Archives Processing Associate

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

JOB SUMMARY

The Archives Associate plays a critical role in the day-to-day activities of the University Archives at Pius XII Memorial Library, processing archival collections, performing preservation and remediation on physical records, managing the ingest and maintenance of records into the ArchivesSpace platform, responding to research queries, and managing the unit's undergraduate and graduate student employees.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Processing and Preservation

• Processes new and legacy backlog archival collections, including:
  • Accessioning incoming archival materials and maintaining accession records
  • Arranging and describing according to DACS and other archival standards to aid researchers in finding materials
  • Rehousing and stabilizing physical materials, including paper records, books, audiovisual materials, objects, and legacy media
• Creates container lists and writes finding aids to improve discoverability
• Collaborates with Distinctive Collections faculty/staff as well as faculty/staff in Collections and Discovery and Digital Services to improve accessibility and usability of materials
• Monitors storage conditions and maintains records for temperature and humidity
• Preserves physical materials through appropriate housing and conservation practices (e.g. phase boxing or other treatment)

Supervision of Student Employees and Interns

• Hires, trains, directs, and evaluates undergraduate and graduate student employees and interns in basic processing and digitization activities
• Trains student staff for proper handling care of special formats

Reference Services

• Acts as backup to University Archivist in answering research queries for faculty, students, staff, administrators, academic researchers, and the general public as needed
• Directs student employees in by-request digitization services to fulfill queries

Service, Collaboration, & Professional Development

• Support the library's mission, vision, and values
• Contribute to the advancement of the library's strategic plan
• Prepare, review, maintain, and assist with a variety of related reports, records, and documents
• Cooperate as a team member with library faculty staff in performing any duties essential to efficient library services
• Participate in committees and groups in support of library's strategic plan implementation
• Participate in ongoing professional development and stays current in regard to library related practices, technology, and equipment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Effective communication;
• Ability to read historic handwriting;
• Ability of multitask and prioritize projects based on importance and deadlines;
• Ability to solve problems independently and collaboratively;
• Ability to perform tasks associated with retrieval and shelving of archival materials, sometimes up to 50 lbs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of current (within 5 years) experience in a library;
• OR, an equivalent combination of current library experience, training, and/or education in related field;
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage projects independently, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively;
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skill
• Some supervisory experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience utilizing archival software (ArchivesSpace, ContentDM, etc.) or experience working in archives or special collections
• Knowledge of current archival and descriptive standards and best practices for appraising, accessioning, arranging, and describing archival collections
• Ability and willingness to contribute to the library's mission and strategic goals.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of the broad diversity of the university community and the University Library's users

ABOUT SLU LIBRARIES

The SLU Libraries include Pius XII Memorial Library, the main library on SLU's St. Louis campus, the Medical Center Library, and the Vincent C. Immel Law Library, as well as a library at the SLU campus in Madrid, Spain. The SLU Libraries have extensive collections to support teaching, learning, studying, and clinical care. Special services and collections within Pius Library include the Academic Technology Commons, an innovative and flexible space, with the latest technologies and one service point where patrons can access both Information Technology and Library services, and the Knights of Columbus Vatican Film Library, a research collection for medieval and Renaissance manuscript studies that houses more than 37,000 microfilmed manuscripts from the Vatican Library. For information about Pius XII Memorial Library, see https://www.slu.edu/library.

Salary starting at $44,000, commensurate with experience.

Applicants must include: 1) a cover letter; 2) a resume/curriculum vitae. You can upload these items on the third page "My experience" of the application.

Function

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.