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Project Archivist, UC Cooperative Extension

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Position description

The University of California, Merced is a dynamic new university campus in Merced, California, which opened in September 2005 as the tenth campus of the University of California and the first American research university in the 21st century. In keeping with the mission of the University to provide teaching, research and public service of the highest quality, UC Merced offers research-centered and student-oriented educational opportunities at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels through three academic schools: Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences/Humanities/Arts.

The UC Merced Library meets the diverse research, teaching, and public service needs of UC Merced researchers by providing targeted, quality collections, and relevant services that effectively and efficiently support the research lifecycle of finding, using, creating, and managing information. The Library seats approximately 1,000 people and is housed within the Kolligian Library building, a 100,000 square-foot facility that contains multiple campus departments in addition to the library.

The University of California, Merced Library is recruiting a 12-month project archivist position to work with selected University of California Cooperative Extension county offices to survey and establish basic physical and intellectual control over materials with historical and/or research value.

The UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is a statewide research and extension arm of the University of California within the division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. While the UCCE celebrated its centennial in 2014, it does not yet have systematic policies and practices in place for retaining and archiving records of value. The UC Merced campus has entered into an agreement with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources to conduct a pilot project to assess, process, and digitize materials from 2-3 county offices in order to establish a long-term plan for archiving UCCE materials.

Under the direction of the Head of Digital Assets, the project archivist will be responsible for:

• Conducting an assessment of materials at the selected county extension offices
• Identifying user needs for access to materials
• Establishing priorities and appropriate levels of processing for materials
• Identifying preservation needs for materials in all formats and establishing requirements for housing and treatment
• Developing policy and practices for records retention and archiving of materials
• Supervising student assistants in the arrangement, description, and rehousing of materials
• Creating finding aids and contributing to the development of an online digital collection

Qualifications:

EDUCATION
ALA-accredited MLS degree with specialization in archives administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; minimum one-year experience processing and working with archives. Preferred: additional master's degree in a discipline related to agricultural history.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Demonstrated expertise in archival theory and practice, especially appraisal, accessioning, processing and description, including minimal and basic processing strategies. Knowledge of rights administration and management issues for archival collections.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current archival arrangement and description standards as well as basic preservation standards for archival materials, including born-digital materials.
• Experience developing processing plans and metrics to ensure goals are met.
• Experience creating finding aids and using archival collections management systems (ArchivesSpace).
• Demonstrated ability to direct the work of student assistants in archival arrangement and description projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially within and across organizations
• Critical judgment, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to manage time and tasks and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Flexibility and the capacity to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

OTHER
Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 40 lbs.
Visual Requirements: Extensive computer use, reading of typewritten, handwritten, and digital documents.
Hearing Requirements: Phone use, interaction with researchers.
Working Conditions: Position works closely with materials that may cause allergic reactions, particularly dust, and in areas with little ventilation.

The University of California, Merced is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, students, and staff.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
    (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)

Job location

Merced, CA