CSU Processing Archivist

California State University•Carson, CA

3d•$5,115 - $5,217•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Dean, University Library, the CSU Processing Archivist performs complex and technically specialized collection and administrative functions in the Gerth Archives and supports efforts to preserve and make accessible archival materials relating to CSU Archives collections. The Processing Archivist provides expertise on topics related to the cataloging and metadata creation of physical, digitized and born-digital materials, video, audio, and paper records. Responsibilities include the arrangement and description of archival collections, the preparation of descriptive finding aids in Archives Space, meta-data records for digital materials in ContentDM, answering reference queries, and student employee projects. The Processing Archivist creates metadata and arranges and describes archival materials in CSU collections. As a member of the Gerth Archives team, the incumbent provides assistance via email, in-person, and by telephone, with an emphasis on CSU Archives questions. The incumbent also assists with the coordination of conservation, reformatting, and environmental stabilization initiatives as well as ensuring written archival policies and procedures are up to date. The Archivist works in a highly collaborative manner with all Gerth Archives personnel. The Archivist works with databases such as ContentDM and ArchivesSpace, participates in department wide collection and cataloging activities, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Completion of a high school education or equivalent certification plus two to three years of related library and/or clerical experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Ability to catalog and generate metadata as well as scan and transcribe materials in accordance with best practices.
Knowledge of how to digitize materials and coordinate the arrangement and description metadata into systems for storage, discovery, and display.
Knowledge of how to use the ContentDM digital asset management system and the ability to ingest metadata into the system.
Ability to generate finding aids in Archives Space and the Online Archive of California.
Ability to communicate effectively using standard English.
Ability to work collaboratively with Archives staff to evaluate, appraise and supervise the transfer archival materials.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree in history or other related degree.
One year of experience in an archival or special collections environment.
Knowledge of the operations of an archive including use of all appropriate software and database management software.
Outreach and public service experience.
Knowledge and understanding of library-based descriptive standards including Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and Resource Description and Access (RDA).
Knowledge of current best practices related to access for born-digital collections.
Knowledge of and experience with strategies and technology such as, digital preservation, and systems developed or adopted by the archival community for managing born-digital material.
Working knowledge of specialized applications and tools such as ContentDM, HTML, Adobe Acrobat, and OCR and standard computer office applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, computer operating systems, storage systems and file formats.
Familiarity with standards for description and preservation of special collections holdings including EAD, MARC, MODS, METS, DACS, RDA, and PREMIS.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and time management skills.
Knowledge of current best practices related access for born-digital records.

Responsibilities

Creates metadata for CSU Archives digital materials and prioritizes collections to be cataloged.
Collaborates in the development and maintenance of digital resources including scanning, meta-data development, file naming and makes recommendations for materials to digitize.
Arranges and describes archival materials, including the creation of finding aids.
Provides archival reference assistance via email, in-person, and telephone modalities, with a focus, as needed, on CSU Archives queries.
Participates, as time permits, in outreach duties that may include oral history and exhibition assistance, LibGuide creation, social media postings, archives website updates, public programming, and blog or article writing and generates new ideas for departmental website.