Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter
Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at the University of British Columbia (UBC)

Location: Vancouver, BC
Compensation: $4,688.67 - $6,754.00 CAD Monthly

The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam people). With a mandate to support access to residential school records for Survivors, their families and communities, IRSHDC prioritizes respectful, Indigenous-led and trauma-informed research, information practice and education. It facilitates critical dialogue about the Indian Residential School system, seeking to engage the UBC community and the broader public on the origins, effects and ongoing legacy of the schools. IRSHDC has an active oral testimony program in service to Indigenous nations and is developing digital systems and spaces of inquiry to model a new platform for information stewardship.

Description and Duties    

The Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter has training and experience in research and/or library, archives and museums. This individual coordinates IRSHDC's response to records and research-related inquiries from Survivors and their families, primarily, but also from other researchers and the general public. The Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter works with a small team of staff and students who assist with the research; the individual oversees the workflow entailed in answering inquiries. They also undertake significant research themselves. With the guidance of the Research and Community Liaison Librarian, they respond to Survivors and their families, other researchers and the general public via email, phone or in person.

The Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter also oversees the IRSHDC's docenting program, in which visitors to the exhibit space are welcomed and, where appropriate, individuals and small groups are given a guided introduction to the space. The Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter serves as a docent themselves, staffing the docenting desk on a half-time basis. They contribute to the ongoing design, development and implementation of the docenting program.

Organizational Status

The Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter reports to the Senior Systems and Metadata Specialist and the Research and Community Liaison Librarian. They work in close collaboration with the IRSHDC's engagement team as well as with the research and collections teams.

Work Performed

Research:

• Coordinates IRSHDC's response to research- and records-related enquiries working directly with Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of residential schools, primarily, as well as other researchers and the general public.
• Coordinates the work of a small team of staff and students who undertake research in response to inquiries.
• Identifies and implements relevant methodologies in Indigenous studies and trauma-informed studies to inform IRSHDC's response to records- and research-related enquiries.
• Supports IRSHDC's research ethics initiatives, including their formulation, renewal and amendment.
• In response to research inquiries, identifies relevant repositories, collections and literature related to residential schools and related colonial systems, institutions and policies.
• Undertakes original research in online and analogue repositories.
• Writes up research findings and reviews research reports from team members.
• Collates responses to research inquiries and develops and/or enhances research guides, thereby expediting responses to future inquiries.
• Facilitates information sharing amongst IRSHDC's staff by ensuring that these guides are shared with other teams, including the research and collections teams.
• Implements other tools that enable information/research sharing within and across teams at IRSHDC.
• Works collaboratively with the collections teams to integrate findings from research inquiries into the ongoing design and development of the collections' website.
• Participates in collections' metadata work to ensure that research findings inform the development of metadata.
• Participates in the development of other research and collections' initiatives.

Docenting:

• Oversees IRSHDC's docenting program, including developing policies and procedures related to the program; undertakes long-term planning for the program and provides training for student docents.
• Collaborates closely with colleagues in engagement, ensuring best practices and protocols in engagement are reflected in the docenting program.
• Contributes to the ongoing development of the IRSHDC exhibitions, interactive systems and public programming.
• Collaborates in developing resources for IRSHDC lessons, workshops and/or conferences
• May represent IRSHDC at wider community events.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Digital Collections Specialist and Interpreter will exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact in working with Survivors and their families; faculty, staff and students; the general public; and colleagues at other institutions. Good judgment in the assessment of materials is imperative, as are organizational skills and attention to detail. Errors, poor judgment and inappropriate decisions can negatively impact Survivors and their families; faculty, staff and students; and the general public.

Supervision Received

Works with independently under the direction of the Senior Systems and Metadata Specialist and the Research and Community Liaison Librarian.

Supervision Given

May oversee and direct the work of work-learn students, contractors and/or technicians.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field (Indigenous studies, history with an Indigenous concentration, archival studies, or library and information science, for example).   
• Verifiable experience working with Indigenous communities; prior experience working with Survivors and their families preferred.
• Commitment to an Indigenous- and Survivor-centred approach to research, and engagement.
• Knowledge of the Indian Residential School system, its history and ongoing legacy and that of allied colonial institutions such as child welfare and healthcare.
• Familiarity with the development of ethics as applied to Indigenous-related research and records.
• Experience with archival research, including using online archival databases, other online repositories and print-based archives.
• Exceptional organizational ability; including the ability to gather, record and organize research information.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and also to collaborate with colleagues in a team environment.
• Ability to build effective relationships with staff members and to work in teams in a way that is empowering to team-mates.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and with changing priorities, including demonstrated self-care skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including cultural agility and active listening.
• Commitment to self-discovery and awareness, and sustained learning and development, particularly with regard to Indigenous people's histories in Canada and the development of trauma-informed practices.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Sound judgment, tact and discretion.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing).

 
Application information

Please use the  job ad on the UBC website to apply for this position: https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcstaffjobs/details/Digital-Collections-Specialist-and-Interpreter_JR12945?q=IRSHDC

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023