Archival Processing Specialist

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the arrangement and description of manuscript materials. The incumbent works primarily with collections that are slated for digitization to be added to the library’s digital collections and will complete added-value processing for digitization preparation according to established departmental standards (file- or item-level processing and description).

Essential Functions

Arrangement of archival materials slated for digitization projects (20 percent)

• Follow established processing plans developed by the curators to organize and arrange archival materials
• Perform preservation actions on records, including re-foldering into archival containers

Revision of legacy finding aids for digitization projects (20 percent)

• Identify elements of record descriptions not compliant with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local application guidelines
• Rewrite notes or add descriptive elements missing from existing descriptions according to established processing plan

Description of archival materials according to national and departmental standards (20 percent)

• Identify the format and genre of records, including audiovisual and born-digital formats
• Analyze and write a description of the content of records and audiovisual materials
• Record descriptions of records in archival management system according to DACS, Resource Description & Access (RDA) and local application guidelines, in accordance with established processing plan

Manage student processors (20 percent)

• Hire, train, and evaluate 1-2 student employees
• Assign processing tasks
• Provide support to student processors

Quality control of completed finding aids according to national and department standards (10 percent)

• Review and provide feedback for student and staff work on finding aids as assigned

Identification of preservation issues within archival collections (5 percent)

• Analyze the current physical condition of records and identify those that need preservation actions
• Refer materials in need of conservation treatment to the appropriate curator

Professional development (5 percent)

• Participate in department, library, and university trainings
• With supervisor, determine other position-related professional development activities and the scope of involvement

Education/Experience

Minimum education/experience required:  

• Bachelor’s degree in History or 2 years of experience with demonstrated knowledge of historical research skills or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• MLS/MLIS degree and/or archives experience

Skills, abilities, knowledge, licenses, certifications:

Required:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Flexibility and ability to work both independently and in collaborative teams
• Strong planning and personal management skills
• High familiarity with computers
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience with library and archival research

Preferred:

• Knowledge of archival principles and practices
• Knowledge of archival and cataloging standards (e.g. Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Resource Description & Access, Encoded Archival Description, etc.)
• Understanding of metadata standards (e.g. Dublin Core, etc.)
• Knowledge and experience with arrangement and description of personal papers and/or organization records
• Experience using ArchivesSpace or another archival collection tool
• Knowledge of Mormon and Western history
• Knowledge of HTML or XML

Visit Job Website