Accessioning Archivist - University Libraries

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of Preservation, Processing, and Exhibitions, the Accessioning Archivist accessions incoming archival materials in a variety of formats, including paper-based, visual, audiovisual and born digital. They ensure the smooth transfer of materials from the immediate source of each acquisition to the appropriate repository in Special Collections. Working in close collaboration with Curators and Processing Archivists, the Accessioning Archivist ensures timely access to newly acquired archival materials by performing collection surveys, evaluating collections for preservation needs and potential access restrictions, creating accession records and collection-level resource records for purposes of discovery. In addition to enhancing Special Collections’ intellectual control over its archival holdings, the Accessioning Archivist also works to maintain physical control over these materials by recording and updating their physical and digital locations. Priorities for this position will be to collaborate in developing strategies for addressing legacy descriptive and arrangement practices and engaging in reparative archival work to improve discoverability of collection materials created by individuals and groups from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) communities.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Establishes baseline administrative, physical, and intellectual control over new and past acquisitions in accordance with Special Collections acquisition procedures and best practices. This includes:
  • Coordinating the intake and accessioning of new collections, including pre-custodial intervention, coordinating transfer, and stabilization of materials. Liaises with curators, donors, preservation staff and processing archivists.
  • Creating and maintaining accession records for all new acquisitions and donations in ArchivesSpace in accordance with established national and local practices. Additionally, creates intake inventories in collaboration with the processing archivists.
  • Collaborating with the digital archivist and preservation specialist to implement and maintain a sustainable born-digital accessioning workflow.
• Oversees Special Collections stacks management activities. This includes identifying temporary and permanent locations for incoming and newly processed collections, recording and updating the physical and digital location records and container profiles in ArchivesSpace, and overseeing vault capacity statistics.
• Developing and contributing to policies, procedures, productive workflows, and standards compliance to ensure a user-centered, access-driven approach to archival accessioning that also engages in reparative archival work to improve discoverability of collection materials created by individuals and groups from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Maintains statistics on Special Collections archives, manuscripts and media holdings relevant to their processing, use and maintenance in order to help determine priorities, track progress, and manage backlog.
• Monitors current developments, trends, and emerging technologies in the field of archives and Special Collections and engages with the professional community on a local, state, or national level. Actively participates in organizational committees and task forces. Works across Libraries to share expertise and build collaborations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science required, or equivalent accredited degree, with formal training in archival theory and practice.
• Knowledge of archival standards, theory, and practice.
• Two or more years of professional archival accessioning and/or processing experience, preferably in an academic or research library.
• Experience working with archival content management systems, such as ArchivesSpace.
• Experience processing, describing, handling, and providing reference for Special Collections materials.
• Experience enhancing and transforming metadata for archival collections, including manipulating data to integrate unstructured and/or legacy information with standardized descriptions and repurposing metadata for reuse.
• Experience of transfer and accessioning of born-digital materials, including those located on physical and removable media, optical disks, email, and cloud-based platforms.
• Demonstrated mastery in the use and application of EAD, DACS, MARC, LCSH, RDA and other library and archival descriptive and content standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of XML schemas and the use of XML editors and/or archival content management systems, such as ArchivesSpace. Facility in the manipulation of metadata across systems and platforms.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization and analytic skills and a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work well in a collaborative, team-based environment.
• Working knowledge of MS Office applications.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service.
• Prior experience working in an academic research library, ideally in academic archives.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or advanced certificate in relevant field or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Three years related work experience.

Grade

G12

Salary Range

$57,300.00 - $97,700.00 / Annually The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.