University Archivist and Assistant Director for Special Collections

JOB TITLE

University Archivist and Assistant Director for Special Collections

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Library Services

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The University Archivist and Assistant Director for Special Collections provides leadership mentorship and vision for programs and services that document preserve and share the rich historical legacy of the WPI community and its cultural and intellectual life through the universitys archives and special collections.

WPI and the Gordon Library are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We are looking for candidates who can support our commitment to equity diversity and belonging and contribute to our goal of building a more inclusive institutional archives.

This position is primarily in person at the WPI campus. Some regular remote work may be possible during summers and termbreaks.

Anticipated hiring range of $74000 $88000. WPI considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to a candidates work experience education/training and key skills.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

1. Oversee entire scope of collections and service operations for WPI Institutional Archives Manuscripts Rare Books and Art & Objects

• Establish intellectual control of archival materials based on archival theory and research needs including preservation arrangement description and creation of finding aids.

• Provide public services to students faculty and scholars by offering research guidance answering reference questions developing research guides and facilitating the reproduction of materials.

• Develop a strong collection of library materials and primary sources for research use by conducting outreach to faculty administrators and donors and by assessing the historical research value of potential acquisitions.

• Curate WPIs worldclass collection of material related to English novelist Charles Dickens.

• Participate in other department activities and projects such as writing grants initiating digital projects and engaging in multiinstitutional collaboration.

• Promote publicize and expand awareness of collections through exhibits programs written materials displays public lectures workshops tours and other methods.

• Oversee the growth and stewardship of the Rare Books Collection.

• Establish new personal and corporate names and uniform titles with appropriate crossreferences for inclusion in the name authority file. Where appropriate revise existing authority records.

2. Leadership and management

• Train mentor support and guide staff in developing and managing projects and services including two professional archivists and student employees.

• Develop written performance expectations for staff; evaluate their performance and counsel them on the provision of highquality service on professional development and professional reading and writing.

• As a member of the Library Leadership Team (LLT) regularly confer on current service programs budgeting staff development strengthening resources long range planning and other matters affecting the quality of WPI Archives & Special Collections and the Gordon Library.

3. Stewardship of WPIs digital collections and exhibitions that document curate and share campus history and culture including historical objects and artwork

• Digital WPI serve as part of the steering committee responsible for creating policies providing end user support and determining strategic goals for WPIs opensource digital repository.

• Digital Exhibits Create digital exhibits that showcase WPIs history and culture on both Digital WPIs Spotlight repository as well as other resources including but not limited to Omeka and WordPress.

• Exhibits Research plan and install physical exhibits on campus and at special events off campus.

• Artwork Serve as exofficio member of Board of Trustees Campus Art Committee. Oversee the curation and installation of WPIs campus art collection.

• Managing digitization requests and supporting digitization projects.

4. Provide expert institutional and leadership support for curating sharing and promoting WPI history and heritage

• Regularly write articles or serve as a resource on articles written about WPI Archives & Special Collections.

• Develop and present public programs to increase awareness of WPIs unique collections and history.

• Provide support to marketing and advancement engagement efforts preparing and delivering personalized orientations and meetings with donors alumni and visitors both on campus and through offcampus visits.

• Provide confidential and timely research and evidence on WPI history documentary records and precedent to support campus leadership up to and including the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees.

• Consult with campus leaders and departments to provide guidance on the disposition and care for historic objects works of art records and materials under their care and determine which materials are appropriate for transfer to the Archives.

5. Library Professional and Community Engagement

• Participate in providing direct services to library users and customers or providing informed referrals.

• Participate in collaborative library programs and activities including outreach events strategic and annual planning and collaborations with university community offices and student groups.

• Participate in and contribute to WPI committees initiatives and goals contributing to WPI and library strategic initiatives.

• Engage in and contribute to the profession through continuing learning service research presentations or professional communications.

Requirements:

• Masters degree in library or archival science or comparable masters degree in a related field.

• Minimum of six years of experience in a professional position within an archives special collections or similar repository.

• Knowledge of current archival arrangement and description standards and relevant descriptive standards (AACR2 MARC Dublin Core EAD DACS) and experience arranging describing and preserving archival and manuscript collections.

• Strong command of archival theory and best practices including standards for archival description preservation digitization metadata digital access and digital preservation.

• Working knowledge of laws and regulations affecting retention access and use of institutional records and archival materials.

• Working knowledge of a range of format and metadata standards for diverse collections commercial and open source collections management and repository architectures and platforms as well as challenges facing libraries and archives and trends in scholarly communication.

• Minimum of 1 year providing mentorship and supervision to professional staff.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to advocate for the library to a variety of constituents; positive customer service orientation.

• Excellent organizational analytical and problemsolving skills with proven success in independently prioritizing work and managing competing deadlines.

• Strong usercentered approach and knowledge of assessment for decisionmaking.

• Ability to work independently constructively and collaboratively with a variety of staff in a rapidly changing environment.

• Demonstrated record of ongoing activity and contribution (e.g. publications presentations service) in professional organizations.

Preferred:

• Graduate degree with emphasis on archives.

• Second masters degree in a related field.

• Teaching experience.

• Experience in grants and donor development and other fundraising activities.

• Proficiency working with ArchivesSpace and/or other archives collection management systems.

• Experience working with an institutional repository platform.

• Experience providing reference services in an archives or manuscripts repository.

• Experience working with college or university records.

• Significant experience working with rare books special collections and/or archives in a university setting.

Please include a cover letter with a resume for consideration

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat actively seeks to increase the diversityof its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color age religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran statusor disability. It seeks individuals withdiverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity collaboration inclusion problem solving innovation high performance and change making.It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.