Historical Collections Consultant

Description

This position is located in the Library-Archives Division of the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison. The Division supports the study of Wisconsin, United States and Canadian history by managing one of the largest history libraries and archives in the United States. The archives provides access to collections totaling more than 100,000 cubic feet including: manuscript and State Archives collections documenting the history of Wisconsin, and extensive national manuscript collections documenting the history of organized labor, mass communications, civil rights, and social action in the United States. The archives also houses an estimated 2 to 3 million images. The Wisconsin Historical Society is located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and provides archives reference services to a broad general public and academic audience.

Job Duties: 

Working independently under the general supervision of a Librarian Supervisor, the position is devoted to:
A) planning and coordination of strategies to acquire, manage, provide access to, and preserve digital information created by Wisconsin state and local government agencies;
B) coordination of the Library’s program for bibliographic access to Wisconsin state government publications;
C) provision of reference service related to government publications;
D) overseeing the Wisconsin state government publications collections, and
E) representing the Society in state and national organizations and advisory groups.
Special Notes:  

1. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.
2. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to hire only individuals who are eligible to work in the United States.  Upon reporting for work, an individual will be expected to present proper evidence establishing employability.
3. Verification of academic degrees will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.


A Well Qualified Candidate Will Have:

• Masters Degree in Library Science.
• Cataloging experience.
• Experience with government publications.
• Experience with digital resources.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to work both collaboratively on a team as well as independently.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  


Advanced knowledge of library principles, practices, and concepts, especially as they relate to collection development and cataloging of government publications and information.

Advanced knowledge of electronic records concepts and practice relating to acquisition, cataloging, management, preservation of, and access to government publications.

Advanced knowledge of accepted library descriptive and subject cataloging theory and practice.

Ability to adapt readily and effectively to the rapidly changing world of information systems, and to each succeeding generation of tools needed for locating and accessing information and data.

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and oversee the work of student employees.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, with supervisors, colleagues, and state agencies’ staff.

Effective computer skills, including word processing, data entry, database searching, scanning of photographs and documents, development of web pages, and data management.
How To Apply:   In addition to submitting a résumé, you'll be preparing detailed written responses to two online exam questions. You may preview the questions on the WiscJobs website. The total length of your responses should be limited to a total of four pages for the entire Exam. These questions and your responses are considered to be an Examination for this position and will be used to determine your eligibility for this vacancy. Write clearly and concisely and use examples to support your statements when necessary. If you omit information requested on this announcement, your application may be rated ineligible. Since the answers to each question will be scored separately, be sure to provide a separate and complete answer for each question. Do not reference your response to one question as the answer for part of any other questions - each answer should stand alone.

To apply online, visit the WiscJobs website. During the application process, you will be asked to create a login and submit your application materials online by copying and pasting your responses into appropriate fields. Follow the online application instructions below.

If you have a WiscJobs account:
1. Click "Log In to Apply" at the top of the job announcement and log into your account. When you have logged in, find and view job announcement
2. Click "Apply Now" at the top of the job announcement.
3. Review your Job Application and make any necessary updates and click "Continue."
4. Complete the Job Preferences screen and click "Continue."
5. You will be taken to the first page of the exam. Follow the exam instructions and click "save and continue" at the bottom of every page.
6. A résumé is required to apply for this position, follow the prompts to upload an existing résumé and click "Continue." When you have answered the question, click "Finalize Exam" to submit your application for this job. Your responses to the questions are considered an examination and will be used to determine your eligibility for this vacancy.

If you do not have a WiscJobs account:
1. Click "Log In" at the top of the webpage.
2. Click the "Create New Account" button and follow the steps to create a new account.
3. Click "Apply Now" at the top of screen and complete steps 3 - 5 from above.

Completed materials must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday October 27, 2013.

Application materials and the examination will be evaluated and the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Questions may be directed to:
Brian Schroeder, Human Resources Specialist
Wisconsin Historical Society
816 State St Madison, WI 53706-1482
Phone: 608/264-6409
Email: BrianL.Schroeder@wisconsinhistory.org

The Wisconsin Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer