Project Archivist

Description

The University of South Dakota (USD) seeks a knowledgeable and enthusiastic archivist for a two-year project archivist appointment with the possibility of renewal dependent on funding. The candidate will primarily process selected multi-format archival collections including large political collections. Under the supervision of the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, the project archivist will work collaboratively to arrange and describe collections in accordance with accepted archival standards. As a member of the Libraries’ faculty, the project archivist may also participate in information literacy instruction. The position will be based primarily at the University Libraries’ remote storage facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with travel to the USD Libraries’ main campus in Vermillion required.

Specific responsibilities include:
– Appraise, arrange and describe several large, complex archival collections
– Develop processing plans, work flows, and schedules in order to complete the organization and description of papers within timeframes
– Oversee the day-to-day work of the projects
– Supervise archival undergraduate and graduate interns
– Provide guidance to other staff on best practices for processing
– Prepare finding aids, guides, and other descriptive access tools
– Participate in the development of policies and workflows for electronic records
– Assist with the implementation of ArchivesSpace
– Participate in the Libraries’ information literacy instruction
– Retrieve remote storage materials for transport to University Libraries

Minimum Qualifications:
– Master’s Degree in Library Science (ALA accredited) or related degree from an accredited program with appropriate coursework or training in archives management
– At least one year of experience with the arrangement and description of multi-format archival collections preferably in an academic special collections and archives environment
– Knowledge of national standards and best practices for the description of archival materials and cataloging (e.g., DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, AACR2)
– Strong organizational and project management skills including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, strong attention to detail and the ability to set and meet deadlines
– Ability to lift and carry a 40-pound box and climb a ladder to retrieve materials

Desired qualifications:
– Experience arranging and describing large modern archival collections over 100 linear feet including congressional papers and government records
– Experience with best practices and tools for electronic records
– Familiarity with archival management systems and databases for the description and management of collections (e.g. ArchivesSpace)
– Record of library instruction and/or classroom teaching