Lead Metadata Archivist

Description

The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America documents the lives of women of the past and present for the future and furthers the Radcliffe Institute’s commitment to the study of women, gender, sexuality, and society. The Archival Technical Services unit at Schlesinger Library fosters the discovery, use, and care of archival and manuscript materials through various activities including accessioning, processing, description, metadata creation, preservation, and collection management. Archival Technical Services’ priorities reflect the Library’s ongoing work to document the history and contributions of women and organizations currently under-represented in our collections.   

We are seeking a Lead Metadata Archivist who will coordinate work to modernize archival description workflows and advance our use of ArchivesSpace and other archival metadata systems and tools. Reporting to the Head of Archival Technical Services, the Lead Metadata Archivist will collaborate with a dedicated team of experienced archivists to evaluate and improve our practices while reaffirming our existing strengths. The Lead Metadata Archivist will coordinate and lead Schlesinger Library’s archival metadata program, streamlining the creation, reuse, and management of metadata for all archival formats. 

Key responsibilities include analyzing metadata program needs, setting priorities in consultation with the department head, and developing archival metadata workflows in collaboration with colleagues using systems such as ArchivesSpace, Alma, JSTOR Forum, and local FileMaker databases. The Lead Metadata Archivist will also work closely with the Senior Metadata Archivist to provide training and coaching, and act as a strategic partner to department head and other lead archivists to help set department directions and foster cohesion and collaboration across program areas.

Position Description

• Leads collaborative work to establish, evaluate, recommend improvements to, document, and operationalize policies, procedures, and workflows for archival metadata in accordance with local and national standards.
• Designs, administers, and documents workflows for the description of archival materials in ArchivesSpace, Alma, Connexion, local databases, and other library and archival management systems.
• Provides expertise and leadership for the department’s use of ArchivesSpace, including training, coaching, and providing support for other members of the department, implementing policies and procedures, and collaborating with other Harvard repositories as required. 
• Coordinates and oversees the creation, cleanup, quality control, management, and maintenance of metadata for archival collections across all library systems. Collaborates on metadata management for images and audiovisual materials. 
• Leads metadata analysis and remediation projects and efforts to repurpose metadata for various uses, including for digitization. Develops, customizes, and maintains tools, scripts, and processes to manipulate, analyze, and transform metadata; migrate data between systems; and streamline metadata workflows.
• Collaborates on establishing and maintaining compliance with archival standards for descriptive metadata. Provides advice on metadata-related issues and creates documentation for staff use. 
• Develops processes and procedures for creating item level metadata for special projects as needed; creates archival descriptions and item level metadata for a range of archival materials, including photographs and audiovisual materials. Applies best practices for inclusive and reparative description.
• Covers regular shifts at the Schlesinger Library reference desk. 
• Monitors current developments, trends, and best practices in archival metadata and engages with the professional community. Fosters collaborative relationships within the department, across Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe, and the greater Harvard Library. Represents the department or library in various collaborative projects and programs within Harvard and beyond. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises metadata archivist(s) and/or senior metadata archivist(s). 
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities according to the Institute’s/University’s management policies, procedures, and any applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include hiring and training, planning and assigning work, conducting performance appraisals, addressing performance issues, and resolving problems. 

Basic Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLS (Master’s in Library Science) with a concentration in archives management, and/or an MA in history or a related field.
• Three to six years of archival experience focusing on archival description, metadata management, and/or archival processing.

Successful candidates will demonstrate: 

• Experience with ArchivesSpace, XML, and databases such as FileMaker Pro, along with other systems and technologies for archival metadata.
• Advanced knowledge of national data content and structure standards for archival and image collections, including but not limited to DACS, EAD, AACR2, RDA, MARC, LCSH, and AAT.
• Proven experience in planning, implementing, evaluating, improving, and managing metadata projects, workflows, and procedures, (e.g., data standardization, remediation, mapping, and repurposing metadata for reuse).
• Proficiency with tools for the creation, quality control, transformation, and migration of metadata, such as OpenRefine, Python, XSLT, and spreadsheets.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to set priorities, manage projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively with colleagues across departments.
• Familiarity with or interest in current approaches and best practices in inclusive and reparative archival description.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and workplace, with the ability to work effectively within a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Experience providing training and consultation on metadata-related topics.
• Archival processing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively both independently and collaboratively in a highly collegial and team-based environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as critical thinking and listening abilities.
• Reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages.
• Understanding of, or interest in contemporary U.S. women’s history.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands of this position include seated work with frequent use of a computer for extended periods, frequent repetitive motion involving hands and wrist for typing, handling documents, operating office equipment,
• Frequently lifting and carrying boxes up to 40 pounds, managing cartloads of material weighing up to 240 pounds, frequent standing, walking, climbing ladders, and bending to retrieve or reshelve collections. 
• Manual dexterity is required to handle delicate archival materials carefully. 
• Required to perform tasks needing close vision, color vision and detailed data entry. Prolonged periods of examining documents under magnification and repetitive data entry tasks are also common.

Working Conditions

• Work conditions involve a climate-controlled, indoor environment with specific temperature and humidity levels to preserve materials. The archivist may encounter dust and mold, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves. 
• Works in an inclusive environment that values diversity and teamwork, requiring the ability to engage effectively with a diverse staff, researchers and students. 

Additional Information

Cover Letter:

Please note that cover letters are required for every application for a position at the Radcliffe Institute. Please combine your cover letter and resume into a single document that is uploaded when you are instructed by HARVARD CAREERS, Harvard’s online application program to “Upload my resume/CV from my computer” 

Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. However, we encourage all interested candidates to apply before December 23, 2024. 
 

Interviews:
We will be conducting interviews virtually starting the week of January 11, 2025, and might invite finalist candidates for on-campus interviews. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

About the Harvard Radcliffe Institute: 

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute’s commitment to women, gender and society.

We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to achieving our goals through the efforts of a highly skilled, diverse workforce. With outstanding benefits, competitive pay, extensive learning opportunities, and a stimulating and attractive work environment, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University may be exactly the employer you have been looking for.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.