APWA Archivist
IMPORTANT - This is a grant-funded position, not to exceed 18 months of support for the selected candidate.
The Sheridan Libraries is home to the American Prison Writing Archives (APWA). We are seeking an APWA Archivist who will provide support for the APWA project by establishing collection policies and processing the records of the organization. The APWA’s mission is to replace misrepresentation of prisons and imprisoned people with first-person witness by those living in legalized confinement by soliciting, preserving, digitizing and disseminating the work of imprisoned people and volunteers. Through this work, the project grounds national debate on mass incarceration in the lived experience of those who know prisons best. The records of the APWA include both the administrative records of the project as well as records collected as part of the project. The Archivist will consider the privacy and legal implications for these records and establish an APWA collecting policy, create and implement a records retention policy, and codify policies for access to the physical collection.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- In coordination with the University Archivist and the APWA team, establish and implement a collecting policy, a records retention policy, and an access policy for the records of the organization.
- Arrange and describe the existing records of the APWA and create an online finding aid in accordance with the established policies.
- Serve as an advisor to the APWA team when making decisions about records disposition.
- Consult with university General Counsel on questions related to records disposition.
- Work with Digital Archivist to establish and implement a digital preservation plan for project records.
- Make connections with similar prison history projects nationwide in order to assess the landscape of prison witness archives and the state of their preservation and access.
Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of records management theory, standards/best practices, legal issues regarding the retention and destruction of records, and technologies (including sustainable formats for electronic records).
- Effective written and verbal communication with all levels of staff, faculty, and management, including attentive listening and active conversation skills.
- Familiarity with an archival collection management software such as Archivists Tookit, ArchivesSpace, Aeon, or other.
- Knowledge and experience with processing materials of creators from marginalized and/or vulnerable communities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in library science, archival studies, or related field.
- Two years professional experience processing archival collections.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with similar collections.
- Experience with processing social justice collections.
- Experience in interpreting records management policies as well as providing advice, practical assistance, and training to non-experts regarding records management projects, questions, and issues.
- Experience in developing and implementing records management or other policies.
Classified Title: Archivist
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PC
Starting Salary Range: $53,800-$74,100 ANNUALLY (Commensurate w/ exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:30am - 5pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Mount Washington Campus
Department name: University Archives
Personnel area: Libraries