Archives Assistant
About The Position
The Denver Public Library (DPL) is hiring for a 2-year limited-term Archives Assistant position. This role will provide behind-the-scenes support for the library’s growing collection of over 6,000 archival collections. Responsibilities include accessioning (recording and describing newly acquired collections), organizing and searching for records, and describing materials in various formats. The focus will be on accessioning and describing an unprocessed backlog of archival material in the African American Research Library collection. Tasks may involve reviewing papers, photographs, and objects, creating descriptive inventories, and contributing to museum inventory projects such as rehousing and identifying physical objects within existing collections. The position will also improve descriptions within the African American Research Library (ARL) collection and work with museum and library collections specialists to care for physical objects and paper-based collections. Occasional travel between the two Special Collections and Archives (SCA) repositories in downtown Denver is expected. This position is ideal for someone considering a career in library, museum, or archives work, or for those in the early stages of higher education in these fields.
Requirements
- Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate.
- Three (3) years of full performance office support/clerical work.
- Ability to organize, arrange, and describe unpublished materials comprised of various formats.
- Knowledge of and interest in African American history and the history of the American West with emphasis on Denver and Colorado.
- Ability to use workplace technology effectively including email, calendar, internet, video conferencing, searching databases, creating spreadsheets.
- Ability to teach and assist volunteers with technology and new processes.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to demonstrate initiative, innovation and flexibility, including proposing process improvements.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, positive attitude, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor in working with customers, coworkers and community members.
Nice To Haves
- An interest in archives and special collections work in a public library setting.
- Ability to creatively problem-solve, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
- Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility.
- A passion for archives and special collections work in a public library setting, knowledge of the history of African Americans in the American West with an emphasis on Denver and Colorado.
- Skill at managing multiple projects at once.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong writing and communication skills.
- Finds following workflows satisfying and thrives on attention to detail.
- Strong customer service skills.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Three (3) years of work experience in a customer service-driven, detail-oriented environment.
Responsibilities
- Accessioning (recording and describing material to officially transfer newly acquired collections to the library) papers, photographs, and born-digital collections.
- Organizing and searching for records in our institutional archives.
- Accessioning and describing an unprocessed backlog of archival material in the African American Research Library collection.
- Reviewing papers, photographs and objects and creating descriptive inventories.
- Contributing to museum inventory projects such as rehousing and identifying physical objects within existing collections.
- Improving upon descriptions within the ARL collection.
- Working with museum and library collections specialists to help care for physical objects and paper-based collections to make them accessible to the public.
- Occasionally traveling between the two SCA repositories in downtown Denver.
Benefits
- Four (4) Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Pension Plan for Life (employee contributes 8.45%, employer contributes 17.95%) and 457 (b) Retirement Plan
- PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year), quarterly wellness hours, and 12 paid holidays
- CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
- Enhanced Work/Life Balance: Employee Assistance Program (6 counseling sessions per year, legal assistance, financial counseling, discounted recreation center passes), Employee Volunteer Program
- Professional Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources ; Education Refund Program
- EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
