About the Position
The Archives & Special Collections Specialist performs a variety of complex work supporting collections management and program operations at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies (CPNWS), a regional manuscript archives and program of Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections (A&SC) division. This position reports to the CPNWS Archivist, works under general direction and has responsibility for decision-making, application of specialized knowledge and skills, and performance of complex technical tasks supporting the preservation and management of and access to archival materials in multiple formats. Duties include support for intensive mediated public and reference services for diverse users at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, as well as a key role in collections management and archival processing activities in accordance with professional standards and best practices. The position also performs and helps coordinate specialized digitization and preservation activities across the larger Archives and Special Collections division.
Detailed Description of Position Duties
Public and Reference Services (30%) :
- Provide and support intensive mediated public and reference services to diverse user groups, including students, faculty, staff, donors and members of the public.
- Perform searches of complex archival collections relevant to program and division holdings using a variety of platforms.
- Educate patrons about search and retrieval tools relevant to program and division holdings.
- Respond to in-person and remote reference and duplication requests in accordance with established division policies and procedures for the access and use of archival holdings. May perform and / or provide oversight for duplication work.
- Contribute to effective partnerships around collection security and access with companion programs at the Goltz-Murray Archives Building, across the division and in Western Libraries.
- Ensure necessary documentation and internal communication about public service requests, while maintaining confidentiality and privacy of users.
Archival Collections Management (30%) :
Perform accessioning duties including appraisal and inventory work, and assessment of preservation and supply needs for archival holdings in multiple formats.Assist with creation, quality control and ongoing maintenance of collections management data for new and existing collection holdings. Utilize a variety of software and tools in support of collections management, including ArchivesSpace, Adobe Acrobat and Premiere, Oxygen / xml editing software and OpenRefine.Perform stacks maintenance duties, to include shelving work, storage location audits, periodic inventory of collections, and planning space needs for future accessions.Provide project management and leadership in areas of preservation, digitization, and archival processing.Work with CPNWS Archivist and other program staff to evaluate and determine processing needs for archival collections.Analyze and implement organizational schema and process collections of archival records for preservation and access.Author, edit, encode and publish EAD finding aids and other original descriptions of archival resources in accordance with established standards, best practices and project guidelines.Support assessment of and planning for equipment and storage needs of programs, including equipment acquisition, set-up and repair.Perform sustainability work and preventative maintenance on collection materials in multiple formats.May review the work of others and supervise, lead, train and direct the work of staff, student employees and volunteers as assigned.Digitization (30%) :
Apply appropriate standards and best practices in support of creation, management, and preservation of digital archival resources. May assist in research and review of standards and formulation of local best practices or guidelines for digitization work.Digitize and / or provide oversight for digitization of archival materials in accordance with appropriate standards, best practices and project guidelines.Select and prioritize holdings for digitization, and work on special digitization projects as assigned.Select appropriate equipment for digitizing archival holdings in a variety of formats.Create, edit and / or review metadata for digital resources in accordance with appropriate guidelines and standards.Select and make appropriate use of software and tools for creation, editing and management of digital resources and related metadata.Perform duties and provide leadership in managing quality control and quality assurance for creation of digital resources and associated metadata.May review the work of others and supervise, lead, train and direct the work of staff, student employees and volunteers as assigned.Engage in professional development activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) (5%) :
Foster integration of DEI practices into all other position duties and participate in library and division social justice discussions and activities.Other Duties (5%) :
Attend library and division meetings, serve on library committees and participate in professional development, as appropriate.The State HR classification for this position is Library and Archives Paraprofessional 3.
Required Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in History, Anthropology or humanities-related discipline OR undergraduate degree with either coursework or certification in the functional operations of an archival program.Ability to articulate knowledge of archival functions, best practices, procedures and standards.Demonstrated experience and proficiency working in an archival program. This must include direct experience handling archival and rare / fragile materials, arrangement of archival collections, creation of archival description and finding aids in accordance with other professional standards and best practices.Demonstrated experience and proficiency in the digitization of archives and special collections material, and the creation and editing of metadata for digital objects.Ability to provide courteous, efficient, and effective service to patrons of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs.Demonstrated commitment to furthering accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and through archival practice.Strong and effective communication style, both written and verbal, with strong interpersonal skills.Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to organize time and projects effectively.Ability to lift and carry 40lbsPreferred Qualifications
Experience providing reference and public services for archival materials.Ability to work collaboratively in a positive team environment, as well as to work independently.Experience as a student employee, or supporting the work of student employees.Experience working with ArchivesSpace, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Premiere.Knowledge of and experience working with older audio-visual formats and equipment.Knowledge of and / or skills relating to standard conservation and preservation techniques for paper and photographic materials.Conditions of EmploymentAll employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations. Salary $3, - $4, / month depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits InformationBargaining UnitThis position is part of bargaining unit D and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees of WWU. Application Instructions
Application materials must include :
Letter of interest that addresses how your experience relates to the position responsibilities and requirements.
Resume or curriculum vitae
Names and contact information of three professional references (notice will be provided before references are contacted).
Closing Date NotesPosition closes 02 / 11 / at 11 : 55 pm.
Salary : $3 - $4
