Head of the PIRC/Lead Archivist, Harvard University, MA
Posted March 3, 2023
Summary
The Property Information Resource Center (PIRC) within Harvard University Planning and Design (HUPAD) is the principal archival repository for the records of Harvard University’s buildings and land. The PIRC actively works on behalf of the University to collect, organize, steward, and make accessible documentation from capital construction projects at Harvard University. PIRC collections and staff provide critical background research and material for campus planning, new construction projects, renovations, and maintenance to Harvard’s buildings.
The PIRC Manager will oversee all aspects of PIRC operations and its staff. Specific responsibilities include collections development, acquisitions, preservation planning, digitization projects, and leading process improvements. The Manager is a key liaison with university stakeholders in a dynamic and complex environment.
Position Description
Reporting to the Director of Planning Resources, Harvard University Planning and Design, the position’s duty will include:
- Provide leadership to PIRC staff consisting of full-time and part-time archives professionals
- Collaboratively develop team goals, and priorities in alignment with departmental goals.
- Benchmark services to ensure operational processes are meeting the needs of stakeholders
- Lead process improvement efforts for collection digitization, preservation, and maintenance in a proactive, team-oriented environment.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality customer and reference service to clients comprised of architects, engineers, construction project managers, facility managers, planners, and the University community.
- Oversee workflows for reference, collections processing, and associated outreach, priorities, and goals.
- Help troubleshoot and ideate solutions
- Effectively build relationships across a decentralized university
- Manage vendor selection, relationships, and payments
- Hire and train staff and student workers in the use and handling of collections.
- Oversee collection digitization projects
- Provide guidance on appropriate collections housing and storage of physical, and digital collections
- Oversight of the collections management system, The Museum System (TMS)
- Responsibility for collections related record management processes – database, transmittals, recall, and life cycle of documents.
- Identify, explore, and implement standards and technologies to support mission
- Tracks statistics and generates reports on operations.
Basic Qualifications
- MLS / MLIS degree with a concentration in Archives Management, Certified Archivist credentials, or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of six years of related experience
- Experience with management of digital assets and data management systems
- Staff supervisory experience required
- Proficiency with MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Teams
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Experience with records management and archival appraisal
- Strong customer service orientation and ability to collaborate effectively with a broad patron base.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Experience with Gallery Systems’ The Museum System and eMuseum
- Experience and familiarity with the management of large-format architectural reproductions
- Familiarity with architecture, construction documentation, project management, computer-aided design, and building information modeling helpful
Physical Requirements
- Requires bending, lifting, and the ability to lift and carry rolls of drawings and up to forty (40) pounds.
- Ability to work with dusty and dirty materials
Additional Information
Harvard University supports a hybrid workplace model which will actively support some remote work. Specific days and schedules for on campus work and remote work will be discussed during the interview process. Please note hybrid workers must reside in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).
To Apply
Candidates should apply by submitting a thoughtful cover letter together with a resume here.