What are the responsibilities and job description for the Archivist (TERM) position at Vanderbilt University?
This position is a full-time, term position.
The Peabody College Archivist (TERM) is charged with the processing, arrangement, and description of approximately 300 linear feet of records and publications. The hidden importance of Peabody College to the history of education in the South will be revealed by the processing and description of these resources. A focus on availability for research and the championing of these items through outreach, exhibits and presentations is also an aspect of this position. Early career archivists or librarians seeking their first or second professional appointment are encouraged to apply.
Reporting to the University Archivist/Associate Director of Special Collections, the Archivist for Peabody College Archives will arrange and describe the records of the George Peabody College and its predecessors Davidson Academy, Cumberland College and the University of Nashville. This will include creating ArchivesSpace entries for the materials and the hiring and managing of student workers.
Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) is part of the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. The SCUA mission is “to deliver a sustainable legacy of unique cultural heritage by preserving and providing access in perpetuity to Vanderbilt University's impressive collection of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, audio-visual, and institutional archives in our care whatever the format (analog or digital). This involves:
• Collaborating with donors and the university to understand and describe the context, the material, and the intellectual content of their collections in whatever form: physical; analog; online; or digital.
• Arranging and describing the collections to enable diverse and inclusive paths to discovery, access, and understanding of the material by scholars and the wider public.
• Preserving and stewarding the material and intellectual content of collections through proper conservation, digitization, and digital preservation.
• Giving digital and physical access to collections to as wide an audience as possible, given copyright and privacy constraints, both online and on-site at Vanderbilt.
• Manages all aspects of the processing of the records of George Peabody College and its predecessors.
• Reviews and upgrades the current finding aids to meet current national and international descriptive standards alongside Vanderbilt SCUA local policies and standards.
• In consultation with the University Archivist, the Archivist recommends collection items for digitization.
• Contributes to SCUA social media accounts to inform and promote use of the George Peabody College archives and the project's progress.
• Participates in other SCUA activities such as providing reference, outreach, and creating an exhibit on the George Peabody College archives.
• Participates in professional archival or library associations and other professional organizations to remain current on developments and advancements in research services using physical collections, communications and outreach, exhibitions, archival studies, preservation, conservation, library science, public administration, and training.
• Completes other duties as assigned, consistent with the work unit's functions and the role's level of responsibilities.
Supervisory Relationships
• The position will hire, train, and supervise student workers to help arrange and describe the records.
Qualifications
• Master's degree in library and information sciences from an ALA accredited university OR Public History Degree with a significant Archives Concentration is required - this is a professional level Archivist/Librarian position.
• A demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work and manage students, with strong project management skills and considerable judgement and initiative is required. The applicant should be effective at meeting deadlines, adjusting priorities, and working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• A demonstrated understanding of the principles of archival and library theory, practice, and proper handling of unique and fragile materials is required. This should include knowledge of current archival arrangement and description standards, relevant descriptive standards, and knowledge of computer standards and applications in archives and libraries.
• Commitment to special collections and archives research services, including a high interest in promoting the research use and appreciation of rare and primary source materials is required.
• Highly effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, alongside a collaborative and user-focused perspective with the ability to address customer expectations for many audiences is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work comfortably with a wide range of digital systems including social media platforms and common Microsoft office applications is required.
• Demonstrated ability to be productive and effective in a demanding dynamic environment, with the ability to work independently, or collaboratively, and to engage with others to identify challenges and opportunities is required.
• The ability to deliver presentations, analyze research materials, write effectively, and prepare publications is preferred.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
