[LIBJOBS] Position announcement: 2-year project archivist, University of Alaska Anchorage

The Consortium Library at the University of Alaska Anchorage is recruiting for the position of the Hickel Papers Archivist for Archives and Special Collections. This gift-funded position is expected to last two years, November 2013-October 2015 with the possibility of a 3-4 month extension dependent upon funding. We are looking for an energetic, motivated, and innovative professional to join our team in offering superb archival services.  The department's priorities include providing greater access to collections and increasing outreach efforts.

The holdings of Archives and Special Collections include over 1000 collections of personal papers, organizational records, and university records in a variety of media including textual documents, photographic images, sound recordings, as well as moving image materials.  Archives and Special Collections has three full-time permanent positions.  Archives and Special Collections shares space and partners with the Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (www.amipa.org).

The Walter J. Hickel papers were accessioned between 2003 and 2013. Known to Alaskans as "Wally Hickel," he played a significant role in Alaskan and American history. He was active in politics, being elected Governor of Alaska in 1966 and 1990. Richard Nixon appointed Hickel  the Secretary of the Interior in 1969 where he served until Nixon fired him in 1970. An active businessman, he co-founded The Northern Forum, established the Institute of the North, and was heavily involved in the creation of Commonwealth North, all  of which were dedicated to public policy matters. The collection includes textual, photographic, audio, moving image, and electronic documents.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Hickel Papers Archivist reports to the Head of Archives and Special Collections in the Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.  The focus of the position (80%) will be the extended processing and description of the Walter J. Hickel papers. Elements of the project will be completed collaboratively with other archivists in Archives and Special Collections. A preliminary guide to the collection is available online at: http://consortiumlibrary.org/archives/FindingAids/hmc-0660.html.

Project processing goals include:

• Increased intellectual control over the collection
• Creation of an extended finding aid
• Selection, digitization, and metadata creation for materials within the collection for addition to the Alaska's Digital Archives (http://vilda.alaska.edu)
• Preservation work as necessary including rehousing of materials in archival safe enclosures
• Development of exhibits both physical and web-based

Other duties (20%): The person in this position also performs approximately 4 hours a week of archives reference. This includes responding to reference inquiries made in person or via email, by phone, fax, or in writing.  The Hickel Archivist assists researchers in navigating the collection using our online finding aids and other resource materials, maintains the reference query tracking record, retrieves materials for researchers, and assists researchers with appropriate equipment.  This person may also teach archival instruction sessions, create exhibits, and engage in outreach activities as needed.  Other duties and responsibilities include other archives descriptive and processing work, updating the Archives' collection management database maintenance, website maintenance and development, and participating in departmental planning activities.

This position is a term appointment faculty position with the rank of Instructor.

Salary: Minimum $50,000 annual, excellent health and life insurance; tuition waiver benefits; represented by bargaining unit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Graduate degree with a concentration in archival studies

- Experience with:

• Archival processing
• Archival description
• Computer software including MSWord, email programs, and web-authoring software
• Effective communication skills

- Knowledge of electronic and digital initiatives
- Ability to retrieve and shelve boxed records in boxes weighing up to 45 lbs and to climb ladders
- Demonstrated organizational skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Archival reference or customer service experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Experience with:

• Processing large and complicated archival collections
• Exhibit development
• Digitization and digital projects
• Archival reference

- Knowledge of XML or EAD tagging

TO APPLY: All applications must be submitted online. Go to http://www.uakjobs.com. Referring to position number PCN 730391, upload a cover letter of application, resume or curriculum vita, a writing sample (finding aids preferred), and the names, addresses, email, and telephone numbers of at least three professional or academic references.  The resume or CV should include a list of archival studies-specific graduate courses taken, provide details as to any archival internships completed, and note full-time vs part-time positions. For any questions about this posting, please contact the chair of the search committee, Arlene Schmuland, at abschmuland@uaa.alaska.edu.