About this position
Manuscripts Processor
Description: The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) is pleased to announce a search for a full-time Manuscripts Processor in the Cleveland Jewish Archives. The position supports a four-year initiative to process and digitize collections related to local Jewish history.
The Cleveland Jewish Archives of the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) was established in cooperation with the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland in 1976. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, and make accessible documents, photographs, memorabilia, art, and artifacts related to the Jewish community of Northeast Ohio. The collection includes manuscripts, photographs, microfilm, newspaper collections, and audiovisual recordings.
Western Reserve Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Jewish Federation and The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in making this position possible.
Responsibility: Responsible to the Curator for Jewish History for the assessment, accessioning, inventorying, arrangement, description, processing, preservation of manuscripts, creation of finding aids, and maintaining donor relationships.
Classification: This position is classified as temporary, full-time, professional and is exempt with regards to overtime compensation.
Coordination:
1. Coordinates on associated WRHS endeavors for library and archival projects, including exhibitions, public programs, special events, educational programs, and as otherwise needed
2. Maintains associations with a variety of professional organizations to remain current on professional standards and matters in the archives field as well as promote WRHS and its interests
Supervision: Supervises interns and volunteers as needed.
Duties:
1. Arranges, processes, and preserves collections in accordance with accepted professional standards and practices, including understanding and implementation of DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard) and Encoded Archival Description
2. Describes collections accurately and appropriately in accompanying finding aids including using Encoded Archival Description for online finding aids
3. Maintains professional standards for work environment and records of collections – including confidentiality, deed of gifts, stewardship, processing, storage, etc.
4. Collaborates with Archives Team to communicate and address project progress, production challenges, and workflow needs
5. Participates in development and implementation of policies and standards for the archives
6. Occasional travel and evening and weekend hours may be necessary to accommodate WRHS operations
7. Supports WRHS’s strategic and operational priorities
8. Undertakes other duties as assigned by the Curator for Jewish History
Qualifications:
1. Education: Master’s degree in library science (MLIS) with an emphasis on archival processing and management and interest in Jewish history preferred. Bachelor’s degree in history or related field required
2. Experience: Two years of archival processing experience
3. Outstanding analytical, organizational, project and time management skills, and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
4. Evidence of active membership, participation, and involvement in professional and scholarly associations related to archives and/or libraries or willingness to join such organization(s)
5. Ability to be proactive, flexible, and collaborative in order to accomplish library and institutional goals
6. Demonstrated proficiency and capability with information technology systems in the context of a special collections library and archival program
7. Experience with legal and ethical standards associated with archival and manuscript collections
8. Excellent written, verbal skills and strong interpersonal skills
9. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion
Salary Range: $43,000 - $45,000 in addition to the following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Life Insurance and paid time off
NOTE: This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent on the annual renewal and availability of grant funds. Expected length of the project is four years; however, project may run shorter or longer.
If interested in applying, please email your cover letter and resume to Jennifer Dukes, Human Resources Manager at jdukes@wrhs.org.
