Manager, Archival Processing

Application Deadline: 10 September 2024

Department: Collections

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Library Services Center

Reporting To: Heather Lember

Compensation: $85,000 - $92,000 / year

Description

Overview
The Special Collections Processing (SCP) department within NYPL’s Preservation andCollections Processing (PCP) division promotes access to the Library’s most distinctive collections by describing rare and unique materials and preparing them for preservation and use. SCP supports the processing of collections across all Research Libraries, including the curatorial divisions at the Library for the Performing Arts, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Within SCP, the Archival Processing unit supports access to distinctive collections byarranging and describing archives and manuscripts and creating finding aids for research use. Staff processes digital and analog collections in various formats, including personal papers, institutional records, visual materials, and sound and moving image recordings. Additionally, SCP supports the assessment, transport, and accessioning of acquisitions and manages archival metadata.
We are looking for someone we can count on to:
Own:

• the day to day operations, descriptive standards, and departmental documentation of the Archival Processing unit in collaboration with the Senior Manager.

Teach:

• and take responsibility for training staff in archival systems, descriptive best practices, and departmental workflows.

Learn:

• the unique needs of the research centers and public service staff to ensure that the Archival Processing unit’s workflows and policies align with each center’s priorities.

Improve:

• training on standards and systems to ensure all staff are meeting these expectations and have a shared understanding of these goals.
• description of born-digital and audio and moving image content in finding aids.

Some expectations for this role are that within:
1 month, this person will:

• Understand the scope of the work of the Archival Processing unit and their unique role in the department.
• Meet with each department in PCP and determine the ways in which each collaborates with the Archival Processing unit.

3 months, this person will:

• Visit each research center and meet key partners and stakeholders.
• Identify documentation and workflows that require revision and updates.
• Identify areas where workflows need to be clarified or created.
• Identify where additional descriptive training should be developed.
• Work as an active partner with the Senior Manager to create, assign, and manage projects.

6 months and beyond, this person will:

• Hire and manage a team of six to eight archivists dedicated to processing backlog collections and remediating legacy description.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager and divisional partners to begin establishing a reparative description program.
• Present ideas for improved workflows, collaboration, and projects to the department and our external partners.

Responsibilities
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Archival Processing, the Manager, Archival Processing will:

• Recruit, hire, and manage staff for special projects. 
• Serve as departmental manager in the absence of the Senior Manager.
• Support ArchivesSpace users, including troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
• Conduct training on archival processing and descriptive systems for archivists across NYPL research divisions.
• Work with PCP Systems and Operations Department and IT on technical development projects for NYPL’s instance of ArchivesSpace.
• Create, manage, and update departmental documentation on GitHub in collaboration with PCP Systems and Operations and in accordance with national and local standards.
• Collaborate with managers and staff within PCP to develop, refine, and document workflows and business processes.
• Manage the processing queue, description remediation projects, and the review of archival description in coordination with Senior Manager, Archival Processing 
• Maintain archival metadata in all descriptive systems including ArchivesSpace, Archives Portal, and the Research Catalog, and assure this descriptive content is aligned with national standards.
• Perform database queries and produce reports to help inform description remediation issues and priorities.