Archivist for Collection Development - Yale University

Location: USA - CT - New Haven

Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.


Position Focus:
Reporting to the Director, leads the department's program of collecting modern manuscript collections, and assists with collecting materials on university history from non-Yale sources. Liaisons with appropriate department staff to ensure that collecting activity can be supported by available departmental resources and supports the department’s collecting vision as established through periodic collection development retreats. Coordinates and facilitates the collection development work of department subject area specialists and provides training in working with donors and securing signed deeds of gift. Assesses potential collections, identifies materials of interest, documents site visits through field notes, negotiates deeds of gift, and documents accessions in collections management systems. Ensures paper and electronic donor files are kept current by staff engaged in collection development work. Writes, updates, maintains all appropriate documentation of collection development policies and procedures. May train and supervise support staff and student assistants. Contributes to departmental reference, instruction, and outreach activities, including providing reference service to researchers and Yale University offices, and preparing and conducting primary source instruction. Serves on the department administrative leadership team and contributes to the administration of the department including long range planning, formulation of policy, and resource development and allocation. Contributes to the work of the Yale Library through membership on committees, taskforces, or engagement with Library programs and events. Makes substantive contributions to the regional, national, and/or international archival profession.


Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent accredited degree, with formal training in archival theory and practice. In selected instances, a post-graduate degree in museum studies or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences may be substituted for a master’s degree in library science.
• Experience arranging and describing or providing public services for manuscript and/or archival collections.
• Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice may be substituted for formal training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current national data content and structure standards related to the archival control of collection materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival and library management systems.
• Demonstrated job or school experience with basic preservation and conservation standards for archival and manuscript collections.
• Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability.
• Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion. Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments (see range assigned to this description as noted in the posting position title). Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html

Required Skills:

• Minimum of two years of professional experience required, including demonstrated success working with donors, evaluating potential collections of materials in all formats, and negotiating deeds of gift.
• Demonstrated understanding of current copyright laws as they apply to the acquisition and use of primary source materials in all formats.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the issues related to the acquisition of born-digital materials.
• Demonstrated ability with and commitment to inclusive conduct and cultural competency, contributing to an inclusive environment in which individuals of a broad range of cultures, backgrounds, abilities and perspectives work productively and creatively together.
• Demonstrated active and substantive participation in regional, national and international professional activities relating to the selection, care, and use of modern documentary resources. Undergraduate or graduate coursework in twentieth-century American History.

Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html.


Preferred Education, Skills and Experience:

• Experience working in an academic repository.
• Experience teaching with primary resources.
• Course work requiring research using primary resources.
• Graduate degree in American history or related field.

The University and the Library
The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual growth and supports the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including around 15 million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections. Housed in eighteen buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Center for Science and Social Science Information, and the Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of approximately five hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers. For additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the Library's web site at www.library.yale.edu.


Manuscripts and Archives, Sterling Memorial Library:
Manuscripts and Archives is a major center for historical inquiry and also serves as the documentary memory of Yale University. For more information about the department, please consult the website: http://www.library.yale.edu/mssa/.


Salary and Benefits
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more.


How to Apply
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications, consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references should be submitted by applying online at https://bit.ly/2qkwtES.


Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Company Website: https://bit.ly/2qkwtES