Project Archivist

Description

The Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University seeks a Project Archivist to process two archival collections?the records of the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program and the Lawrence A. Cremin Papers.

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program was designed to promote social justice, community development, and access to education through providing advanced study opportunities to more than 4,300 social justice leaders from the world's most vulnerable populations. The program, which ran from 2001 through 2013, was the largest single project to be funded by the Ford Foundation since its inception in 1936. The records of the program include fellow files, administrative records of the Foundation's New York Secretariat, and records generated by 22 international partner offices in the administration of the program. The processing of the Ford IFP archive began in June 2015 and the incumbent will oversee the completion of that project.

The Project Archivist will also be responsible for processing the papers of the noted educator Lawrence A. Cremin (1925-1990), who held the post of Frederick A.P. Barnard Professor of Education at Teacher's College, Columbia University, and also served on the faculty of Columbia's Department of History. He was the author of a dozen books, including The Transformation of the School: Progressivism in the American School, which won the 1962 Bancroft Prize in American History, and American Education: The National Experience, 1783-1876, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1981. He served as the President of Teacher's College from 1974 to 1984.

Reporting to the Head of Collections Management, the Project Archivist will be responsible for completing the arrangement and description of the two collections, identification and referral of items for conservation treatment as necessary, and the preparation of EAD-encoded finding aids and other descriptive access tools. The incumbent will also work closely with the Digital Assets Archivist on the appraisal, arrangement, and description of born digital material. Responsibilities also include recruiting students and coordinating their activities with the collection such as assigning tasks, maintaining schedules, and monitoring the overall pace and direction of work; submitting regular progress reports on processing statistics; providing reference services for collections processed; and performing other duties as assigned.

This temporary appointment is for 20 months from the date of hire with possibility of extension.

As one of the world's leading research universities, Columbia University in the City of New York provides outstanding opportunities to work and grow in a dynamic multicultural intellectual community. The Columbia University Libraries/Information Services comprises a diverse, collegial and engaged staff committed to furthering the University's teaching and research mission through innovation, leadership, collaboration and professionalism.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strongly encourages individuals of all backgrounds and cultures to consider this position. 
School/Institute/Unit: Libraries 
Minimum Degree Required: MLS or PhD or equivalent 
Minimum Qualifications:

All applicants MUST meet these minimum qualifications to be considered for the position. - MLS or equivalent
- Experience arranging and describing archival collections
- Familiarity with DACS, APPM, EAD, MARC, LCSH, AACR2, and other LC cataloging standards
- Familiarity with automated library information management systems, such as Endeavor/Voyager and online union catalogs such as OCLC
- Knowledge of basic preservation and conservation standards for archival and manuscript collections
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; excellent organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented, team environment; ability to work quickly, efficiently, and meet project goals and deadlines 
Preferred Qualifications: - Additional advanced degree in History or other related field
- Knowledge of mid-late 20th century American or international history.
- Experience arranging large, complex collections
- Supervisory experience