Archivist

30-Jun-2022

Harvard Radcliffe Institute

58789BR

Job Summary

The Archivist processes diverse archival and manuscript collections, arranging and describing materials according to national standards and best practices; highlighting materials for researchers; and providing widespread public access to collections. They will work as a part of an inclusive team, participating in and contributing to the evolution of a program of thoughtful, flexible, user-centered archival processing.

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. Schlesinger's Manuscripts Department fosters the discovery, use, and care of archival and manuscript materials through accessioning, processing, description, metadata creation, preservation, and collection management. Our priorities reflect the Library’s ongoing work to document the history and contributions of women and organizations currently under-represented in our collections.  We seek an Archivist who is committed to and energized by the role that the broad range of archival processing activities play in discovery, use, diversity, and equity. This is an opportunity for a critical thinker to join an experienced team of passionate archivists who are working collectively to evaluate and improve our practices while reaffirming our existing strengths.

Position Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Appraises, arranges, describes, preserves and catalogs archival and manuscript collections in a range of analog and digital formats (includes evaluating their research value, creating a processing plan, consulting with conservation staff regarding fragile material, etc.)
• Creates DACS-compliant archival descriptions, including catalog records and finding aids, using a variety of archival and library management systems and software.   
• Determines appropriate levels of arrangement and description and applies a range of approaches for flexible, efficient processing.
• Follows procedures outlined in departmental processing manuals, including guidelines for reparative and inclusive description, and works as part of the team to help improve and document changes in departmental workflows and practices.
• May be responsible for additional assigned activities such as photograph cataloging, web archiving, metadata remediation for digitization, participating in donor visits, serving on the reference desk, exhibit work, etc.
• Monitors current developments, trends, and best practices in the archival profession. Builds and fosters collaborative relationships within the department, in Schlesinger Library, at Radcliffe, and across Harvard Library, as appropriate.
• May represent the department on a variety of collaborative projects and programs within the greater Harvard Library and beyond.

• May supervise student assistants and interns, including hiring and training, planning, and assigning work, assessing performance, addressing performance issues, and resolving problems.

Basic Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLS (Master’s in Library Science), preferably with a concentration in archives management; and/or an MA in history or related field.
• Two or more years of experience processing archival materials in a variety of formats.
• Knowledge of current national data content and structure standards related to the archival control of collection materials (DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, AAT, etc.)
• Understanding of content appraisal, preservation needs, and copyright, privacy and confidentiality issues relevant to archival collections.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Solid working knowledge of one or more foreign languages (Spanish or Mandarin preferred).
• Knowledge of archival and library management systems and proficiency with computer technology (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, XML).
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work productively, both independently and collaboratively, in a highly collegial and team-based environment.
• Strong written, verbal, critical thinking, and listening skills.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population. Interest in women’s history.
• Familiarity with or interest in current approaches and best practices in inclusive and reparative archival description.
• Understanding of contemporary U.S. women’s history.

Physical Requirements

The demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Employee must have the ability to sit at a desk for a minimum of seven hours a day and complete tasks requiring repetitive use of hands.  This position involves regularly lifting and must be able to lift 40 pounds, manage cartloads of material weighing up to 240 pounds and climb ladders to retrieve or reshelve collections.

Working Conditions

This job is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment. There may be limited exposure to dust and mold.

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." 

COVID Vaccination:
Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.   

Interviews:
We will be conducting interviews both virtually and in-person for selected candidates and appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.

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. 

Diversity Statement
At the Harvard Library, our work is enriched by our diverse campus community. Our unique and wide-ranging abilities, experiences, and perspectives are integral to achieving Harvard University’s mission of excellence in research, teaching, and learning for our patrons, our collections, and our workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment that cultivates and promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration across our diverse workforce enables our success.
We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities to apply to be a part of our community of over 700 staff members.  Our work with faculty, students and researchers to explore answers to intellectual questions, enduring and new, and to seek solutions to the world’s most consequential problems, requires that we not only reflect, but also champion our diverse society.
A global leader, the Harvard Library is a pre-eminent research library that acquires, disseminates, and preserves knowledge. Harvard's Library holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding inventories of digital resources. It is the work of the Harvard Library to provide the University's faculty, students, and researchers—now and in the future—with comprehensive access over time to all of these materials.  

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

386056 Library Professional

Department

Schlesinger Library

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Employment, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.