Archives Specialist

Ball State University Libraries seeks an enthusiastic and collaborative team member to join our Archives and Special Collections team. The Archives Specialist works directly with researchers and students, teaching groups about the collections, and creating online learning materials. The Specialist also participates in the acquisition, digitization, processing, preservation, promotion, and use of the rare and unique treasures in the collection. If you enjoy working with people and would like to help us preserve and tell the stories of our community, this might be the position for you.
Degrees in public history, museum studies, teaching, and related fields are encouraged to apply, but any background will be considered.

At Ball State University, inclusiveness is one of the enduring values and informs all of our work. We define 'inclusiveness' as a commitment 'to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.' As such, this value incorporates a commitment to inclusive excellence and freedom of expression.

Provide user access to the historical, cultural, and educational teaching and learning materials in Archives and Special Collections by participating in the acquisition, digitization, processing, preservation, promotion, and use of the unit's collections and services; train and supervise students, interns and graduate assistants; manage reference, instruction, exhibition, and office functions; support an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative work environment and service culture to advance the strategic direction of the University Libraries.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent in library science, history, or related area.

Over one through three years of experience in archives, library or related area; supervisory and teaching or training experience.

Strong organizational skills; effective oral and written communication skills; working knowledge of basic Microsoft Office applications; physical ability to lift archival boxes weighing up to 35 pounds and to push a loaded cart up to 150 pounds.

Advanced degree in library or archival science, history, or related area.

Experience with information technology applications in an archive and/or library environment, including imaging technology, digital databases, and metadata standards.

Students, interns and graduate assistants

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master's, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Salary Grade Level 12 E

Provide research assistance and instructional services for students, faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and the general public; provide instruction in the use of archives and manuscript resources to students, faculty, staff, and community users.

Assign and review work, orient and train student employee(s), and make recommendations as to interviewing and selection, performance appraisal, and discipline; areas of training and supervision for students and interns include archival processing, scanning, archival description and metadata creation, retrieval of resources for students and researchers, and assisting with preparation and installation of exhibits.

Manage Archives and Special Collections' administrative functions, including student, intern and graduate assistant scheduling, establishing, and supervising office workflows, analyzing data, conducting statistical analysis and preparing reports, and monitoring and ordering supplies.

Plan, coordinate, curate, and implement exhibit program; including research, planning, and selection of materials, preparation of written text, design, installation, and promotion of exhibits; develop web-based exhibits for educational and promotional purposes.

Analyze, select, organize, and prepare archival, manuscript, photographic, audio, moving image, and other materials in Archives and Special Collections for digitization to make accessible in the University Libraries' digital repositories; research, create, and record descriptive data for materials to be digitized.

Analyze, organize, describe, and preserve archives and manuscript collections in compliance with professional and national standards; create descriptive finding aids for archives, manuscripts, and other items in the special collections according to archival guidelines; develop and manage databases and web-based discovery tools for facilitating collection access.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experience align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please select one of our enduring values and describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to that value in your professional endeavors.