Job Description

Department: Library

Summary

The full-time, term Archivist position will provide key, in-person functions for the Archives, including research and reference services, archival instruction and course-integrated curriculum support, and assistance with accessioning, arrangement, basic preservation, and description of physical archival materials in a variety of formats. Some outreach support for existing programs, like Michigan History Day, will be expected for this position. While this position will not have any direct supervisory duties, there is an expectation that this position will assist with overseeing the quality of student work and may be responsible for creating projects appropriate for student assistants. General oversight of the reading room, stacks, and workroom will be expected, including upkeep of public and staff spaces, including basic pest and environmental monitoring.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Provide research support and reference services at the highest levels of excellence and cordiality to the campus community and beyond
  
• Provide oversight and continuous improvement of the reading room and remote reference services
  
• Assist in providing archives instruction to Michigan Tech courses and other educational partners
  
• Accession, arrange, and describe archival collections following best practices and standards for archival and bibliographic metadata
  
• Prepare finding aids in compliance with national standards for increased exposure and discovery
  
• Assist with research and writing for social media
  
• Assist with mentoring and checking quality of work of student assistants and interns
  
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
  
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
  

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program or recognized, comparable international program
• Graduate coursework in archival studies

Required Experience

1-3 months experience in an archival practicum, internship, or equivalent.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

1 year of experience working in an archival environment, library, or museum.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated familiarity with archival accessioning, arrangement, and description
• Demonstrated understanding of an archival collection management system
• Knowledge of contemporary archival practices, policies, and procedures
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Detail oriented with strong research skills, especially historical research methods
• Goal oriented and self-motivated with exceptional time management
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
• Genuine interest in and commitment to building a strong, collegial, cooperative team
• Willing and able to contribute to a respectful university campus and local community
• Strong customer service skills
• Knowledge of DACS and experience applying archival descriptive standards
• Competency in Google Suite (Docs, Drive, Sheets, etc.)

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience with ArchivesSpace through coursework, work experience, or volunteer experience
• Some knowledge of Michigan history, especially Copper Country or Upper Peninsula history
  
• Demonstrated knowledge or familiarity with the mission, collections, and activities of the Michigan Tech Archives
  
• Competency in integrated library systems, such as Alma/Primo
  
• Experience with cleaning and conservation and/or preservation of paper-based collections
  
• Knowledge of basic care and description of museum collections
  
• Interest in contributing to key departmental goals and projects: digitization and digital preservation, increased accessibility of audiovisual materials, education and outreach (including social media), development of improved cataloging standards, collaboration with community organizations, expansion of materials pertaining to indigenous communities, incorporation of archival materials into GIS databases, preservation of rural history, etc.
  
• Experience and comfort in public speaking and/or classroom instruction
  
• Demonstrated success in working with persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
• Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 lbs and push carts weighing up to 100 lbs

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1.0

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

2 years

Pay Rate/Salary

The salary range for this position is $48,000 - $51,000; however, the final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

University Archivist

Posting Type

Internal and External

Dependent on Funding

Yes

Additional Information

This is a fixed term, 2 year position.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)

About Michigan Technological University

Our scope is international. Our approach interdisciplinary. We work at the intersections of communication, composition, literature, modern languages, philosophy, rhetoric, visual studies, linguistics, gender studies, and technical communication. Our students develop the communicative, analytic, and cultural knowledge to thrive in all aspects of their future lives.Applications from women and BIPOC scholars are highly encouraged by both the department and the institution. Michigan Tech is building a culturally diverse faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all individuals.

Connections working at Michigan Technological University

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Fixed term contract, Work experience placement, Internship, Work at office, Local area, Remote work,

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