UAA Archives Project Assistant (Student)

American University • Spring Valley, DC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

AU Archives & Special Collections is seeking applicants for an Archives Student Project Assistant responsible for processing archival collections donated by the USAID Alumni Association. Working under the supervision of the Associate Archivist for Collections Management, Access, and Discovery, the incumbent will be responsible for all actions involved in archival processing for assigned collections including following a processing plan, researching the collection and creator, collection organization, arrangement, and description, completion of basic preservation measures, and completion of a collection finding aid. In addition, the student assistant may welcome visitors when entering archives and help the office team maintain staff presence in the Reading Room as needed. This position is ideally suited for a student with a strong attention to detail and an interest in working with archival collections.

Requirements

• High school diploma or its equivalent.
• Excellent organization, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work collegially with others and independently, and the ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• The ability to write clearly and legibly using provided formatting guidelines.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new workflows, tools, and technologies.
• Reliable and responsive to communication and feedback in a timely manner.
• Ability to lift items up to 40 pounds and retrieve materials from shelves that are seven feet high.

Nice To Haves

• Preference is given to students enrolled in the School of International Service.
• Familiarity with archives and special collections and experience researching with primary sources.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Office 365 Suite applications, including Excel, Word, and Teams.
• An interest in learning about archival work.
• Applicants with knowledge of international development and international relations may be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Organize, arrange, and describe new and legacy collections using provided tools, systems, and workflows.
• Handle all archival collections materials with care and perform basic preservation measures as instructed.
• Adhere to provided archival arrangement, description, and preservation standards.
• Track and document project progress using provided tools and project plans such as MS Excel, Word, and Teams, etc. in order to meet deadlines.
• Assist office staff with routine administrative functions such as welcoming visitors to Archives.
• Assist with reference requests by retrieving collections materials and staffing the reading room, as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED