Job Summary
The mission of this position is to describe, organize, and provide reference service for the folklore materials held in the William A. Wilson Folklore Archive (WFA) and other manuscript collections as assigned.
Essential Functions
- Under the direction of the 21st Century Manuscript curator, enable discovery of unique research materials through arrangement and description of manuscript collections (50 percent)
- Accession incoming collections
- Analyze and write a description of the content of records
- Identify the format and genre of records
- Record descriptions of records according to Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local application guidelines (including the Wilson taxonomy), in accordance with an established processing plan
- Identify and maintain original order of records, or reorder materials according to an established processing plan
- Analyze the current physical condition of records and identify those that need preservation actions
- Hire, train, and supervise student employees who will assist with processing
- Identify and research materials (10 percent)
- Work with campus faculty teaching folklore to acquire the student projects submitted to their classes
- Ensure submissions have proper documentation and coordinate their ingestion into the WFA
- Reference and Outreach for folklore collections (20 percent)
- Serve as the Special Collections liaison to folklore faculty in the English Department
- Create guides for accessing folklore materials
- Give class presentations on folklore materials
- Assist students with folklore assignments using existing folklore materials
- Assist in the creation and promotion of exhibits featuring folklore materials
- Revision of finding aids for digital projects (10 percent)
- Identify and correct elements of record descriptions not compliant with DACS and local application guidelines
- Rewrite notes or add descriptive elements missing from existing descriptions according to an established processing plan
- Citizenship (5 percent)
- Attend department meetings and accept committee assignments within the department
- Professional Development/Continuous Learning (5 percent)
- Participate in department, library, and university trainings.
- With supervisor, determine other position-related professional development activities and the scope of involvement. (Examples are included in the Principles and Procedures Related to Staff/Administrative Professional Development Document.)
Education/Experience
Minimum education/experience required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Preferred:
- Folklore experience or educational emphasis in folklore
- MLS/MLIS degree and/or archives experience
Skills, abilities, knowledge, licenses, certifications:
Required:
- Ability to conduct library or archival research
- Ability to organize diverse materials and manage projects
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Flexibility and ability to work both independently and in collaborative teams
- Strong planning and personal management skills
- Excellent attention to detail
Preferred:
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of folklore studies.
- Knowledge of archival principles and practices
- Knowledge of archival standards (e.g. Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Resource Description and Access, etc.)
- Knowledge and experience with arrangement and description of personal papers and/or organization records
- Experience using ArchivesSpace or another archival information management tool
Employee Class: 3/4 Time (28 hour)
Work Location: Provo Campus
Physical Exam Required: Y
Physical Exam Details: Moderate physical effort represented by frequent handling of medium weight objects (approx. 20-50 lbs.) and materials, or use of medium weight hand tools. May require climbing and working from ladders or in awkward positions. Typical physical efforts include:
- Climbing ladders or footstools, 5 minutes, 4 times per day
- Relocating a 40 lb. box of archival materials, 5 minutes, 4 times per day
Desired Start Date: As soon as possible
Job Close Date: 05/14/2023
Pay Level: 49
Approximate Starting Salary: $20.50 - $26.50 hourly, depending on qualifications
Documents Required at time of Application:
Required: Cover Letter, Resume
Optional: Letter of Recommendation
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend.
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.