Project Archivist

The University of Georgia Libraries seeks a Project Archivist who will be responsible to the Head of Arrangement and Description for the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies for completing the detailed processing of the Georgia Republican Party and Democratic Party of Georgia Records. This position collaborates in the planning and implementation of the arrangement, description, and preservation of the collections; creates Archivists’ Toolkit resource records and generates EAD finding aids; and collaborates with the electronic records archivist to ensure that all born digital material are effectively described. This position is also responsible for hiring, training and supervising student assistants. This is a one-year grant-funded position. The Project Archivist is a member of the University of Georgia Libraries’ non-tenure track faculty.

The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies is a department within the University of Georgia Libraries that reports to the University Librarian and serves as a center for research and study of the modern American political system, with particular emphasis on the role of Georgia and that of the U. S. Congress. The Russell Library seeks to document fully the dynamic relationship of politics, policy, and culture—where public interest intersects with the three branches of government at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels—through the papers, archival records, and material culture of individuals and organizations. The Russell Library is also dedicated to developing and presenting public programming and educational materials that facilitate and encourage research, raise public awareness of the Library and its collections and services, and provide learning opportunities for the communities it serves. The Russell Library pursues alliances and opportunities for collaboration with individuals and organizations that advance its mission. The Russell Library is a founding member of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress and is a primary partner and official repository for the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies, a collaborative project dedicated to documenting and chronicling the experiences and perspectives of lesser known participants in the civil rights movement in Georgia.

The Russell Library staff consists of the Director (department head), six archivists, and student assistants, and is responsible for acquiring, preserving, and making accessible permanent historical records according to archival standards and procedures; providing reference assistance to a variety of patrons; and providing class instruction, exhibits, and public programming. The Russell Library is located in the UGA Libraries’ Special Collections Libraries building. For more information about the Russell Library: http://www.libs.uga.edu/russell/
The UGA Libraries is located on the university's main campus in Athens, Georgia, and its facilities include the Main Library, Science Library, Zell B. Miller Learning Center, Repository, and Special Collections Libraries. Perennially rated as one of the nation's top college towns, Athens offers a vibrant place to work and live. With Atlanta 70 miles to the west, Athens offers  good proximity to the city while maintaining a small-town culture and feel. The favorable climate supports an eco-friendly campus, and UGA is currently undergoing a major multi-step plan to convert much of the campus into pedestrian friendly green space. Information about the UGA Libraries: http://www.libs.uga.edu/ Information about Athens: http://www.libs.uga.edu/athens/
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaborates in the planning and implementation of the arrangement and description, in accordance with DACS and other archival standards, and preservation of the Georgia Republican Party Records and Democratic Party of Georgia Records under the supervision of the Head of Arrangement and Description

Creates Archivists’ Toolkit resource records for the Georgia Republican Party Records and Democratic Party of Georgia Records that include historical notes, collection level and series level scope and content notes, organization and arrangement notes, and folder level inventories; and generates EAD finding aids for inclusion in the Library’s finding aids database

Collaborates with the electronic records archivist to ensure that all born digital material are effectively described in Archivists’ Toolkit and included in the relevant scope and content notes

Develops and maintains knowledge of collections within the department; and maintains awareness of related holdings at other institutions.

Supervises and trains a student assistant through effective communication and a fostering of shared goals that yields knowledge, productivity, and dependability.

Contributes to the mission of the Russell Library, and the Libraries as a whole, by participating in meetings, planning, program review, developing and evaluating policies and procedures, and strategic planning for the department as assigned.

Participates in library-wide communication by reading, responding to, and initiating information transmitted via GRAPEVINE (the Libraries’ listserv) and other communication tools, and appropriate library-wide or departmental meetings and asking questions, seeking clarification, or initiating discussion on library issues.

Maintains flexibility and awareness of changes in the department and organization and contributes to the team effort by assuming other similar duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Maintains an awareness of current trends in the archival field by participating in professional activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

ALA-accredited MLIS or relevant Master's degree; Two years of experience in an archives or special collections arranging and describing historical collections, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; Demonstrated experience applying DACS, EAD and XML, and familiarity with AACR2, LCSH, and MARC; Ability to function as a contributing team member in a production-oriented environment; Demonstrated initiative to complete projects; Excellent research, writing, and communication skills; Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with other departments, as needed; Working knowledge of historical research methodology and experience with standard bibliographic tools; Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs. and tolerate dust and inactive mold spores.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Archivist preferred. Experience with Archivists’ Toolkit or other archival management systems preferred. Political papers processing experience preferred. Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a cargo van preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Entry level position with an annual salary of $38,000. UGA librarians are non-tenured faculty members. UGA offers an attractive benefits program including a choice of health and retirement plans, dental plan, tuition remission, paid relocation, 21 days annual leave, 12 days sick leave, and 12 paid holidays.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Qualified applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send as three separate pdf documents their letters of application, complete resumes, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of three references by November 8, 2013, to: Jan D. Hudson, Human Resources Manager, University of Georgia Libraries, at libjobs@uga.edu.

The University of Georgia and the UGA Libraries have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among its faculty and staff. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourage persons of color to apply for these positions. The University of Georgia is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.