficiency in archival theory and practice, especially accessioning, processing and description, including minimal and basic processing strategies.
Demonstrated proficiency in the use and application of DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, Dublin Core, and other library and archival descriptive and content standards.
Experience with EAD, including its full range of elements and attributes, authoring tools (such as XMetal, Oxygen, or Archivists’ Toolkit) and publishing platforms (such as XTF or CONTENTdm).
Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, project management, and organizational skills
Must be able to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a collegial environment.
Must be able to bend, lift, and carry materials up to 40 lbs. and climb ladders and step stools to remove and replace boxes on shelves.
Preferred:
Familiarity with current approaches to accessioning and description of born-digital holdings.
A degree in a humanities-related field and/or graduate-level coursework in the humanities.
Evidence of successful research and/or participation in the field.
Knowledge of rights administration and management issues for archival collections.
Salary & Benefits:
$47,000 minimum, commensurate with qualifications and experience
How to Apply:
https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp
Deadline: May 30th