Gloria Steinem Collection Archivist

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu .

Libraries Job Description

Job Summary

This 2 year position will review, generate a processing plan, and process the Gloria Steinem Papers in the Sophia Smith Collection with the goal of making the collection more accessible and improving description. The project archivist will report to the Head of Technical Services, but collaborate with the Sophia Smith steward and members of Gloria Steinem's team. Items of high research value, including AV, will be identified and digitized. The project archivist may supervise 2 or more students who will assist in the processing work.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Processing Archival Collections: (75%)

Review the existing Gloria Steinem Papers and generate a processing plan for review by internal and external stakeholders. The project archivist, with student workers they will hire and oversee, will appropriately reorganize materials, rehouse materials, and enhance description of the collection. Should the work be completed before the end of the term position, the project archivist will be assigned to work on other collections that are in the Steinem network, or constellation of collections.

Digitization: (20%)

• Working with internal and external stakeholders, the project archivist will identify materials of high research value, including AV, for digitization. The project archivist, with support from technical services staff, will generate digitization RFPs, source the RFPs, oversee the packing and shipping, and return of digitized materials. This will require coordination with the digital archivist and metadata archivist.
  
  
• Work jointly with public services colleagues and special collections stewards in creating training materials for special collections in-person reference services and in training student assistants and relevant staff on procedures. Write, update and maintain training manuals and similar aids to guide student assistant work in collaboration with the Head of Special Collections Public Services.
  
  
• Collaborate and coordinate with other Smith Libraries’ staff who supervise student assistants. Plan and participate in Libraries wide cross-training for student employees.
  
  

Other Functions

Other Duties as Assigned: (5%)

• Attend Libraries, Special Collections, and SC Technical Services staff meetings
  
  
• All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Bachelor’s degree required.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience with, and knowledge of archival processing required.
  
  
• Thorough knowledge of archival principles and best practices of archival description required.
  
  
• Evidence of a strong service orientation and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders required.
  
  
• Superior skills in interpersonal communications, problem solving, and organization required.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Education in the humanities, museum studies, or history preferred. Knowledge of U.S. history, particularly U.S. women's history of the 20th century, preferred.
  
  
• A Master's degree in Library Science with a concentration related to archives, or similar, preferred.
  
  
• Experience training and managing students preferred.
  
  
• Experience working in ArchivesSpace or another content management system preferred.
  
  
• Experience working with large collections strongly preferred.
  
  

Skills

• Excellent written and spoken interpersonal communication.
  
  
• Ability to set and meet reasonable deadlines, manage complex schedules, work independently and in a team, and follow through with projects until they are complete and meet expectations and standards.
  
  
• Strong research skills including the ability to synthesize information, record effective notes, and track sources of information.
  
  
• Technical fluency with word processing and spreadsheet applications, fluency with operating systems and software typically found in an office environment, as well as library, archives, or museum software for collections management.
  
  

Additional Information

For the care and safety of our community, Smith College requires that all employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment and as such, the incumbent will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 on or before their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination status will be required. Individuals may seek medical or religious exemption with HR, but must do so prior to their arrival.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

December 5, 2022

Compensation Grade:

Grade J

Position Type:

Fixed Term

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu .

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.