Processing Archivist, South Side Home Movie Project

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

2d

About The Position

The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP), part of the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life, seeks a part-time Processing Archivist to support its CLIR-funded Digitizing Hidden Collections project, Filming Mid-Twentieth Century Black Life in Chicago: The Ramon Williams Collection. SSHMP collects, preserves, digitizes, exhibits, researches, and makes accessible home movies created by Chicago’s South Side residents, supporting a community-centered visual record of underrepresented histories.

Working under the supervision of SSHMP leadership, including the Project Director and Project Manager, the Processing Archivist will process, digitize, describe, and preserve audiovisual materials and make them publicly accessible in alignment with professional archival standards and SSHMP’s community-centered stewardship model. The role focuses on digitization and digital preservation and runs from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. The position is approximately 20 hours per week.

The position also performs routine library-unit assignments involving the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources, resolves processing problems with units, and identifies and documents preservation needs. With moderate to high guidance from others, the archivist helps ensure the preservation of library materials in electronic and digital formats. Other related work may be assigned.

Requirements

• College or university degree in a related field.
• Knowledge and skills developed through less than 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, clean, repair, digitize, and create access files for most of the remaining Ramon Williams films, including conducting inventories and condition assessments, preparing materials for digitization, and coordinating specialized preservation processes when needed.
• Create, edit, and manage audiovisual metadata using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary.
• Research people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films to produce accurate, inclusive, and context-rich descriptions.
• Ingest digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and support access through its online platform.
• Improve discoverability through subject tagging, keywording, and descriptive annotations informed by scholarly frameworks and community knowledge.
• Conduct quality control on digitized files and metadata records for accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
• Document processing workflows, metadata decisions, and digitization outputs in accordance with grant reporting and sustainability standards.
• Contribute to collection-level and thematic resources, such as finding aids, digital exhibits, or interpretive essays, that support public understanding and use of the collection.
• Work with SSHMP staff on community-informed archival practices, including reviewing user-generated metadata and preparing materials for public programming, exhibitions, and digital storytelling initiatives.
• Participate in project meetings to assess progress, refine workflows, and align work with grant deliverables.
• Assist with documentation and reporting required by the CLIR grant.
• Support SSHMP’s broader public programming and 20th anniversary initiatives as needed.
• Perform routine library-unit assignments related to the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources, and resolve processing problems with units.
• Identify and document preservation needs and, with moderate to high guidance, help ensure the preservation of library materials electronically and digitally.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The position is benefits-eligible. The University of Chicago offers eligible employees health, retirement, and paid time off programs; specific offerings are described in the Benefits Guidebook.

What This Job Offers

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