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Human Resources Employment Opportunities

Accessioning and Processing Archivist

Apply now Job no: 530219
Position Type: Faculty Full Time, Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Healey Library
Date opened: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

Job Description

A. General Summary of Position:
Reporting to the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist
has primary responsibility for archival accessioning activities and, through the establishment and management of an
archival accessioning program, contributes to the department’s efforts to provide holistic stewardship for all collections
throughout their life cycle.
Under the leadership of the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management, the Accessioning and Processing
Archivist establishes baseline administrative, physical, and intellectual control over new and existing acquisitions, which
include a wide range of formats, including (but not limited to) papers, photographic materials, audiovisual materials, and
born-digital materials. Following an accessioning-as-processing model, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist creates
and oversees the creation of initial description for all departmental holdings, ensuring responsible administrative and
physical control and basic intellectual access for all material at time of accession, and providing the infrastructure upon
which any future archival work will be built. In collaboration with the Associate University Archivist for Collection
Management, the Accessioning and Processing Archivist also supports the department’s dynamic, access-driven
processing program, and collaborates with the Digital Initiatives Archivist to design, implement, and maintain workflows
for sustainable born-digital accessioning and processing.
Guided by archival best practices and in consideration of departmental guidelines and needs, the Accessioning and
Processing Archivist will be forward thinking and have a deep understanding and practical knowledge of the archival,
scholarly, and community-centered cultural heritage practices that inform the mission and work of the UMass Boston
Archives.
 
B. Examples of Duties:
• Contributes to both the Collection Management unit’s and the department’s policies and procedures, and the
design of productive workflows.
• Designs and implements archival accessioning workflows and procedures for both newly acquired and
backlogged collections through approaches that are user-focused, access-driven, and aligned with national
professional standards and best practices.
• Engages in pre-custodial assessments and preparation of collections for physical and custodial transfer to the
Archives, working closely with the University Archivist and Curator of Special Collections.
• In accordance with archival best practices and ethical standards, establishes physical, legal, and intellectual
control of incoming and backlogged acquisitions, facilitating location management and physical storage of
incoming and backlogged acquisitions.
• Leads the development and implementation of systematic accessioning strategies for departmental-stewarded
collections and provides and implements recommendations to scale an evolving accessioning program.
• Prepares and presents statistical, narrative, and visual reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with the Digital Initiatives Archivist to develop and implement standards-driven policies and
workflows for the transfer and accessioning of born-digital archival materials.
• Collaborates with the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management to ensure systematic
preservation and conservation assessment practices and interventions, integrating these into departmental
workflows.
• Monitors, oversees, and routinely reports on environmental conditions related to the health of archival
collections, such as (but not limited to) lighting, temperature, and relative humidity, reporting problem areas as
needed and appropriate.
• Assists in developing and implementing long-range plans for storage of physical collections through assessment
of space, storage, and collections.
• Supervises and directs the work of project assistants, graduate assistants, interns, and student employees to
support archival accessioning, processing, and related activities.
• Supports the department’s access-driven processing programs, including collection processing work in addition
to accessioning endeavors as appropriate.
• Contributes, as possible and in consultation with the Associate University Archivist for Collection Management,
to advancing the outreach and engagement goals of the Archives, including teaching archival instruction
sessions, assisting with installation and scheduling of exhibitions, and participating in the department’s
community-centered participatory archiving programs.
• Participates in activities, committees, and initiatives that support the mission and administrative success of the
department, library, and university.
• Monitors current developments, trends, and emerging technologies in the field of archives and special
collections and engages with professional communities.
• Actively engages in archives and special collections communities of practice, representing the Archives and
Healey Library in local, regional, and national-level conferences, consortia, and other arenas.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
C. Minimum Qualifications:
• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program or equivalent accredited
degree with formal training in archival theory and practice, and a minimum of 2-3 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of current issues and emerging trends in archives, including the Society of American Archivists’ (SAA)
Archival Accessioning Best Practices, SAA’s Guidelines for Reappraisal and Deaccessioning, OCLC’s Total Cost
of Stewardship, and other standards-based approaches to archival collection management and preservation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current standards for archival description, cataloging, and archival metadata
(including DACS, AAT, MARC, TGM).
• Strong working knowledge of descriptive tools and access and preservation systems (such
as ArchivesSpace, DuraCloud, CONTENTdm, Quartex, and Preservica, or similar).
• Strong organizational and project management skills, and experience with project management tools (such
as Airtable).
• Ability to work in environmental conditions that may include exposure to heat, cold, dust, noise, pests, and
mold.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively and communicatively as part of a dynamic team in a
rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to lift, move, carry, and push items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Incumbent will be required to maintain a current and valid driver’s license throughout the duration of
employment in this position. The incumbent will be required to travel.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience evaluating the effectiveness of products and systems that support the description, management, and
processing of archival collections.
• Experience analyzing processes, developing policies, and implementing changes to promote alignment and
greater efficiency of operations.
• Ability to proactively solve problems and manage competing deadlines.
• Ability to manage complex tasks under time constraints and multiple competing priorities
while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, and confidence in working with the public.
• Effective and culturally competent communication and outreach skills, particularly in supporting diverse
communities.
• Experience working in higher education environments.

 

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range between $67,000 and $97,000 for this position.  

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on the consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

 

Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

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The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

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