Archivist – Continuing Appointment
Archives & Special Collections Department, York University Libraries
York University Libraries (YUL) seeks a dynamic and innovative individual with strong leadership potential to advance York University Libraries' archival and special collections portfolio in support of the research community across campus and beyond.
York University offers a world-class, modern, interdisciplinary academic experience in Toronto, Canada's most multicultural city. York is a centre of innovation, with a thriving community of over 60,000 students, faculty and staff who challenge the ordinary and deliver the unexpected. The Archives & Special Collections (ASC) is a growing and dynamic department of York University Libraries and is located in the Scott Library on the Keele campus. Its archival holdings consist of more than eight kilometres of university records and private papers including an extensive collection of non-textual materials.
The successful candidate will report to the Head of the Archives & Special Collections Department (ASC), a Department that reports directly to the Dean of Libraries and which is situated in the new Research & Open Scholarship Division at York University Libraries. ASC provides leadership around the acquisition, discoverability, promotion, preservation, and use of archival holdings and special collections to support the curricular needs of York University, and provides unique and valuable resources for research by the University community and beyond. The Department is also responsible for recommending the retention of corporate records with enduring value and responding to access requests involving corporate records transferred to the custody and control of the Libraries.
The Archivist works in a collaborative team environment and plays an important leadership role in fostering ASC initiatives and priorities through the professional execution of archival practices, including appraisal, arrangement, description, and physical processing in a wide variety of born digital and analog formats. Responsibilities include facilitating access to archival records through various modes, in particular creating web-based descriptive finding aids; curating physical and virtual exhibits, and engaging in public events and outreach; providing reference support and instruction on archival literacy to students, staff, and faculty; providing expertise around copyright and privacy legislation as it applies to the use of archival holdings; employing standards and best practices to facilitate preservation and access; using project management strategies to effectively complete time-sensitive activities with a high degree of accuracy; assisting in managing the University's corporate records in accordance with mandated retention schedules; liaising with colleagues in regional libraries/archives (and others as appropriate) in order to develop cooperative programs, contributing to scholarly and professional knowledge by carrying out research, preparing presentations, publications, or other creative works, and participating in professional associations; and actively participating in decision-making activities undertaken within the Libraries and the University through collegial contributions to committees and other groups.
The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:
● Masters in archival studies from a graduate program conforming to the Association of Canadian Archivists' Guidelines for the Development of a Two-Year Curriculum for a Master's of Archival Studies or ALA-accredited MLIS (or equivalent) with a concentration in archival studies;
● Professional experience in archives, preferably in an academic setting;
● Demonstrated experience in processing and providing access to archival records within an automated work environment, including working knowledge of the Rules for Archival Description. Experience working with AtoM is an asset;
● Demonstrated leadership capacity and evidence of building effective working relationships with institutional and external colleagues, archival donors, and community stakeholders;
● Ability to work collegially and effectively with a diverse population of colleagues, faculty, staff, and students;
● Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian copyright and privacy legislation;
● Excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills;
● Evidence or promise of research contributions in the form of publications, professional development and/or active involvement in professional or scholarly organizations;
● Ability to undertake physical processing and handling of records, including the ability to lift a full bankers box (equivalent of 18 kg/40 lbs);
● Demonstrated project management skills and ability to balance work priorities;
● Demonstrated ability to be flexible, creative, and to work effectively in a fluid institutional environment; and
● Knowledge of records management practices, such as retention and disposition schedules.
This is a continuing appointment at the Assistant Librarian level available from 1 October 2018. York offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and an exceptional benefits package. All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
Librarians at York University have academic status and are members of the York University Faculty Association bargaining unit ( http://www.yufa.ca/).York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA program, which applies to Aboriginal people, visible minorities, people with disabilities, and women, can be found at http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/ or by calling the AA office at 416-736-5713. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
People with disabilities and Aboriginal people are priorities in the York University Libraries Affirmative Action Plan and are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants wishing to self-identify can do so by downloading, completing and submitting the forms found at: http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/ . Please select the “Affirmative Action” tab under which forms pertaining to Citizenship and Affirmative Action can be found.
Consideration will be given to those who have followed non-traditional career paths or had career interruptions.
York University resources include centres relating to gender equity, race and ethnic relations, sexual harassment, human rights, and wellness. York University encourages attitudes of respect and non-discrimination toward persons of all ethnic and religious groups, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Deadline for complete applications is Friday 6 July 2018.
Interviews will take place between 20 - 24 August 2018.
A letter of application with a current curriculum vitæ and contact information for three references should be sent to:
Chair, Archivist Search Committee
York University Libraries
516 Scott Library
4700 Keele St.
Toronto, ON
M3J 1P3
Fax: (416) 736-5451
Email: yulapps@yorku.ca
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