- Position Summary: The Archivist & Special Collections Librarian will lead the development of a program that is innovative, service oriented and forward-looking. The position will be visible on campus and actively engaged with students, faculty, staff and other members of the Puget Sound Community. The Archivist & Special Collections Librarian will oversee a collection of university archives, manuscripts, rare books, artists' books and ephemera and should actively seek to integrate these collections into the curriculum. In addition, the individual will be responsible for implementation of new technology as appropriate to archival management.
**Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:**Manage the Archives and Special Collections (A&SC) programs; including planning, policies and procedures, acquisition, description, processing and preservation.
- Oversee the A&SC staff; including students, volunteers and university employees.
- Promote and provide curriculum integration support, research assistance, and information literacy instruction for students and courses utilizing primary sources, archival and special collections.
- Provide reference services via open hours, email and individual appointments.
- Consult with campus offices and departments on identifying and retaining permanent records in accordance with records management procedures.
- Serve as the primary contact for our archival and special collections materials.
- In consultation with the Library Director, collaborate with librarians and faculty on collection development in support of curricular and academic goals to acquire materials that enhance current Archives and Special Collections.
- Facilitate discovery of and access to collection information through the development of EAD finding aids, the library website, and other avenues.
- Working closely with appropriate key staff, digitize and provide access to Puget Sound scholarship and historical materials in support of curricular needs.
- Engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community through creative outreach and advocacy efforts including for example: presentations, exhibits, printed guides and tours.
- Actively participate in regional consortia, pursue continuing education and professional development opportunities.
- Serve as the institutional representative to the Content Creation and Dissemination Program of the Orbis Cascade Alliance.
- Other duties as assigned by the University Librarian, which may include teaching of research methods and liaison subject work.
- Maintains flexibility and awareness of changes in the Library and Puget Sound organization and contributes to the team effort by assuming other similar duties and responsibilities as assigned.Supervisory Responsibilities
This position supervises the Assistant Archivist, student employees, interns and volunteers.
Budget Responsibilities
This position is responsible for the collection budget associated with the department. Assists University Librarian with setting departmental operating budget.
Qualifications:
Candidates must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Graduate degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent archival experience and academic training with evidence of coursework or specialization in archival management and special collections.
- Demonstrated understanding of digital preservation as it relates to archives and records management.
- Experience developing, implementing or managing digitization projects.
- Demonstrated understanding of descriptive systems and principles such as EAD, XML, national standards and archival ethics.
- Ability to be innovative, creative and user-oriented in developing an academic archives program and services.
- A commitment to quality service and to the details of a liberal arts education.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion.Preferred Qualifications:
- Two years experience working in an archive and/or special collections department of an academic library.
- Demonstrated experience working with special collections, manuscripts, archives and artists' books.
- Familiarity with the liberal arts environment and strong evidence of commitment to undergraduate learning.Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work with a variety of materials in various states of repair and cleanliness.
- The work environment requires frequent walking, standing, lifting, carrying and may require collection shifting.Compensation and Benefits:
The anticipated range for this position is $27.75 - $28.05/hourly. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.
Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
- Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
- Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
- Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)Please note**:**
- Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
- Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
- Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.
This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2024 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf (pugetsound.edu)
For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources
Application Deadline:
Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Letter of InterestApplications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.
All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.
University Diversity Statement
- We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives.
- We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
- We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity
The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.
How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment
About Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nations most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.
As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA