Processing Archivist, Beck Archives

The University of Denver Libraries, comprised of the Main Library at the Anderson Academic Commons, a remote storage facility called the Hampden Center, and the Bonfils Stanton Music Library in the Newman Center, is a highly collaborative organization that serves a diverse population, ranging from our students, staff, and faculty to public and other academic patrons from the surrounding region. The Anderson Academic Commons is the campus centerpiece for collaborative teaching, learning, and engagement. The University of Denver Libraries are central to discovery and creative interaction among students and faculty, and provide collections, services, personnel, and systems that support the teaching and research programs of the University. The institution is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and inclusive faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

Position Summary

University of Denver Libraries seeks an experienced, innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented individual for the position of Processing Archivist for the Beck Archives of Rocky Mountain Jewish History.

Reporting to the Curator of the Beck Archives, this part-time benefited position at the University Libraries will work with all aspects of the archival ecosystem—from accruals and accessions, digital and physical processing, and creation of exhibits, digitization, repository ingests, and reference assistance. Duties and tasks will be assigned with the highest priority collections/accessions in mind, as designated by the Curator with the input of the Processing Archivist.

Must be available to work a schedule sometime between the hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the receipt, pick-up, loading/unloading, and documentation of donated, transferred, and/or newly acquired accruals. (10%)
• Detailed physical and descriptive arrangement and processing of archival materials according to local standards and best practices; Use descriptive metadata to create easily discoverable records for archival materials. (30%)
• Perform in-depth processing of new, existing, and/or large archival collections including developing collection structure and organization, custom box-building, and/or minimal preservation work. (30%)
• Perform basic research of personal and family papers and organizational records. (5%)
• Assist with planning, install, and deinstall of exhibits. (5%)
• Assist with reference requests. (10%)
• Assist with donor relations, institutional records, and extra-University exhibit loans. (5%)
• Other related duties as required or assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail, ability to follow established procedures, good judgment, and ability to take direction.
• Willingness and ability to work independently.
• Adaptable to changing work priorities based on patron needs and project requirements.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with library faculty and staff, as well as University Libraries patrons.
• Better than average proficiency in use of computers and associated digitization hardware and software.
• Ability to work under deadlines.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 2 years of experience in an archive, special collections, records management, or equivalent environment.
• Understanding of, and previous use of descriptive metadata.
• Understanding of, and previous execution of physical processing.
• Understanding of the accession and accrual process
• Experience providing archival reference
• Experience digitizing library materials
• Familiarity with archival database management systems (e.g. Archivists’ Toolkit or ArchivesSpace) and library resource management systems/integrated library systems (e.g. Ex Libris or Innovative Interfaces tools such as Alma or Sierra).

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree, BA or BS preferred
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of Hebrew, Yiddish, Jewish lifecycle events, Jewish holidays, Jewish history, or Jewish religious denominations, and/or ethnicities.
• Experience processing large, complex, university records-based archival collections.
• Experience using ArchivesSpace collection management system
• Experience using Ex Libris Alma/Primo library management systems
• Experience contributing to exhibit creation
• Experience in donor relations

Working Environment