A cover letter, resume, and sample finding aid(s) are required for consideration for this position and should be submitted as one "resume" attachment. Your cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that relate to this position. Sample finding aid(s) should demonstrate your ability to independently appraise and process complex archival collections of a variety of formats and may be submitted as either document(s) or as a list of link(s) to finding aid(s) published online.
The Bentley Historical Library (BHL) seeks an enthusiastic, collaborative, and innovative archivist for a three-year term position as Archivist for University Collections (Archivist).
Processing and collections management (70%)
- Intellectual appraisal, arrangement, and description of physical and born-digital University of Michigan records in diverse formats
- Managing and enhancing metadata for university collections according to current standards, user needs, and reparative and inclusive description frameworks
- Training and supervising students to assist with tasks related to processing and collections management
- Collaborating with university archives, curation, academic services, and reference teams, as well as external stakeholders as necessary
- Assembling, analyzing, and distributing appropriate quantitative and qualitative data about all aspects of the position responsibilities, and providing regular reports on activities, challenges, and accomplishments
Projects and initiatives (15%)
- Contributing to BHL-wide collaborative initiatives and projects
- Participating in BHL committee work
- Other duties as assigned
Professional development and service (15%)
- Expanding professional expertise by attending professional conferences and workshops and engaging in continuing education opportunities
- Contributing to the profession, whether through professional organizations or other efforts
- Master's degree with archival coursework, or advanced degree in an allied discipline combined with relevant experience
- Experience arranging and describing archival collections with a focus on modern manuscript collections of varying sizes and formats
- Knowledge of and experience with relevant descriptive standards for archival collections (DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH)
- Familiarity with born-digital records appraisal, description, and preservation
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks and to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a dynamic environment with a diverse group of staff and external stakeholders
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and a commitment to professional engagement and continuous learning
- Comfort with and ability to learn new technologies
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and serving the needs of a diverse population
- 1-2 years of professional experience processing archival collections
- Experience with born-digital records appraisal, description, and preservation
- Experience with ArchivesSpace, Archivist's Toolkit, or another collection management system
- Experience arranging and describing university records
- Work is completed primarily onsite with some remote possibilities.
- Must be able to routinely move boxes up to 40 pounds and to occasionally ascend/descend ladders and/or stairs.
This appointment is subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement between The University of Michigan (the "Employer") and the Lecturers' Employee Organization, AFT Michigan Local 6244, AFL-CIO on behalf of their Librarian, Archivists, and Curator bargaining unit (the "Union" or "LEO-GLAM").
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.