Assistant Archivist for Reference and Processing, Position #4426

The American Heritage Center of the University of Wyoming is seeking an assistant archivist for Reference and Processing.  The AHC seeks creative, dynamic, articulate, and out-going professionals interested and skilled in arrangement and description, reference, collection development, and outreach.  The successful candidates will have knowledge of large 20th-century archival collections and their administration.  S/he will be comfortable interacting with US Senators and undergraduate students, business executives and teaching faculty, archivists and fundraisers.

The AHC is a major research archive independent of the University’s libraries and reporting directly the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The AHC is one of the largest and busiest modern manuscripts repositories in the US, and its professional employees have a strong track record of leadership and scholarship in archives administration, special collections librarianship, history, women’s studies, and other fields.  Recent emphasis at the AHC has been on minimal processing and cataloging, collection policy redefinition, and a reappraisal program.

Archivists at UW have faculty status with extended term appointments possible after five years.  The incumbent reports to both the Manager of Arrangement and Description and the Manager of Reference. The incumbent participates in collection development, donor relations, and on-site assessment and acquisition of material as assigned. Split duty responsibilities: Reference: Performs reference service for the American Heritage Center reading room, including working 2 - 3 half-day shifts per week on the reading room desk, supervising the reading room. Assists patrons in finding materials appropriate to their research. Answers reference requests for off-site patrons. Curates exhibits to emphasize breadth of AHC collections. Arranges for coverage of all reading room desk shifts and prepares the weekly reference desk schedule. Arrangement and Description: responsible for preparing archives materials for patron use. Appraises, organizes, and applies appropriate collections maintenance to collections, and produces original catalog records and finding aids, using MARC, DACS, and EAD. Maintains appropriate files (hard-copy and electronic). Engages in other collection management duties as needed.

Qualifications: Required: MA or MLS with a concentration in archives administration; strong knowledge of US history; knowledge of recent changes in archives practice, particularly minimal processing; expertise in cataloging in MARC21, application of DACS, and creation of EAD finding aids; reference and outreach practices; strong interpersonal skills; excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to work well under pressure; self-confidence; professional creativity and willingness to think beyond “how it’s always been done”; deep commitment to the archival profession evinced by active participation in regional and national organizations, presentation of papers and submission of articles, and continuing education. 

Preferred:  Experience processing, cataloging, and providing reference service, particularly in a public university setting; experience with donor relations; experience with large (250 feet+) modern (1950+) manuscript or archival collections; experience appraising large modern collections or record groups in the field; evidence of professional leadership; experience in exhibit curation; experience with other metadata standards, such as Dublin Core.

Salary and Benefits:  Beginning salary: $35k ( Wyoming has no state income tax, and cost of living is low). UW’s benefit package includes health and life insurance, retirement funded solely by the university, and tuition benefits for employee and their spouse.  This position is afforded 22 vacation days per year plus an additional full week paid leave during annual Christmas to New Year campus closure.  Detailed information regarding the Laramie area, the University of Wyoming, the AHC, and the benefit package can be found on the web at http://www.uwyo.edu/. UW is an equal-opportunity affirmative-action employer. The university has a special interest in promoting diversity and internationalization. We welcome inquiries and applications from all qualified people, including people from underrepresented groups and from all nationalities.

Application:  Applicants should submit a letter of application, a resume/vitae detailing relevant academic coursework and experience related to this position, and the names and contact information for three professional references, preferably by email to choskins@uwyo.edu.  Follow email with printed copy to: Cricket Hoskins, Business Manager, American Heritage Center, Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071. Review of applications will begin immediately and this position will remain open until a suitable candidate is hired.