Project Archivist (FIXED TERM)

PROJECT ARCHIVIST (Fixed Term)

University of Southern California Libraries

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.

Job Description:

The University of Southern California (USC) Libraries is seeking a Project Archivist (FIXED TERM) to join the Technical Services and Collection Development unit. Reporting to the Accessioning Archivist, the Project Archivist will survey, arrange, and describe the Second Baptist Church Los Angeles (SBCLA) records, comprising approximately 130 linear feet of SBCLA's organizational records created between 1900 and 2015.

The Project Archivist will process the SBCLA records at the folder level and create a DACS-compliant finding aid using ArchivesSpace. In collaboration with USC Libraries and SBCLA stakeholders, the archivist will help ensure that the finding aid's description and terminology accurately reflect the historical context of the materials in the collection. Lastly, the Project Archivist will coordinate the migration of digital assets and prepare a separate finding aid for a related collection of digitized audio recordings documenting the SBCLA's history.

This is a grant-funded position with a fixed term of one year.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Surveys, arranges, and describes the Second Baptist Church Los Angeles (SBCLA) records at the folder level
• Creates DACS-compliant finding aids for the SBCLA records and a related collection of digitized audio recordings using ArchivesSpace
• Employs national, international, and local standards for describing and enabling discovery of archival holdings
• Ensures appropriate preservation measures are taken for long-term stability of materials
• Separates and restricts access to collection materials with privacy concerns
• Contributes to project reports and documentation as required by the USC Libraries and the project's granting agency
• Collaborates with USC Libraries staff and SBCLA stakeholders on outreach and engagement opportunities related to the collection

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from an ALA-accredited program or non-U.S. equivalent
• Experience using ArchivesSpace to create finding aids
• Experience with project management strategies and tools
• Familiarity with the 2020 "Guidelines for Efficient Archival Processing in the University of California Libraries (Version 4)" published by the UCLA Library
• Familiarity with approaches to processing and describing digital archival holdings

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Two years of experience processing archival materials
• Considerable specialized knowledge of contemporary archival and records management principles and practices
• Knowledge of and experience with preservation standards and procedures for archival materials
• Demonstrated interpersonal, project management, analytical, and research skills
• Experience working with electronic records and databases
• In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

The annual base salary range for this position is $71,887-78,000. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

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Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree
Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
2 years
Minimum Skills:
Considerable specialized knowledge of contemporary archival and records management principles and practices.
Knowledge or background in preservation management.
Demonstrated interpersonal, project management, analytical and research skills.
Requires computer skills and ability to work with electronic records and databases.
Experience utilizing digital reproduction technologies such as scanners and digital cameras for preservation.
Preferred Education:
Master's degree
Preferred Experience:
3 years
Additional Preferred Skills:
Experience as an archivist or special collections curator.
Training and experience in conducting research in primary and secondary sources.
Supervisory ability and experience.