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Public Services and Instruction Archivist - Tufts Archival Research Center

Location
Medford
Workplace
Hybrid
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About this role

Overview

Tufts Archival Research Center (TARC) is the archives and manuscript repository of Tufts University and is open to the public. TARC’s team of professional archivists provides stewardship for the Tufts University Archives, nearly three hundred manuscript collections, and other permanently valuable physical and digital archival materials. TARC staff also assist Tufts students, faculty, and staff with recordkeeping activities, through records management and digital library services. TARC's stewardship responsibilities are mandated by the Board of Trustees, as outlined in the University Records Policy. TARC is a unit of Tufts central administration, serving all schools and reporting to the Office of the Provost.

What You'll Do

Tufts Archival Research Center seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking individual to manage its public services operations and to work as part of a team to support research, teaching, and learning in the department and at the University. The Public Services and Instruction Archivist's responsibilities include overseeing TARC's public services program including reading room operations, on-site and remote reference and instruction and in person and online outreach efforts; and continuously assessing user needs and TARC's physical and online research environment. The Public Services and Instruction Archivist will work to develop strong relationships with faculty, students, and staff and to ensure a responsive and innovative public services program.

 

  • Provide reference and instruction services:
    • Provide instruction and reference services, including developing knowledge of collections to assist researchers (including University staff, students, faculty, and external visiting researchers) in discovering, accessing and effectively using the full range of TARC resources available to meet teaching, learning and research needs.
    • Respond to in person and remote reference inquiries directly and in collaboration with other TARC staff.
    • Design, teach and evaluate instruction sessions, including working with faculty to develop curriculum-specific instruction programs and coordinating research support for student assignments.
    • Work individually with students to evaluate and develop their research needs with an eye toward archival instruction.

  • Administration and management:
    • Manage reading room operations and produce and maintain documentation and training for policies and procedures.
    • Develop, implement, and oversee TARC public services, including management of workflow for email and other remote reference. Delegate reference projects to staff as needed.
    • Supervise the work of the Assistant Archivist and other public services work within TARC.
    • Collect, maintain and analyze reference-related statistics.
    • Maintain up-to-date knowledge and professional skills related to public services in archives and special collections and monitor developments in the field.

  • Coordinate outreach initiatives:
    • Develop responsive outreach services, including overseeing staff work related to the department web presence and social media strategy
    • Assist with the promotion and marketing of TARC initiatives, collections and services through tours and presentations, physical and online exhibitions, and social media, and identify new opportunities and technologies to enhance outreach and instruction.
    • Contribute to outreach efforts to academic departments, faculty, and other relevant campus groups and work towards integrating TARC collections and services into the coursework and programming of those groups.

  • Participate in planning and policy development:
    • In close collaboration with the Director and collections management staff, assist in implementing professional standards and best practices for collections security and preservation and setting priorities for collection processing and digitization.
    • Participate in general planning and policy development in the support of TARC strategic directions.
    • Participate in Tufts committees related to primary job assignment.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:
  • MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution, with a concentration in archives, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • At least 3 years experience in an archives or special collections department in a research library or similar setting.
  • To perform this job successfully, an individual should be comfortable with word processing, spreadsheet and database software and have knowledge of technologies related to archives and special collections public services, including circulation and patron request management, content management, and electronic reference tools and systems.
  • Strong familiarity with research processes in archives and special collections and providing reference services in support of academic research, genealogical research, and/or administrative research in a university setting.
  • Knowledge of trends and current best practices in delivering special collections, archival materials and digital collections to users.
  • Knowledge of technologies related to archives and special collections public services, including circulation and patron request management, content management, and electronic reference tools and systems.
  • Excellent project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and keep researcher needs at the front of project planning and execution.
  • Knowledge of rights administration and management issues as they relate to archives and special collections.
  • Candidates should exhibit a strong user focus and public service orientation, excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to embrace change.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team setting with administrative, professional, and support staff.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
 
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in an active university records program.
  • Experience teaching with primary resources in an academic setting.
  • Experience supervising staff.
  • Knowledge or interest in subjects related to TARC’s collecting focus.

Pay Range

Minimum $67,200.00, Midpoint $83,900.00, Maximum $100,700.00
 

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

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