Research and Reference Archivist
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.

Position

The Research and Reference Archivist has training and experience in research and/or library, archives and museums. This role is responsible for creating a research toolkit related to Indian Residential Schools in British Columbia. The purpose of the toolkit is to provide Survivors, intergenerational Survivors, their families, and researchers from Indigenous communities with assistance in locating and accessing records related to the residential schools, particularly records related to the missing children of unmarked graves at or near the sites of the schools.

The toolkit will consist of a meta-guide that addresses current practices with regard to archival research. It will then address research at specific repositories, including but not limited to, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Library and Archives Canada, Royal BC Museum and Archives, national and provincial church archives, and smaller municipal and local repositories.

The Research and Reference Archivist will bring together research guides currently available at each site, whether related to the holdings generally or to residential school records in particular. Finding aids related to residential schools will also be included in the toolkit.

This role will also serve as a source of research support for Indigenous community researchers, working directly with all involved to locate and access residential school records. It will provide onsite and online training sessions for community researchers both on archival research generally and on researching specific archives that house records related to residential schools.

Organizational Status

The Research and Reference Archivist reports to the Research Manager and the Collections Manager and will be part of a team consisting of the project staff working with the Royal BC Museum and Archives. The individual will work closely with the research and collections team at IRSHDC and they will collaborate with staff in archives across the province and nationally.

Work Performed

• Develops a guide to archival research focusing on residential school records and including repositories at the local, provincial and national level.
• Conducts and manages a list of archives in British Columbia, nationally, and internationally that hold records related to Indian residential schools in British Columbia.
• Evaluates existing research guides, finding aids and liaises with archivists at repositories to develop a research toolkit; advising on access to residential school records policies and practices.
• Collaborates with Research and Collections team to identify gaps, share knowledge, and enhance research and reference services.
• Designs and presents training session onsite and online related to archival research, with a focus on research of residential school records.
• Serves as a source of research support for community researchers, answers questions from them, ascertains their research needs, and tailors training sessions to them.
• Performs other related duties in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of the role.  

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research and Reference Archivist 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 independently under the direction of the Research Manager and the Collections Manager.

Supervision Given

May oversee and direct the work of work-learn students.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years 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

• Graduate degree in Information Studies preferred.
• Experience with archival research including using online archival databases, other online repositories and print-based archives.
• Knowledge of the Indian Residential School system, its history and ongoing legacy, and that of allied colonial institutions.
• Commitment to an Indigenous- and Survivor-centred approach to service and work; prior experience with Survivors and their families preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities and partners.
• Experience engaging with Indigenous communities, Elders and Survivors. Demonstrated Indigenous cultural competency including knowledge of Residential School system, and prior work with cultural centers is preferred.
• Experience with equity-seeking groups and decolonizing initiatives is valued.
• 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 colleagues.
• Ability to think analytically, work well under pressure, prioritize tasks, and demonstrate a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to exercise discretion and tact, displaying sound judgment and initiative.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing).
• Superior leadership, motivational, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Application information

Please apply using the UBC careers' website: https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcstaffjobs/job/Research-and-Reference-Archivist_JR13906-1

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. (PST)  on Wednesday, August 30, 2023