Digital Collections, Web, and Information Manager, and University Archivist, Position #2023

The American Heritage Center of the University of Wyoming is seeking a Digital Initiatives and Web Manager at the assistant or associate archivist level.  The AHC seeks creative, dynamic, articulate, and out-going professionals interested and skilled in digitization, web development, electronic records, collection development, records management, 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 Manager reports to the Associate Director of the AHC.

The Manager will collaboratively plan, schedule, and implement the creation of digital collections. The Manager will provide leadership in the creation and delivery of digital content that responds to the needs of the AHC’s collections and preservation priorities. These include digitization of archives and special collections and other materials in text, image, audio, and video formats; and participating in the development of a digital repository systems to preserve and make accessible the intellectual output of the University of Wyoming.

In particular, the Manager will:

• Supervise .5 FTE as well as student assistants;
• Oversee operating procedures and workflows;
• Investigate and establish appropriate standards (technical, metadata, etc.) and quality control procedures;
• Prioritize and coordinate digitization production;
• Investigate, plan, and manage format conversions and migrations;
• Maintain awareness and develop in-depth knowledge of new technology, relevant national standards and best practices

The Manager will also maintain and expand the AHC’s award-winning web site and web applications using standards-compliant markup, and maintain currency with metadata schema, web technologies and best practices. The Manager will serve as the principle resource at the AHC and campus-wide on selection, long-term preservation, and description of electronic records and other born-digital material of lasting importance. S/he collaborates with UW Information Technology and UW Libraries on technology, electronic records, and information management issues. Performs systems administration for the AHC’s integrated library system.

The Manager also functions as the University Archivist. Provides records management services to the university community, including appraising, scheduling, disposing, and processing records of lasting value. Serves as liaison with the Wyoming State Records Committee and works with the Wyoming State Archives on records management issues.

Qualifications: Required: Master’s degree in Library Science, Information Science, Computer Science/Systems Management, Public History, or other allied discipline. Progressively responsible experience with the concepts and software/hardware applications used in organizing and presenting digital information. Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and implement effective programs, complex projects, and services. Excellent organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to handle complex analytical and detailed work. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex and rapidly changing environment. Familiarity with one or more markup languages (HTML, XHTML, etc.) Familiarity with relational database design principles. Experience with design programs, e.g., Photoshop, DreamWeaver. Knowledge of current electronic records theory and practice. Familiarity with records management principles and practice.

Preferred: The ideal candidate will present a strong combination of demonstrated experience and knowledge in many of the following areas: Obtaining grant funding and managing grant funded projects. Metadata and associated functional standards, including Dublin Core, EAD, TEI, MARC, and appropriate thesauri. Developing interfaces for Web resources, including knowledge of database management principles and software. Knowledge of software systems such as Luna and Fedora. Knowledge of current digital library technologies, standards, and best practices. Demonstrated competence with XML, XSLT, Javascript, AJAX and/or other scripting languages related to web services. Advanced knowledge and experience with electronic records programs in an archival setting. Experience in implementing records management programs, particularly working with public records.

Salary and Benefits:  Salary range $40-$55k depending upon qualifications and starting rank ( 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.