SEMINARY ARCHIVIST

Report to

Dean of Library Services

Department

Library Services

FLSA Status

Salary Non-Exempt

JOB PURPOSE

To serve Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary by collecting, preserving, and making accessible the seminary’s institutional archives and special collections, ensuring long-term access, organization, discoverability, and stewardship of materials for users.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· 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.

· Build an institutional repository and generate EAD-encoded finding aids in the repository's collections management database.

· Appraise and accession new collection materials, exercising professional judgment to ascertain the ongoing research value of new collections.

· Contribute to management and control activities, including collections assessment, stacks and equipment maintenance, space planning, and archival supplies monitoring.

· Contribute to special projects of institutional significance.

· Work within cross-department initiatives, including collection, organization, and preservation activities.

· Support reference and research services as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

· Send correspondence to other campus personnel as needed.

· Cooperate as a team member with the library staff in performing any duty essential to the achievement of efficient library operations, such as communication, troubleshooting, and decision making.

· Take part in library staff meetings as arranged by Dean of Library Services.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

Include, but not limited to:

· Christian with high integrity, actively pursuing a relationship with God

· Bachelor’s degree required

· If candidate does not already possess graduate-level training in archival studies from an SAA-recognized program, candidate must agree to enroll in such a training/certificate program within one year of beginning the position and complete said program within three years of enrollment

· Demonstrated knowledge of, or recent coursework in metadata standards, particularly the following, is preferred: Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), AACR2, RDA, and LCSH

· Understanding of tools, platforms, and software used to manage, preserve, and provide access to physical and digital archival records, such as ArchivesSpace and Preservica, is preferred

· Subject familiarity with one or more of the collecting foci of Midwestern Seminary’s institutional archives and special collections is preferred, particularly Southern Baptist history, Baptist history, and the history of evangelical Christianity in the United States

· Previous library/archival experience is preferred

· Already possesses a basic knowledge of institutional archives, what they do, how they function, and the purposes they serve

· Able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision

· Able to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency

· Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar

· Able to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear, and effective manner

· Must be able to compose business correspondence

· Able to show courtesy and wisdom in dealing with sensitive issues and in contacts with all library patrons (students, staff, faculty, trustees, and campus visitors)

· Experienced in the use of common office equipment and software, including Canvas LMS, and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access, as well as library software necessary for online catalog searches, interlibrary loans, and circulation

· Able to use databases effectively, such as ATLA, OCLC FirstSearch, SBPI, etc., or to search effectively for information on the Internet

· Positive attitude with a desire and willingness to learn

· Able to multi-task, analyze workload, and prioritize as necessary for the benefit of the library

· Strong attention to detail

· Must be able to pass background screening, including driving record

· Eligible to work in the United States

BENEFIT PACKAGE

Full-Time employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package including:

· Medical

· Dental

· Vision

· Telehealth

· Health Savings Account

· Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care

· Employer Paid Life & AD/D for the employee as well as dependents

· Voluntary Life & AD/D

· Employer Paid Long Term Disability

· Voluntary Short Term Disability

· Voluntary Supplemental Benefits from AFLAC

· 403(b) Retirement

· Paid Sick Leave and PTO

· MBTS / Spurgeon College Tuition Reimbursement for employee and dependents

· Access to on campus cafeteria and coffee shop

· Access to on campus gymnasium, exercise facilities, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS

· Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Frequently required to sit or stand for periods of time at desk or computer station

· Occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms

· Able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the position.