Reporting to the Chair of the Archives/Oral History Committee of the Washington State Jewish Historical Society (WSJHS) and working with librarians and staff of the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, the Archivist appraises, collects, arranges and describes archival materials that document the Jewish experience in Washington State. The Archivist provides administrative direction for the program.
Hours: approximately 32 hours a month (8 hours a week).
Compensation: hourly rate to be determined.
Background
The Washington State Jewish Historical Society (WSJHS), jointly with the University of Washington (UW) Libraries’ Special Collections collect, preserve and provide public access to archival materials relating to the Jewish experience in Washington State. Founded in the 1960s, the Jewish Archives collections, housed at the Libraries UW Seattle campus, consist of organizational records and personal papers, memoirs, correspondence, photographs and more than 400 taped and transcribed oral interviews with members of Jewish communities throughout the state. The Archivist has workspace in the Special Collections staff offices.
Responsibilities
Serve as the professional resource for the Society’s Archives/Oral History Committee and support its meetings.
With the Committee, develop and conduct a collecting program.
Appraise potential donations and acquire new materials.
Create processing plans for each new collection and prioritize for processing.
Oversee and implement arrangement and description of the collection.
Assist with in-person, email, phone, or mail requests.
Coordinate and supervise volunteers.
Manage an established oral history program by providing curatorial activities that include tracking interviews, reviewing transcripts, and corresponding with interviewees.
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required
Relevant experience processing archival materials in a research library or archival setting and developing finding aids
Expertise using Microsoft WORD and Excel
Familiarity with archival descriptive practices
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Desired
ALA accredited MLS/MLIS/IS degree with specialized courses in archival enterprise or an advanced degree in an applicable subject field with archival management
Familiarity with the DACS and EAD descriptive standards
Experience supervising the work of others
Experience working with or knowledge of the Jewish community
To apply: Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (3) references to Steve Adler <stevefadl@comcast.net > by March 7, 2011.
Review of applications will begin immediately.