About This Role
This processing archivist position is a critical part of the Archives & Special Collections' mission to collect, preserve, and make accessible Wheaton College's institutional archives and special collections. The role ensures long-term access, organization, and stewardship of materials and discoverability for diverse users. The Processing Archivist will work collegially and collaboratively within the Archives & Special Collections and across the Library to promote its mission and values.
Responsibilities
- Arrange, rehouse, and preserve archival records, working across diverse physical and digital formats, in accordance with nationally accepted archival principles, standards, and best practices
- Describe archival collections according to nationally accepted archival standards, generating EAD-encoded finding aids in the repository's collections management database, ArchivesSpace, and creating records in MARC format to upload to the Library's online public access catalog
- Appraise and accession new collection materials, exercising professional judgement to ascertain the ongoing research value of new collections while faithfully and independently representing administrative, legal, and descriptive information about new materials in ArchivesSpace
- Contribute to management and control activities, including collections assessment, stacks and equipment maintenance, space planning, and archival supplies monitoring
- Serve on cross-department initiatives, including digital exhibits and preservation activities, contributing to preservation and reformatting activities
- Participate in unit-wide meetings, decision-making, and planning activities
- Supervise, train, and manage archival student workers
- Provide Manuscripts Reading Room desk coverage on occasion, and support reference and research services as needed
Requirements
- Master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program in hand or in progress, or equivalent combination of advanced degree in a relevant discipline (Museum Studies, Public History, History) and related experience
- 1-3 years of experience in a library, archives, or museum setting, working with diverse collections and users
- Ability to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners
- Capacity to work autonomously, exercise professional judgement, and make independent decisions within the scope of assignments
- Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks, and complete projects in a timely manner
- Experience using Microsoft Office suite and comfortable learning new systems and platforms, and applications
- Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Committed to diversity, growth, and dynamic environments; desire to grow in professional role and develop further expertise
