Library Paraprofessional - Special Collections

Position Announcement

The Special Collections Paraprofessional is an integral team member in the Special Collections and Archives, involved in project and record management, processing, digitization, reference, and cataloging. This position reports to the Assistant Librarian - Head of Special Collections and Archives. Additional information about the Library and Special collections can be found online at https://library.utahtech.edu/.

Responsibilities

Collection Management & Organization:

• Accession archives acquisitions according to established procedures, including procuring deeds of gift, creating accession records, and ensuring all accessioned materials receive appropriate housing and tracked locations.
• Process archival collections in all formats following department standards, including arranging, rehousing, and describing materials consistently using DACS-compliant description, archival theory, and local documentation.

Collection Description:

• Create finding aids in Archives Space.
• Create descriptive and technical metadata for digitized collections on Omeka using Dublin Core and XML.
• Create baby-bibliographic records for Special Collections acquisitions.
• Work with the Head of Special Collections and Archives to develop long-range planning efforts, including ensuring racially and culturally sensitive language in new archival description, establishing policies and workflows for description, and proposing solutions to achieve accurate and consistent metadata.

Research Assistance:

• Provide reference services to researchers in Special Collections and Archives, over the telephone, and through email and chat.
• Make reference reproductions for researchers.
• Advise researchers on and supervise proper handling of SC&A materials.

Digital Conversion:

• Coordinate the in-house digitization of archival materials and collections, including image capture, scanning, and digital conversion of audiovisual media, following accepted preservation and access guidelines and standards.
• Update and document digitization instructions and workflows. Quality control check digitization work completed by other staff.
• Digitize magnetic tape audio including cassette and reel to reel.
• Prepare digitized files for digital collections. Post process clean up, combine audio files as needed, and export to compressed files for online distribution.

Oral History Project Management:

• Lead the successful completion of oral histories, including transcribing, reviewing, indexing, cataloging, and providing online access, using digital collection software.
• Maintain oral history project workflow and project management tracker. Oversee student workers and volunteers working on oral history projects.

Administrative:

• Participate in the ongoing assessment and updating of Special Collections and Archives procedures, forms, and workflows in collaboration with other SC&A faculty/staff.
• Participate in assessing and updating Special Collections & Archives digital presence to meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards.
• Assist with data collection for and revision of annual report.
• Train and/or supervise SC&A student employees and volunteers.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required. An equivalent combination of post-secondary education and library experience will also be considered.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new programs quickly.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Strong organizational skills, as well as effective interpersonal, collegial and communication / presentation skills (both oral and written).
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment, handle multiple priorities, and accept new challenges in order to realize departmental and library goals.
• Ability to outreach and maintain positive relations with individuals and community groups of varied beliefs and backgrounds
• Preferred: Experience with a digital repository, digitization processes, and standards.
• Preferred: Familiarity with and knowledge of the history, geography, and cultures of our collecting scope regions: Utah's Washington and Kane counties, the Arizona Strip, and the Big Muddy region of Nevada.
• Preferred: Knowledge of archival description and arrangement.
• Preferred: Familiarity with ArchivesSpace, Omeka, Dublin Core, MARC, LCSH, and XML.
• Preferred: Experience with conducting, transcribing, and digitizing oral histories.
• Preferred: Supervisory experience.