Collections Archivist

Please note that references provided at the time of application for staff positions will not be contacted until the applicant has been offered the position.

Description

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections & Archives, the Collections Archivist is the primary manager of the archival collections and institutional records at Berea College. The Collections Archivist identifies and collects historical records of diverse formats according to departmental collecting policies; directs the college’s records management program; prepares and maintains archival finding aids and research guides using best practices and standards including Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and Electronic Archival Description (EAD); provides reference services, instruction, and support for research and scholarship; contributes to departmental outreach initiatives; engages in professional activities; and participates in library and campus organizations as elected or appointed.

Your Key Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supports the mission of Special Collections and Archives (SCA) by:

• providing in-person and remote reference assistance to researchers
• leading instructional sessions for students and faculty
• working with SCA department members to develop policies and procedures for services and collections
• working with SCA department members to set program priorities and future directions
• working with SCA department members on digital collections, exhibits and outreach projects
  
  

Serves As The Archival Collections Manager By

• accessioning and deaccessioning archival resources in consultation with the department head
• processing (arranging and describing) archival collections
• maintaining collections databases
• supervising collections maintenance (shelving, shifting, inventory, rehousing) and preservation
• working with faculty to integrate collections materials into the curriculum
  
  

Works With Campus Departments Regarding College Records By

• developing policies and procedures for the transfer of appropriate records to the college archives
• processing (arranging and describing) institutional records
• educating departments regarding the policies and procedures
• responding to requests to transfer records to the college archives
• maintaining appropriate documentation regarding the transfer of materials
• providing access to archived college records in compliance with college policies and state and federal regulations
  
  

Participates As Member Of The Library Faculty Including

• serving on library and campus committees
• pursuing research interests
• participating in professional development activities
• supervising internships, practicums and independent studies
  
  

In support of Berea College’s great commitments this position requires student supervision. The fourth great commitment is to promote learning and serving in community through the student labor program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. The Supervision would include scheduling, assigning and approving work performed. Developing students about common workplace acumen and giving them tangible work experience is an expected outcome. To learn more about the student labor program and requirements on this position see: Labor Program Goals.

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.

What You'll Bring

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• A graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution, or a graduate degree in archival studies or related discipline.
  
  

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Minimum two years professional experience in an archive within an academic library environment or a separate university archive
• Familiarity with records management principles and current trends
• Experience applying current best practices for arrangement, description and preservation of archival materials
• Working knowledge of intellectual property issues related to archives and libraries.
• Experience in archives and manuscripts
  
  

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Strong public service orientation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Well-developed organizational, time and project management skills
• Proven leadership abilities, creativity, resourcefulness and ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
  
  

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• None
  
  

Physical requirements:

• Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds
  
  

Environmental conditions:

• Standard library environment
  
  

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Standard office equipment
  
  

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise, valued at more than $204,000. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only nine federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is listed #20 in overall ranking in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse college rankings, 2023. The Washington Monthly ranks Berea College #2 Best Liberal Arts College and #1 in Social Mobility, 2023. Money Magazine ranks Berea #20 Best Overall College and #10 for Best in the South, 2023. Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2023.

Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.

Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.

Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!

Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Our Benefits

Berea College offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their families including health care, dental, vision, retirement, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability and an Employee Assistance Program. The benefit package also includes access to the Child Development Laboratory for children of College Staff, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, Seabury Center Membership, Staff Development Funds and Tuition Reimbursement.

Eligible staff employees also receive paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time employees who work an average of 24 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page at https://www.berea.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits.

Our Unique Culture

Berea College strives to be a place where people with various Christian interpretations, different religious traditions, and no religious traditions work together in support of Berea's Great Commitments.

Over the past century, various leaders of the College have applied the College’s inclusive scriptural foundation and spirit to their expanding world and welcomed those whose beliefs were consistent with the Christian gospel of impartial love. Therefore, Berea College today affirms its inclusive Christian tradition even as it respects the traditions of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus, as well as other faiths, and those holding no religious beliefs. We strive not to ignore our differences, but rather seek to understand each other honestly and respectfully, and together create a climate where anyone can openly discuss what they believe without fear of sanction. To that end, all persons who are willing to share in the spirit and the work of the Great Commitments as shaped by its preamble are welcome to study, to teach, and to work at Berea

Labor Supervision

In support of Berea College’s great commitments, staff and faculty serve as labor supervisors. Our fourth great commitment, The Dignity of Labor, promotes learning and serving in community through the student Labor Program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. Student Labor Supervision includes scheduling, assigning, and approving student work, developing students' workplace acumen, and providing tangible work experience. To learn more about the labor program office please see the following link Labor Program Office.