Processing Archivist
Description:
The University of Houston (UH) Libraries seeks a Processing Archivist who will work in the department of Special Collections to process archival materials across a variety of subjects and formats. UH Special Collections holds primary source collections of distinction to support teaching, learning, and scholarship, on campus and globally. Our priority collecting areas include energy and sustainability, Houston and Texas history, women’s studies, performing and visual arts, Hispanic studies, and LGBT history, among others. The Processing archivist works closely with archivists, librarians, and staff to achieve the goals of the Special Collections department in alignment with the strategic priorities of UH Libraries.
Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the successful candidate will arrange and describe archival materials in alignment with departmental policies, guidelines, and professional best practices. The position creates descriptive inventories and finding aids using archival content management systems, such as ArchivesSpace, and prepares them for ingest into the UH Libraries catalog and the Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) repository. This position involves routine collections assessments, rehousing activities, and stacks maintenance for processed and unprocessed collections, done in collaboration with the Preservation and Reformatting department. The position also collaborates with the Resource Management and Metadata department to establish, apply, and maintain collection metadata. Additionally, the Processing Archivist oversees the archival processing work of students and interns and participates in departmental reference and research support activities, including regular reference shifts in the reading room.
The University of Houston is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution in the heart of a diverse city and state. The university prepares students to thrive in a globally interconnected world while contributing impactful research and innovation to the region and beyond. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences who are prepared to engage in this environment.
The Processing Archivist is a librarian position. Librarians hold academic rank pursuant to the University of Houston Libraries’ Bylaws Document. They are expected to develop a record of service, scholarship, and professional involvement. The UH Libraries support the ongoing professional development of librarians, and our goal is to recruit librarians committed to continuous learning.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an American Library Association-accredited program.
- Archival processing experience; experience through internships or practicums will be considered
- Proven capacity to work effectively and collegially in teams
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills
Preferred:
- Familiarity with multiple levels of archival processing (detailed item-level, More Product Less Process, etc.)
- Basic understanding of metadata standards (DACS, EAD, MARC, for example)
- Supervisory interest or experience as it relates to managing student workers
- Project management skills
Salary: $63,500-$65,000 expected hiring range, depending on qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package; choice of retirement programs including TIAA; tax-deferred annuity program available; release time to take a class up to 3 hours/week; no state or local income tax.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications should be submitted at https://careers.uh.edu/jobs/processing-archivist-houston-texas-united-states. Visit the UH Libraries Employment page for more information: https://libraries.uh.edu/about/employment/. Potential applicants seeking further information should contact Santi Thompson, Interim Associate Dean for Organizational Development, Learning, and Talent at 713-743-9685 or sathompson3@uh.edu.
Library Information: UH Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance, HathiTrust, the Council on Library and Information Resources, the Digital Library Federation, the Texas Digital Library, Associate of Academic Health Sciences Libraries, and the South Central Academic Medical Libraires Consortium. The campus libraries provide access to over 3.1 million volumes. The University Libraries’ total staff is 160 FTE, including 62 professionals. Additional information about UH Libraries is available at https://libraries.uh.edu.
UH Libraries has recently launched a new strategic plan (https://libraries.uh.edu/strategic-plan) in alignment with the University’s ambitious strategic plan (https://uh.edu/strategic-plan/).
General Information: The University of Houston, a dynamic research institution founded in 1927, stands as a vibrant hub of academic excellence and cultural diversity in Texas. With over 46,000 students, it offers a comprehensive range of programs across 15 colleges, fostering innovation in fields such as energy, health, hospitality, business, education, law, STEM, and the humanities. Boasting top-tier faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, student success initiatives, and a strong commitment to community engagement, UH prepares students to thrive in a globally interconnected world.
The University’s prime location in America’s fourth-largest city supports extensive industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities. Renowned for its energy industry and NASA’s Space Center, Houston is home to a vibrant cultural scene with world-class museums, theaters, and restaurants. The University of Houston is an institutional member of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. Houston thrives as a hub for innovation, education, and arts, fostering a unique blend of community charm and modern progress.
Appointment to this position is contingent on the results of a completed criminal history records investigation.
The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution and recognizes protected classes of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, religion, age (40 and above), national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or status, and gender expression as required by federal law. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.