Department: University Libraries

Salary: $63,500-65,000

Description:

The University of Houston (UH) Libraries seeks a Processing Archivist who will work in the department of Special Collections to process archival materials across a variety of subjects and formats. UH Special Collections holds primary source collections of distinction to support teaching, learning, and scholarship, on campus and globally. Our priority collecting areas include energy and sustainability, Houston and Texas history, women’s studies, performing and visual arts, Hispanic studies, and LGBT history, among others. The Processing archivist works closely with archivists, librarians, and staff to achieve the goals of the Special Collections department in alignment with the strategic priorities of UH Libraries.

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the successful candidate will arrange and describe archival materials in alignment with departmental policies, guidelines, and professional best practices. The position creates descriptive inventories and finding aids using archival content management systems, such as ArchivesSpace, and prepares them for ingest into the UH Libraries catalog and the Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) repository. This position involves routine collections assessments, rehousing activities, and stacks maintenance for processed and unprocessed collections, done in collaboration with the Preservation and Reformatting department. The position also collaborates with the Resource Management and Metadata department to establish, apply, and maintain collection metadata. Additionally, the Processing Archivist oversees the archival processing work of students and interns and participates in departmental reference and research support activities, including regular reference shifts in the reading room.

The university prepares students to thrive in a globally interconnected world while contributing impactful research and innovation to the region and beyond. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences who are prepared to engage in this environment.

The Processing Archivist is a librarian position. Librarians hold academic rank pursuant to the University of Houston Libraries’ Bylaws Document. They are expected to develop a record of service, scholarship, and professional involvement. The UH Libraries support the ongoing professional development of librarians, and our goal is to recruit librarians committed to continuous learning.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an American Library Association-accredited program.
• Archival processing experience; experience through internships or practicums will be considered
• Proven capacity to work effectively and collegially in teams
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills

Preferred:
• Familiarity with multiple levels of archival processing (detailed item-level, More Product Less Process, etc.)
• Basic understanding of metadata standards (DACS, EAD, MARC, for example)
• Supervisory interest or experience as it relates to managing student workers
• Project management skills

Salary:
$63,500-$65,000 expected hiring range, depending on qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package; choice of retirement programs including TIAA; tax-deferred annuity program available; release time to take a class up to 3 hours/week; no state or local income tax.

Application Deadline:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Visit the UH Libraries Employment page for more information: http://libraries.uh.edu/about/employment/. Potential applicants seeking further information should contact Santi Thompson, Interim Associate Dean for Organizational Development, Learning, and Talent at 713-743-9685 or sathompson3@uh.edu.

Applicants should include the names and contact information for three (3) professional references as part of their application. At the time of application an unofficial transcript of the ALA-accredited library/information science degree is requested.