CURATOR/ARCHIVIST I at University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma

Job Description:

The Collections Manager for the Native American Studies department is responsible for maintaining the collection, both in terms of our current holdings and new accessions, namely in the processing, loaning, digitization, and preservation of print, audio, and video collections. They are also responsible for interfacing with the public, training students, and helping visitors make use of the collections.

Duties:

• Meeting with visitors to the collection, filling patron requests remotely and in-person and giving tours to the public


• Preparing new collections for accessioning, including providing institutional metadata, securing permissions, digitization of older media, and working with the museum registrar to complete accession paperwork


• Processing existing accessions (reformatting, metadata, data management, writing finding aids, etc.)


• Training and supervising student, volunteers, and interns in collection management tasks.


• Functions associated with collections development, including grants and exhibits when applicable. Includes participation in planning, work with external tribal and non-tribal entities, internal systems development and migration, basic edits to Native American Languages web interfaces


• Event planning, registration, and materials management associated with the annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair and other outreach events

Required Education: Bachelor Degree AND:

• 0-24 months of experience in archives, library, or museum-related

Skills:

• Knowledge of best practices for the preservation of both physical and digital objects (metadata standards, data management, etc.);


• Familiarity with and adherence to ethical conduct with respect to Native peoples and materials;


• Interpersonal skills commensurate with representing the archive in one-on-one and group settings.


• Excellent skills required in organization, computer data entry, and spreadsheets


• Self-motivation and an ability to work indepedently. 

Certifications:

• None

Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Moving archival boxes between shelves and collection areas (up to ~15lbs each)

Departmental Preferences:

• MA in library sciences or a related field


• Experience working in/with Oklahoma Native communities


• Knowledge of best practices in language archiving (standards, specs, protocols)


• Experience planning and executing large public programs/events


• Familiarity with CMSs like WordPress and ArchiveSpace


• Familiarity with language programs like ELAN and FLEx


• Technical expertise in digitization of older media, including but not limited to audio cassettes, reel-to-reels, vinyl records, VHSs, and miniDVs


• Technical expertise in mending older media, including but not limited to splicing, rehousing, and managing sticky shed syndrome


• Technical expertise in running and maintaining professional audio/video equipment, including but not limited to Zoom audio recorders, audio mixers, various types of external microphones, and Canon and Sony camcorders


• Technical expertise in AV editing, including working knowledge of the following programs: Amadeus Pro, Audacity, and Adobe Premiere

Supervision: Support the Curator in daily management and supervision of students, interns, and volunteers

Special Instructions:

If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy.  To view the policy, visit  https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing