Archives Specialist
USask, University Archives and Special Collections

Location: Saskatoon, SK
Compensation: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $49,301.00 - 77,033.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

University Archives and Special Collections (UASC) constitutes the official memory of the University and represents the accumulated experience of this community that has greatly contributed to the history and development of Saskatchewan. UASC also has extensive collections of rare and historical books and Canadiana material.

Description and Duties    

Primary Purpose: To provide high level public services within the University Archives and Special Collections (UASC) division of the University Library; and to provide leadership and expertise for a wide range of activities supporting the accessibility, discovery and promotion of UASC archival collections.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Operations Manager, University Archives & Special Collections (UASC) and working closely with UASC employees, your work would involve both technical services and public services, with a primary focus on archival collections. The work is highly detailed, with rigorous intellectual demands, and considerable judgment and decision making required. There is frequent interaction with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and/or other experienced visiting researchers as well as supervisors, peers, and other employees. Your ability to work effectively in an evolving and innovative environment and balance competing deadlines, priorities and tasks is essential. The need to be flexible to meet expectations is required. You would be required to work independently to solve problems in collaboration with the Operations Manager and faculty.  You would assist UASC support staff with the resolution of more complex issues and archival reference questions, and provide technical leadership and mentoring for archival processing, reference, and related functions.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this position may involve both on-site and remote work.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Undertakes archival processing: arranges and describes a wide range of archival material based on division guidelines and national standards; provides staff mentoring, training, and content review
• Provides in-depth (Tier 1 and 2) information/research services to USask faculty, students and staff, and external patrons/researchers; first point of contact for staff assistance and referrals relating to archival collections
• Triage access and privacy reviews, including vetting for restrictions during processing
• Oversees archival accessioning workflow
• Supports the acquisition of archival collections, including contact with university and external donors
• Assists with ongoing monitoring of archival storage facilities
• Functional lead for IT platforms used to manage and access archival collections, e.g. ArchivesSpace, AtoM
• Lead or co-lead for UASC's outreach activities including the website, social media, Archives Week, articles in university publications, and digital projects; leadership may include both project management and content development.
• Collaborates in the delivery of group orientation and instruction
• Undertakes selected conservation work
• Supports UASC's physical exhibition program
• Is a member, lead, or resource for library and university committees, task forces, and working groups as required
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications    

Education: An undergraduate degree is required. Specialized education in archival studies and/or allied research-based disciplines is considered an asset. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience:

Relevant employment experience in archives (minimum five years).
Experience (two years minimum) with both archival in-depth reference service and archival accessioning, arrangement and description
Experience with archival description and metadata standards (e.g. Rules for Archival Description, Dublin Core, Encoded Archival Description)
Experience with the application of access and privacy guidelines/legislation to archival collections
Experience with IT platforms used to manage and access archival collections (eg. AtoM, ArchivesSpace)

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of archival practices and standards
• Demonstrated ability to analyze collections, apply appropriate organization schemes, write descriptive summaries, and create archival finding aids
• Demonstrates the competencies required for reference work
• Knowledge of Western Canadian and prairie history is an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of requirements relating to confidentiality, privacy and copyright as applied to collections being processed and researcher inquiries
• Demonstrated ability to use and learn a variety of software and online tools
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Reliable, dependable, and self-motivated
• Ability to demonstrate diplomacy and discretion
• Demonstrated ability to use judgment and apply effective investigative, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, work independently, use initiative, and effectively handle disruptions
• Excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with others in a team environment
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to change, and ability to support others in the change process.
• Possesses a tactful, responsive, pleasant and effective manner in all personal interactions
• Possesses the physical ability to perform moderately heavy lifting (approximately 11 kg)

Additional Information: Department: Library
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $49,301.00 - 77,033.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Number of Openings: 1

The University believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.
 
Application information

Please apply online.  Tips on applying online can be found at https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php#OnlineApplicationInstructions
https://usask.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/14/requisition/7357/application?c=usask&jobboardid=0#1

Application Deadline: September 30, 2021