Digital Initiatives Archivist

The University Library at UMass Lowell is seeking a creative and collaborative problem-solver to join our archives team during an exciting period of assessment and growth. The Digital Initiatives Archivist is responsible for managing the University's archival digital assets; creating and maintaining a digital repository for institutional scholarship and research data; and facilitating discovery, access, and preservation of these works. They also develop and recommend appropriate policies and procedures regarding digital information stewardship and overseeing digital initiatives for the University's Special Collections at the Center for Lowell History, while also providing support for community archives initiatives.

We want candidates to know that we are committed to helping our colleagues develop professionally throughout their time at UML; we do not expect all applicants to possess all of the preferred qualifications we list here. We welcome applications from people who embrace lifelong learning and are passionate about providing meaningful and equitable access to information, resources, and services that enable the success of a diverse and engaged community. If you are excited by the prospect of being part of a team that is seeking the best path forward to serve the current needs and future goals of our community, we hope you consider submitting your application to this position.    

Position Summary:

The Digital Initiatives Archivist is responsible for managing the University's archival digital assets; creating and maintaining a digital repository for institutional scholarship and research data; and facilitating discovery, access, and preservation of these works. They also develop and recommend appropriate policies and procedures regarding digital information stewardship and overseeing digital initiatives for the University's Special Collections at the Center for Lowell History, while also providing support for community archives initiatives.

Essential Job Duties:

Digital Asset Management and Preservation (45%):

• Manage all archival assets in the digital repository, including acquisition, ingest, processing, metadata, documentation, access, and discovery  
• Work with the Digital Services & Technology Librarian to configure and maintain the digital institutional repository that will house archival assets, UML scholarship, and UML research data
• Collaborate with Library staff, Research & Innovation staff, and other partners from around the University to develop policies and workflows for collection and preservation of UML scholarship and research data
• Develop and implement ongoing workflows and practices that collect, provide access to, and preserve UML scholarship and research data
• Implement new and updated workflows for digital file management
• Oversee the process of transferring existing digital assets into new digital management system(s)
• Expand access to physical collections and support increased research activity by including digital versions of finding aids and inventories for physical collections in the digital repository

Digital Archival Access Initiatives (25%):   

•  Develop, manage, and participate in digitization and digital collections projects, including attention to digital media stored in the physical collection
• Supervise undergraduate- and/or graduate-level intern and directed studies projects focusing on digital initiatives, which may include:
• Developing engaging and educational projects and goals for interns, based on their course requirements
• Participating in the development of directed studies curricula in collaboration with the Head Archivist and faculty
• Participate in the management of the Center for Lowell History’s web presence, on such platforms as Omeka, LibGuides, Internet Archive, and Digital Commonwealth
• Develop new initiatives aimed at the collection and lifecycle management of both digitized and born-digital material, collaborating with partners from around the University
• Increase digital accessibility of all collections through updated workflows, metadata, and online access points

Digital Community Archives (20%):

• Manage all community archives, currently housed on Omeka sites
• Supervise professional archivist for the Portuguese American Digital Archive and participate in the supervision of part-time staff and students working on the digital aspects of community archives projects
• Provide support and guidance for future community archiving projects

Patron Support and Outreach (5%):

• Provide backup support to the Public Services Archivist for patron-facing services, such as monitoring the reading room and welcoming patrons, as necessary
• Participate in providing reference services, especially questions pertaining to digital collections
• Collaborate with other Archives staff to develop classroom learning opportunities and trainings that engage users with archival holdings
• Participate in the coordination and planning of public programming and exhibits, including collaborations with the Lowell National Historical Park, Pollard Memorial Library (Lowell Public), and other community organizations

Archival Administration (5%):

• Research, write, and recommend to Head Archivist archival policies and procedures, especially in the areas of digital archival practice; participate in the formation and review of policies in other areas of CLH practice
• Participate in the research, writing, and implementation of grants
• Collect data on the CLH's digital programs and services for assessment, decision-making, grant proposals, service improvements, and other needs
• Evaluate new products and services and make recommendations for hardware and software to support archival services and initiatives
• Keep abreast of trends in digital archival practice and bring this expertise to the CLH team

Promote the University’s commitment to customer service by:

• Building effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed
• Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information
• Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles
• Embracing lifelong learning and professional development for themselves and their staff

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

A master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited library/information program, or international equivalent, by the time of hire; 3-5 years of experience in an academic library, public library, or other cultural heritage setting  

Skills:

• Experience working on digitization projects and with archival repositories
• Knowledge of digital preservation workflows and management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing
• Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills
• Commitment to providing equitable service to a diverse community
• Evidence of working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in an academic community
• Experience engaging with members of the community and underrepresented groups
• Demonstrated success in collaborative environments
• Demonstrated critical thinking and independent decision-making skills
• Familiarity with DACS and Dublin Core metadata standards, as well as schemas for preservation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Preservica or other digital institutional repository
• Experience with research data management
• Strong archival research skills
• Supervisory experience, particularly training and mentoring student workers

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