Photography Archivist

Description

The Harry Ransom Center seeks an archivist to catalog photographic materials and other archival material formats present in the Center's Photography Collection. Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to provide examples of catalog records for a single photographs, a finding aid for a large collection, and to demonstrate the ability to identify various historic photographic processes.
Required Application Materials

• A Resume is required in order to apply
• A Letter of Interest is required in order to apply.
• A List of 3 References is required in order to apply.

Purpose

• Identify, house, arrange, and describe archival photographic materials in accordance with Ransom Center procedures and current standards of archival theory and practice; work with other Center staff to ensure the conservation and security of collection materials; participate in outreach and reference activities
• Essential Functions
• Research, identify, house, arrange, and describe Photography Collection materials ranging from individual photographs to photographers' archives comprised of a variety of formats Create descriptive finding aids, catalog records, MARC 21 records, and EAD documents Consult with curatorial staff about issues related to cataloging photographs; consult with conservation staff as needed for the housing and identification of photographic materials; perform minor preservation tasks Supervise student workers, paraprofessional staff, and/or volunteers, including instruction and evaluation of activities. Provide reference assistance for cataloged materials and engage in campus, regional, and national scholarly and professional organizations and activities
• Marginal/Incidental functions
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program, with an emphasis on archival coursework or training; knowledge of preservation standards for archival materials

Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree or substantial coursework in the history of photography or European or American art history; two or more years experience arranging, describing, and cataloging archival photography collections or other archival materials in a museum or research library setting; experience using descriptive standards and best practices, such as DCRM(G) or CCO, and experience using standard lexicons, such as LC Authority Records, LC Subject Headings, the LC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials, or the Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus; experience creating descriptive finding aids, EAD documents, and MARC records; knowledge of metadata standards, such as Dublin Core; knowledge of the history of photography and photographic techniques and formats from the nineteenth century to the present day; excellent communication (verbal and written), organizational, time management, and analytical skills, including evidence of finding aids and/or catalog records written for photography collections; knowledge of digital technologies, standards, and best practices; demonstrated ability to work with attention to detail and accuracy and to work both independently and under supervision

Working conditions
May work in extreme temperatures May work around chemical fumes May work around standard office conditions Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Use of manual dexterity Climbing of ladders Lifting and moving Standard archival storage environment; occasional exposure to cold storage environment; occasional exposure to mold, dust, and/or off-gassing photographs; ability to lift and move boxes weighing up to 40 pounds.