Community Engagement Diversity Fellow and Archivist

11-Jan-2024

Harvard Library

64742BR

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on February 16, 2024. 

This is a two-year fellowship (anticipated start July 2024).

The Harvard Library Diversity Fellowship Program, formally known as the Harvard Library Residency Program, attracts talented librarians who are members of historically underrepresented groups, to provide meaningful professional working experience and to cultivate the professional goals and interests of both Harvard Library and the Fellow. Fellows will have the opportunity to work in an academic library environment complemented by career development experiences. 

The Harvard University Archives (HUA) seeks an innovative, collaborative, and motivated individual to join the community engagement team.  Reporting to the Associate University Archivist for Community Engagement (AUACE), the Community Engagement Diversity Fellow and Archivist (CEDF&A) will support the outreach, programming, and exhibition efforts of the Harvard University Archives, specifically through initiatives focused on surfacing underrepresented narratives and the voices of historically marginalized individuals.  The CEDF&A will also participate in planning and supporting programming and outreach efforts related to high-profile projects and provide in-depth research services to University-based user groups to help interpret and resolve complex administrative history.  Projects that involve the University Archives may include the recommendations and findings of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery and the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf papers project, other programs in the Harvard community that partner with the Archives on EDIBA-based programming,   

The CEDF&A will support the AUACE by assisting with the planning and development of initiatives including special events, such as lectures, presentations, and symposia; exhibitions, both physical and digital; and exploring innovative ways engage University-wide users with archival materials and research that highlight historically underrepresented or hidden narratives.   

As the primary repository of Harvard’s records and Harvard-related personal archives, the Harvard University Archives holds hundreds of hidden narratives within its collections.  As we approach the 400th anniversary of the institution, it is imperative to surface and promote these narratives and voices to enhance and enrich our understanding and knowledge of Harvard’s full history, as well as provide opportunities for our rich cultural community to connect to and investigate them in ways that are meaningful, authentic, and engaging.  

The Harvard University Archives supports the University's mission of education and research by preserving and providing access, to the greatest extent possible, to Harvard's historical records; gathering an accurate, authentic, and inclusive record of the life of the University; and promoting the highest standards of management for Harvard's current records. 

This is a two-year fellowship. 

Position Description

The Community Engagement Diversity Fellow and Archivist will perform the following essential duties and responsibilities, along with and in collaboration with the staff of the Harvard University Archives:   

• Working with the AUACE, assists in development and implementation of HUA’s community engagement/outreach program and its promotion, including special events, exhibitions, creating virtual spaces and social channels.  

• Develops cross-repository engagement initiatives within Harvard Library in both on-campus and virtual deliveries.  

• Provides in-depth research and archival support services to University-based user groups in all Harvard Schools and Central Administration to support their programmatic, outreach and development initiatives. 

• Promotes inclusive outreach practices and a commitment to accessibility in the development and delivery of community engagement initiatives.   

• Collaborates with Harvard University Archives and Harvard Library staff to gather content in support of outreach initiatives. 

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library science/information science/archives or equivalent with successful completion of university-level archives coursework. 

• Minimum 1-year professional work experience.  Professional experience may include internships or volunteer experience. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism. 

• Experience in an academic research library or cultural institution.  

• Proven historical research and analytical skills.  

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, and ability to work effectively with culturally diverse users and colleagues. 

• Strong service orientation with demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues, administrators, staff, faculty, patrons, and donors at all levels of the University community.  

• Experience managing complex projects. 

• Excellent attention to detail 

• Strong analytical skills and flexible problem-solving abilities 

• Able to work independently and as part of multiple teams; collaborative; flexible. 

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to regularly move 40 lb. records storage boxes.  

• Constantly positions self to access collections. Occasionally ascends/descends small step stool.

Working Conditions

• The position is based on site in Cambridge, MA. There may be the opportunity for a hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University policies.  

• Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs. Requests for flexibility will be considered consistent with Harvard University flexwork policies. 

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.

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.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

386056 Library Professional

Department

Harvard University Archives

Annual Salary Range

$66,200 to $108,200

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Across 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 invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities 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.

Harvard Library inspires collaboration, reflection, experimentation, and discovery connecting users to related disciplines and to University-wide teaching resources. The Library engages users through curated discovery, digital collections, reimagined physical space, and specialized research support.  Today, Harvard Library’s holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding access to digital resources. Harvard Library provides the University's faculty, students, and researchers—now and in the future—with exceptional experiences and comprehensive access to these materials.

Learn more about our contributions to the academic enterprise by visiting us at http://library.harvard.edu  and about the Harvard University community at http://hr.harvard.edu/why-harvard .

The Harvard Library is a proud member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.

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.

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