F/T - Processing Archivist, Ctr for Jewish History (NY)

Processing Archivist

The Center for Jewish History seeks a full-time Processing Archivist for a term ending September 30, 2016 with the possibility of extension.  Reporting directly to the Archival Services Manager, the Processing Archivist will participate in the activities of the Archival Services department.  The successful applicant will join a dynamic team of forward-thinking and professionally engaged Center archivists who, in addition to processing, also provide support for digitization projects and other access-oriented services for the archival collections held by the five partner institutions of the Center.

The Center for Jewish History is a cultural institution, independent research facility and destination for the exploration of Jewish history and heritage. It is home to five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The partners’ archival collections total over 30,000 linear feet of papers, and also include thousands of artworks, textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films and photographs.

Responsibilities include:

• Arranging and describing personal papers and institutional records, including born-digital materials, in accordance with contemporary professional standards, vocabularies, and practices (e.g. DACS, AAT, MPLP) as well as local guidelines for processing
• Rehousing collection materials and addressing preservation concerns as needed
• Encoding EAD finding aids using oXygen XML Editor
• Utilizing social media and Wikipedia to raise public awareness of newly processed collections
• Contributing to departmental documentation on processing, encoding, and digital preservation
• Undertaking special projects as assigned
• Occasionally supervising interns or volunteers
• Engaging in professional activities both internally at CJH and externally in the broader professional landscape

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree from a library, information science, or public history program with a concentration in archives management
• Minimum of 1 year experience with efficient processing procedures
• Knowledge of archival theory, practice, and standards (especially DACS and EAD)
• Experience with or coursework in digital media and born-digital files in archival collections
• Strong awareness of information technologies appropriate to archives, including born-digital materials, and high comfort level with spreadsheet software
• Willingness and ability to research and apply new technologies, in particular for born-digital materials
• High capacity for creative problem-solving
• Adept at prioritizing work and meeting multiple deadlines
• Ability to work flexibly, independently and collaboratively in a complex organizational environment comprised of diverse constituencies
• Capacity to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Reading knowledge of German, Yiddish, or other Central or Eastern European languages
• Familiarity with 20th-century Jewish history

Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Send cover letter, resume, three sample finding aids, and three references to Kevin Schlottmann, Archival Services Manager, at kschlottmann@cjh.org.
No phone calls, please.

The announcement is also posted on the Center for Jewish History’s webpage: http://www.cjh.org/p/32.