Archivist

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Radcliffe Institute?

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, known colloquially as Harvard Radcliffe Institute, is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring together students, scholars, artists, and practitioners to pursue curiosity-driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute's commitment to women, gender, and society. The Emerging Leaders Program is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship.

The Institute’s work is shaped by its history as the former Radcliffe College—a school founded to ensure that the standard of education embodied in Harvard was accessible to women, who were then excluded from the University. But the legacy of Radcliffe College is not simply coeducation at Harvard; it is the recognition that universities will always be greater when they draw wisdom and talent from the widest possible pool.

Take a look at this video to get different staff perspectives on working at Harvard Radcliffe Institute!

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America documents the lives of women of the past and present for the future and furthers the Radcliffe Institute’s commitment to the study of women, gender, sexuality, and society. The Archival Technical Services unit at Schlesinger Library fosters the discovery, use, and care of archival and manuscript materials through various activities including accessioning, processing, description, metadata creation, preservation, and collection management. Archival Technical Services’ priorities reflect the Library’s ongoing work to document the history and contributions of women and organizations currently under-represented in our collections.

We seek an Archivist who is passionate about archival processing and its crucial role in fostering discovery and accessibility, and who is committed to equitable representation and inclusive description in archives. Reporting to the Lead Processing Archivist, they will work as part of an inclusive team, participating in and contributing to the evolution of a program of thoughtful, flexible, user-centered archival processing. The Archivist processes diverse archival and manuscript collections, arranging and describing materials according to national standards and best practices; highlighting materials for researchers; and providing widespread public access to collections. This is an opportunity for a critical thinker to join an experienced team of passionate archivists who are working collectively to evaluate and improve our practices while reaffirming our existing strengths.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Appraises, arranges, describes, preserves, and catalogs archival and manuscript collections in both analog and digital formats. This includes evaluating their research value, creating a processing plan, and consulting with conservation staff regarding fragile materials.
• Determines appropriate levels of arrangement and description, using a range of innovative and user-centered approaches to ensure flexible and efficient processing.
• Creates DACS-compliant archival descriptions, including catalog records and finding aids, following national standards and Schlesinger Library procedures and applying best practices for inclusive and reparative description.
• Adheres to procedures outlined in departmental processing manuals and contributes to the improvement and documentation of departmental workflows and practices.
• May undertake additional activities such as photograph cataloging, web archiving, metadata remediation for digitization, participating in donor visits, and exhibit work.
• Covers regular shifts at the Schlesinger Library reference desk.
• May supervise student assistants and interns, including hiring, training, planning and assigning work, assessing performance, addressing performance issues, and resolving problems.
• Monitors current developments, trends, and best practices in the archival profession. Fosters collaborative relationships within the department, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe, and across Harvard Library as appropriate. May represent the department in various collaborative projects and programs within the greater Harvard Library system and beyond.

Working Conditions:

• Work conditions involve a climate-controlled, indoor environment with specific temperature and humidity levels to preserve materials.
• The archivist may encounter dust and mold, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.
• Limited natural light is typical in the workspace, and frequent use of computers and other digital tools is required.

Physical Requirements:

• The physical demands of this position include lifting and carrying boxes up to 40 pounds, managing cartloads of material weighing up to 240 pounds, frequent standing, walking, climbing ladders, and bending to retrieve or reshelve collections.
• Manual dexterity is required to handle delicate archival materials carefully.
• Prolonged periods of examining documents and repetitive data entry tasks are also common.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited MLS (Master’s in Library Science) with a concentration in archives management, or an MA in history or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience processing archival materials in various formats.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of national data content and structure standards related to archival control of collection materials (e.g., DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, AAT).
• Understanding of content appraisal, preservation needs, and issues related to copyright, privacy, and confidentiality in archival collections.
• Flexibility, innovation, and user focus in their approaches to archival processing.
• Familiarity with or interest in current approaches and best practices in inclusive and reparative archival description.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of archival and library management systems, and proficiency with computer technology (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases, XML).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work productively both independently and collaboratively in a collegial, team-based environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with critical thinking and listening abilities.
• Proficiency in one or more foreign languages, particularly Spanish or Chinese, preferred.
• Interest in contemporary U.S. women’s history.

Additional Information

• Please note that cover letters are required for every application for a position at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute.

  • • Interviews: We will be conducting interviews virtually and in-person for selected candidates. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.
      Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
    • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, and Employment
    • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week

Work Format Details

This position is based on-site at a Harvard campus location. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.