"Oral Historian"

Details

Posted: 21-Dec-25

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Categories:

• Academic/Faculty
• Library/Information Sciences

Internal Number: 65212

Position Number: 008732

Department: Library (Adm)

Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time

Months Per Year: 12

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for planning and conducting oral history project activities, and managing oral history recordings deposited in J. Murrey Atkins Special Collections and University Archives. These activities include identifying potential interviewees, conducting interviews, creating descriptive metadata using professional standards, training campus partners and community members in oral history interview procedures, and managing interview data. This position works closely with archivists within the Special Collections and University Archives unit for oral history project planning, instruction, outreach, description, and digital preservation. This position also provides reference public services for the department.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads efforts to conduct outreach and coordinate oral history projects on topics relating to the university and the Charlotte region
• Coordinates oral history project logistics including conducting background research, scheduling interviews, securing equipment, and preparing interviewees
• Conducts oral history interviews in accordance with Oral History Association best practices
• Ensures accurate documentation of interviews, including summaries, descriptive metadata, and transcripts (where appropriate)
• Collaborates with colleagues on community engagement, instruction, and outreach efforts
• Collaborates with colleagues on developing policies, procedures, and workflows related to the arrangement, description, and preservation of oral history recordings and related materials
• Develops relationships with University and community partners, organizations, and other potential interviewees
• Carries out arrangement, description, and preservation activities for oral history interviews
• Trains community and campus partners in oral history interview procedures
• May supervise student workers and interns
• Participates in providing reference services
• Engages in professional service and scholarship
• Participates in library and university faculty governance
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Experience / Education:

The minimum academic credential required for applicants for faculty positions in Atkins Library is completion of a master's degree in the field of library and information science from a program accredited by the American Library Association by time of interview.
Graduation with master's degree in a specialized area directly relevant to the position description may be an acceptable substitute in certain situations if approved by the Dean. A second masters in another discipline or an earned doctorate is highly desirable.

Preferred Education Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of two years of experience working with and conducting oral histories (including internships, student and volunteer work, community archives, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with oral history programs, historical research, interview techniques, and audiovisual equipment
• Familiarity with the history and culture of Charlotte, the Carolinas, or the American South
• Knowledge of archival principles, metadata standards, and digital preservation practices related to managing oral history recordings
• Demonstrated experience teaching or training others to conduct oral histories
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Knowledge of ethical practices in oral history, including informed consent and confidentiality
• Excellent written, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse community setting
• Demonstrated ability to work with others on the formation of policies, procedures, and long-range plans
• Proficiency in relevant software applications for audio editing, digital asset management, and archival databases
• Commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect and inclusion
• Project management experience
• Participation in relevant professional organizations.