Sponsored Project Archivist

Description

The University of Colorado Boulder Libraries and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) seek candidates with archival and disciplinary experience to manage the digitization of NSIDC's historical print glacier photograph collection. Funded by a grant from the Council on Library & Information Resources Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives Program, the position is an 18 month lecturer appointment to begin as soon as May 2016.

The Project Archivist (PA) will work with librarians, archivists, scientists, graduate students, a project consultant, and a vendor to manage the digitization of approximately 9,000 historical images of glaciated regions. Digitization work will be outsourced, and a significant amount of the project will involve assigning technical and descriptive metadata to the images. The PA will work with staff in the Libraries and NSIDC to make the images available in the University of Colorado Digital Library ( https://content.cu.edu/digitallibrary/ ) and the NSIDC Glacier Photograph Database ( http://nsidc.org/data/glacier_photo/search/ ).

This is an opportunity to contribute to a one-of-a-kind project that will provide access to priceless images of the earth's frozen regions. It will require enthusiasm, attention to detail, problem solving, and the ability to see the larger concept of how users may access and use these images.

The salary is $52,000. Benefits include university group health care plans.

Responsibilities include:
Preparing images for digitization. This will require detailed inventorying and careful handling of images that range in size from 4"x5" to 10"x15" and date back to the 1850s.
Working with vendor to ensure quality digital images that meet researcher needs and Federal Agency Digitization Guideline Initiative (FADGI) criteria.
Providing descriptive and technical metadata to each item and publishing in two online databases. Each image will need to be consulted for metadata, and some may need to be researched for geospatial information (graduate students will assist with geospatial information).
Communicating effectively with project stakeholders, solving problems and making decisions both collaboratively and independently.
Attending conferences (with some financial support) and assisting in generating awareness of the collection.
Requirements

Please address each of these qualifications in your application materials:
ALA-accredited Master's of Library and/or Information Science or equivalent education or work experience.
Demonstrated interest, enthusiasm, and/or knowledge of topics in fields such as geology, glaciology, climatology, environmental science, history of exploration and/or photography, land management and national parks, and related disciplines.
Ability to see "the big picture" of how metadata enables discovery.
Demonstrated experience or education in archival practices.
Experience with metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core, MODS, METS, MARC, EAD).
Experience working on complex projects with many stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work and solve problems both independently and collaboratively.
Desirable Qualifications

Evidence of any of the following will enhance a candidacy:
Experience managing digital projects, particularly those involving historical photographs.
Significant experience developing metadata for digital objects.
A bachelor's or master's degree in earth or environmental sciences.
Certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists.
Experience working with earth or environmental scientists.
Application Process:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is recommended that applications be submitted by May 1, 2016 in order to receive full consideration. Application must include a letter of application specifically addressing qualifications for the position; CV or resume; and names with postal addresses, email, and telephone numbers of three references. Questions may be directed to Dylan Wiersma, Search Coordinator, at Dylan.Wiersma@Colorado.EDU.

The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin. The University of Colorado Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the ADA Coordinator at hr-ada@colorado.edu . In addition, the University of Colorado Boulder is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and, when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

About the University and Libraries:

As the flagship University of a multi-campus system in the State of Colorado, CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners situated on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU)-and the only member in the Rocky Mountain region-we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

CU-Boulder has blossomed in size and quality since we opened our doors in 1877-attracting superb faculty, staff, and students and building strong programs in the sciences, engineering, business, law, arts, humanities, education, music, and many other disciplines.

Today, with our sights set on becoming the standard for the great comprehensive public research universities of the new century, we strive to serve the people of Colorado and to engage with the world through excellence in our teaching, research, creative work, and service. The University Libraries faculty and staff are diverse, talented, and passionate people who share this vision and mission. Librarians participate at all levels of the campus and hold full faculty status and rank. The Libraries, a member of the Association of Research Libraries, holds the largest collection in the Rocky Mountain region with over 12 million books, periodicals, government publications, audiovisual materials, microforms, maps, manuscripts, papers and computer-based resources. The Libraries faculty and staff collaborate internally, with colleagues beyond the campus, and with our clients to advance information literacy, intellectual freedom, lifelong learning, the disciplinary growth of information, and the amplification of knowledge.

The University Libraries holds one of the largest collections of government information in the western United States. Particular strengths include a comprehensive collection of U.S. publications including robust collections of e-resources, technical reports, and international materials.

About NSIDC and its Archives:

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) supports research into our world's frozen realms: the snow, ice, glaciers, frozen ground, and climate interactions that make up Earth's cryosphere. NSIDC manages and distributes scientific data, creates tools for data access, supports data users, performs scientific research, and educates the public about the cryosphere.

The Roger G. Barry Archives and Resource Center (ARC) at NSIDC is an information resource for people studying Earth's frozen regions, the history of science, or past climate related to the Earth's frozen regions.

ARC offers a unique set of collections focused on both science and history in the Earth's frozen regions, including the Arctic, the Antarctic, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, frozen ground, and more. The information and resources at ARC support NSIDC's mission "to improve our understanding of the Earth's frozen regions" and the Earth as a system.

The ARC Archives specializes in historical science materials. Its holdings include thousands of maps, photographs, prints, expedition journals, and other items of interest to those researching the history of science or studying past climate.

About Boulder, Colorado:

Boulder and the surrounding area is known as one of the best places to live because of its spectacular setting, acres of open space, and vibrant atmosphere. At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of vast open space entwine into Boulder's cityscape nestled into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Home to approximately 90,000 residents, Boulder has a mild, dry climate with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Boulder offers activities for every interest. Over 80 miles of pedestrian and bike paths, as well as a convenient bus system, provide transportation around town and to the Denver metropolitan area. Photographers, music lovers, rock climbers, Olympians, artists, and others are drawn to this great city because of its scenic beauty, vibrant culture, and fabulous amenities. Boulder is just three hours from 11 ski resorts, 40 minutes from Denver, and moments from 43,000 acres of open space and trails.

Qualifications:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, List of References

Application Materials Instructions: Application must include a letter of application specifically addressing qualifications for the position; CV or resume; and names with postal addresses, email, and telephone numbers of three references.

Please name documents as follows:
[Your Name]-CL-04684 (for your cover letter)
[Your Name]-CV-04684 (for your CV/resume)
[Your Name]-Ref-04684 (for your list of references).