Electronic Media Project Archivist

Description

This position has primary responsibility for the arrangement and description of manuscript collections materials on electronic media, in both digital and analog formats, from the Grace Cavalieri Papers and the Mutual Broadcast System Records under the supervision of the Special Collections Manuscripts Librarian. These two collections contain significant recordings which are at risk of loss through normal processes of decay of the electronic media. Therefore, the Project Archivist in this position is expected to be able to produce high-quality work with a minimum of day-to-day supervision.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Archivist will be responsible for taking a lead in determining the appropriate routine methodology for preserving, arranging, and providing access to electronic media materials ranging from audiotape, videotape, digital files on tape, diskette, CD-ROM, and other electronic media as they develop, in consultation with the Manuscripts Librarian and the Associate University Librarian for Collections and Scholarly Communications.

This position will have primary responsibility for developing best practice work flows for Special Collections staff to follow and will develop documentation that other members of the GW Libraries can use to identify electronic media materials in need of immediate conservation treatment. He/she will take a lead role in the development and execution of any appropriate treatment plan in consultation with the Manuscripts Librarian, the Scholarly Technologies Unit, and the Library Preservation Dept. staff as appropriate.

At times, the position will also require processing of traditional manuscripts materials, especially as they relate and support the two electronic media collections that are part of the scope of this project.

The Project Archivist will also be responsible for identifying confidential materials in the collections and routinely consulting with the Special Collections Manuscripts Librarian and the Head of Special Collections to follow established procedures to restrict access to these items. When appropriate, the Project Archivist will be responsible for weeding inappropriate materials from the collection and either destroying them or returning them to the donor of the collection, according to the agreement in the Deed of Gift / Sales Agreement and/or in consultation with the Manuscripts Librarian as appropriate.

The Project Archivist will be responsible for creating appropriate access tools to collections including databases and EAD compliant finding aids according to established principles, consulting with the cognizant curator as appropriate, as well as creating catalog records for archival and manuscript collections according to national standards (AACR II, APPM).

In addition, the Project Archivist will be expected to create dynamic blog entries either in the Special Collections Research Center blog or as a stand-alone blog for the projects to highlight these initiatives. Similarly, he/she will be expected to create and/or edit Wikipedia articles about the people and topics in the two collections as a means of enriching the public knowledge of these two collections and the rich content within them.

It is expected that the Project Archivist will participate in the weekly rotation on the Special Collections Reading Room public service desk to answer reference questions and monitor the use of the room.

It is expected that the Project Archivist will train and supervise student assistants / hourly employees to assist in the processing of the various collections.

Minimum Qualifications:
1. An ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent archival certificate; or equivalent training and experience.
2. Experience or training in the processing of complex archival collections.

Advertised Salary:
Lib I, $47,000.-Lib II, $50,600

Other Information:
DESIRED QUALIFICATION:

1. Demonstrated thorough knowledge of archival processing, description, and access theories and procedures; strong communication, organizational and project management skills.
2. Evidence of familiarity with the needs of academic researchers; experience in a research library highly desirable.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of current technologies for the broadcast dissemination of information (e.g. the Web and related applications).
4. Demonstrated knowledge or aptitude with computer technology and other electronic media.
5. Must be able to routinely lift boxes weighing up to 40 lbs.
6. Evidence of formal coursework in archival management.
7. Practical experience in the digital reformatting of electronic media.
8. Demonstrated familiarity with the MARC format and other relevant standards.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
In your cover letter, please provide an assessment of your skills relevant to the basic qualifications.

Review Date:
Review of applications will begin on December 5, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled.

Appointment: This is a limited term position to last 12 months with the possibility of renewal for an additional year.