Tufts Archival Research Center (TARC) is the archives and manuscript repository of Tufts University and is open to the public. TARC’s team of professional archivists provides stewardship for the Tufts University Archives, nearly three hundred manuscript collections, and other permanently valuable physical and digital archival materials. TARC staff also assist Tufts students, faculty, and staff with recordkeeping activities, through records management and digital library services. TARC's stewardship responsibilities are mandated by the Board of Trustees, as outlined in the University Records Policy. TARC is a unit of Tufts central administration, serving all schools and reporting to the Office of the Provost.

Tufts Archival Research Center seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking individual to oversee its technical services, collection management and archival processing operations. The Head of Technical Services’ responsibilities include directly managing professional archivists in the collection management unit, including the Records and Accessioning Archivist and Digital Archivist and all archival processing, description, collection assessment, and preservation activities at the Tufts Archival Research Center. The Head of Technical Services is responsible for managing and refining processes ensuring responsible stewardship and management of the University’s collections of enduring value in all formats as well as ensuring that collections are available for use by the University community and outside researchers.

The position will shape the way TARC processes, manages, provides access to, and facilitates discovery of archival collections in support of research, teaching, and learning at the University. This work will include directing extensible archival processing practices; developing policies, procedures, and workflows for productive and sustainable processes; ensuring a user-centered, access-driven approach in all archival processing work; and seeking out opportunities for iterative improvement and innovation.

Basic Requirements:

• Years of related experience required: At least 5 years experience in an archives or special collections department in a research library or similar setting.
• Required education: MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution, with a concentration in Archives, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required computer/technical skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be comfortable with word processing, spreadsheet and database software and have knowledge of technologies and standards related to archival processing and description. Ideal candidates will have advanced technical skills including experience with tools and skills used to manage and manipulate descriptive data.

Other:  

• At least 3 years of experience processing archival records including experience with pragmatic and extensible processing procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to appraise historical records.
• Knowledge of relevant standards for archival description including DACS, EAD, and EAC-CPF, and familiarity with other metadata standards.
• Knowledge of strategies and technology developed or adopted by the archival community for managing born-digital archival material.
• Knowledge and awareness of current trends in the digitization of archival material for access and preservation.

• Demonstrated experience managing or implementing technologies and systems  and other innovative approaches to improve workflows and access to and stewardship of archival collections.

• Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring other employees, articulating vision and goals, and managing multiple projects and staff members to accomplish the work of a unit.
• Strong decision-making, project management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Candidates should exhibit a strong user focus and public service orientation, excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to embrace change.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Python, XSLT/XQuery or other scripting languages or interest and aptitude in developing these skills
• Experience providing reference services for archives and special collections.
• Experience working in an active university records program 

Special Work Schedule Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Occasional exposure to dirt and dust. Occasional weekend and evening work required.

About Tufts University

This is Tufts. Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway). Our employees light the way. Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world. At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you. Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ...Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most. We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging. Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world. An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at [email protected]. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/

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