Archival Description Technician - (997535.1)
Mount Royal University

Location: Calgary, Alberta
Compensation: $25.49 - 26.51 per hour

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, nearly 15,000 credit students choose from 12 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About the Mount Royal University Library

Housed in the Riddell Library and Learning Centre, the University Library is an integral part of the MRU experience. The Library values a healthy inclusive workplace, encourages a culture of innovation and teamwork, and provides support for professional development.  The Library team consists of approximately 60 employees.

The services, facilities, programming and expertise available in the Library support innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship across campus. The Library includes the Archives and Special Collections, and specialized and technology-enriched teaching and learning spaces, including information literacy classrooms, a Maker Studio, audio production rooms, and a range of visualization, simulation, and immersive spaces.

Description and Duties    

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Collections and Metadata, this position comprises archival description and collections processing functions in support of the Archives and Special Collections at the Mount Royal University Library. Duties include creating finding aids for a variety of archival record types using AtoM archival description software in accordance with national and international standards. The incumbent will also assist with cataloguing rare books and other published material according to current cataloguing standards. These activities will improve user access to holdings via Archives Search (an online descriptive AtoM database), Library Search, and other digital discovery tools. Other collections processing duties include rehousing, reformatting, and digitization that support preservation and access.

This is a full-time, limited term role with an end date of March 31, 2023.

Responsibilities

• Describes textual, audiovisual, and other types of archival records in the holdings of the Archives and Special Collections in a timely and accurate manner, enabling effective  access to holdings by users.
• Interprets and applies national and international standards for archival description and library cataloguing.
• Maintains expertise in national and international description and metadata standards.
• Supports the Archivist and other members of the Archives and Special Collections team in the acquisition, preservation, processing, and digitization of archival and special collections materials
• Physically prepares archival records for storage and retrieval through rehousing and labeling
• Assists with basic preservation of records in a variety of formats, which may include photocopying, encapsulating, scanning, and conducting basic conservation tasks
• Participates in the planning and completion of special projects related to improving access to archival records and rare books.
• Participates in regular Archives and Special Collections team meetings.

Qualifications   

• Archives or special collections-specific training is preferred. This training could include an Archival Technician or Library Information Technology diploma, completion of the Archives Society of Alberta's Archives Institute, and/or equivalent or relevant training.
• Experience working with archival records and/or rare books is strongly considered an asset.
• Experience searching and inputting data accurately into databases
• Knowledge of archival best practices, including archival description and Rules for Archival Description (RAD)
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and to manage multiple projects
  

How to Apply    

Applications must be submitted via the application webpage: https://mtroyalca.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/1894

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

Application Webpage (URL): https://mtroyalca.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/1894

Application Deadline: July 25, 2022