Archives Assistant

Whitman College • Walla Walla, WA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Whitman College is seeking an Archives Assistant to manage and supervise the Archives Reading Room, providing services to patrons including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and visiting scholars. This role supports the Whitman College and Northwest Archives and is involved in all aspects of archives administration, including reference, digitization, instruction, arrangement and description, and preservation of materials. This is a part-time position (0.5 FTE, 1040 annual hours) funded until June 30, 2029, with reevaluation thereafter.

Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and collaborate with diverse individuals, teams, and groups.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Specific computer skills, including standard office applications (Microsoft Suite, Google Drive) and the ability to learn specialized software (ArchivesSpace, Adobe Products).
• Project management skills, including the ability to determine and follow an efficient workflow and meet deadlines, prioritizing projects as needed.
• Knowledge relating to conducting academic research, including understanding how to conduct research without the aid of generative or other Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
• Ability to stay on task in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Flexibility to handle unforeseen problems and circumstances; ability to exercise independent judgment within specific guidelines and standards.
• Actively and positively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and access.
• Ability to page and retrieve boxes weighing up to 30 lbs using ladders and carts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience conducting research within academic libraries.
• OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of archival practices and archival research.
• Knowledge of, or interest in, the history of Whitman College, the Walla Walla Valley, or the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience working in libraries, archives, or museums.

Responsibilities

• Conduct reference interviews in person, by phone, post, and email, providing patrons access to relevant manuscript, archival, print, and electronic resources.
• Supervise the Reading Room, assisting patrons and ensuring the security of materials.
• Manage the main archives email, online booking software, and researcher appointments calendar.
• Maintain patron usage statistics and metrics.
• Page and re-shelve archival materials and rare books, assisting with logistics for class sessions and events.
• Oversee the daily operations of the archives in the absence of the Collections Archivist and College Archivist and Head of Special Collections.
• Complete digitization project requests and upload materials with appropriate metadata into various access platforms.
• Handle correspondence and billing for document and image reproduction services and use permissions.
• Assist with arrangement and description of manuscript, archival, artifact, or digital materials as directed.
• Receive and maintain newspaper and periodical collections housed in the archives, collaborating with Technical Services staff.
• Contribute to additional projects related to institutional needs, including Maxey Museum records management.

Benefits

• Medical/Vision Insurances
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.
• Paid Time Off: vacation and sick leave based on hours worked
• Tuition Remission – Dependent Children
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level