Job Announcement: 6 Month Project Archivist, Weeksville Heritage Center: Brooklyn, NY

A friend's mother (who is a librarian) passed along this job announcement. It looks like a good opportunity!

Happy New Year!

Larissa

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Posted on behalf of the hiring staff at Weeksville Heritage Center. Please use contact information in the announcement below to apply. Thank you.

Job Announcement: Project Archivist

In Pursuit of Freedom, a collaborative project between Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn Historical Society, and Irondale Ensemble Project in Brooklyn, NY seeks a skilled candidate for the temporary, part-time, grant-funded position of Project Archivist. The successful candidate will report to the Collections Manager and the Director of Research at Weeksville Heritage Center. The appointment is scheduled for a 6 month period to begin in January 2011.

Primary responsibilities:

The Project Archivist is responsible for processing select archives of Weeksville Heritage Center (WHC). WHC’s mission is to document, preserve and interpret the history of free African American communities in Weeksville, Brooklyn and beyond, and to create and inspire innovative, contemporary uses of African American history through education, the arts, and civic engagement. Founded in 1970, WHC is based at the site of the historic Hunterfly Road Houses in the Weeksville section of Brooklyn.

The project, In Pursuit of Freedom, documents the story of abolitionism and the Underground Railroad in Brooklyn. Designed and implemented by the three collaborating organizations, In Pursuit of Freedom will provide new resources for understanding Brooklyn’s leading role in the abolitionist movement through exhibitions, a website, historic markers, walking tours, a commissioned outdoor public art work, an original theater piece, an educational curriculum that will be distributed nationally, and a scholarly symposium. The Project Archivist’s principal work location will be at the Weeksville Heritage Center.

Required Qualifications:

· Masters in Library and Information Science, or equivalent degree, with a specialization in archival management.

· Professional experience processing archival collections, including an understanding of pragmatic and efficient processing procedures.

· Demonstrated understanding of the principles of arrangement and description, and familiarity with archival standards, particularly with DACS.

· Ability to recognize archival preservation issues and to apply basic preservation techniques.

· Knowledge of African American history preferred.

· Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

· Strong organization and time-management skills; attention to accuracy and detail is essential.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

· The ability to lift boxes of materials weighing up to 40 lbs, and to climb a ladder and bend over to retrieve materials.

Compensation:

Compensation is $20.00 per hour with no benefits. The successful candidate will work 25-30 hours per week, Monday-Friday. This position will not be extended beyond the 6 month grant-funded period.

To Apply:

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to Emily Bibb, Collections Manager, at collections@weeksville.org. The subject line of the email should read: Project Archivist Application [your last name]. Please include the following in the application:

· A cover letter that includes a complete statement of the candidate’s qualifications.

· A full resume outlining the candidate’s education and relevant experience.

· A sample archival finding aid completed by the candidate.

· The names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s qualifications for this position.

December 2010

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