Special Collections Processing Archivist

Special Collections Processing Archivist

Posting Details

POSTING INFORMATION

Internal Title

Special Collections Processing Archivist

Position Type

Classified

Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration

Non-Faculty

Pay Band

5

Level

4

Department

Library

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Technical Services Coordinator for Special Collections, the Processing Archivist is a team member in the Special Collections unit within the College Libraries. The Processing Archivist is responsible for the accessioning, arranging, describing, and preserving the Special Collections manuscript and archival collections according to the priorities set by the Technical Services Coordinator for Special Collections. They work closely with the Technical Services Coordinator to ensure compliance with national best practices and standards for the processing of archival materials and with other Special Collections staff and faculty to support the department’s strategic priorities. This position also helps as needed to provide reference services to researchers, assisting with patron requests at the reference desk as well as remote reference queries.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and related professional experience.
• Training and experience in archives processing, including preservation, arrangement, and finding aid creation.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Library and Information Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution.
• One or more years of experience arranging and describing manuscript collections in a library or archives setting.
• Experience with multiple levels of archival processing, including efficient processing practices.
• Familiarity or experience with archives collection management tools such as ArchivesSpace.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of current national archival and descriptive standards and best practices, including working knowledge of DACS and other archival descriptive standards.
• Evidence of analytical, organizational, project management, and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and complete tasks and projects on time and in accordance with task/project parameters.
• Proven capacity to work independently and collaboratively to meet goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrated consistent accuracy and attention to detail while sustaining a high level of productivity.
• Demonstrated strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be able stand and sit for extended periods, bend or stoop as necessary, and lift up to 40 pounds.

Additional Comments Regarding Position

Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.

Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.

All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Salary

*$44,833 - $55,000

Posting Date

06/06/2025

Closing Date

06/30/2025

Benefits

• Insurance: Health/Dental/Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave: Sick/Annual/Parental
• Retirement
• Long Term Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Free CARTA Bus Service
• Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Full Benefits Package – Click Here

Open Until Filled

No

Posting Number

2025070

EEO Statement

The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu.

Quicklink for Posting

https://jobs.cofc.edu/postings/16731

Job Duties

Job Duties

Activity

Accessioning, Processing, and Appraisal:

• Creates accession records for newly acquired collections according to department accessioning policies and workflows.
• Arranges and describes new and backlogged manuscript collections in all formats in accordance with current professional standards and best practices.
• Creates finding aids for each collection, describing the creator and the subject content, including detailed container inventories, and enters collection data and description into the library’s instance of ArchivesSpace.
• Creates work plans to record basic information about the collection and processing, including the arrangement scheme, the estimated duration of processing, and decisions made during processing.
• Ensures appropriate physical housing and storage of collections and performs basic preservation work.
• Evaluates content in collections with special focus on identifying sensitive and restricted materials.

Essential or Marginal

Marginal

Percent of Time

90

Activity

Research and Reference Services:

• Helps to staff the Special Collections Reference Desk as needed. Provides access to archival collections while also maintaining their security and preservation.
• Conducts reference interviews to navigate and direct patron research needs. Advises students, faculty, and other researchers, both in-person and remotely, and provides direction and support in the use of Special Collections resources and services.

Essential or Marginal

Essential

Percent of Time

10