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Archivist, Upstate Health Sciences Library, (Syracuse, NY)

The Upstate Health Sciences Library at Upstate Medical University seeks a collaborative individual to bring leadership, vision and support to the Archives and Special Collections (ASC) team. 

This job is for you if you enjoy:

  • Cultivating, empowering and celebrating your team
  • Promotion and discovery of the Archives and Special Collections
  • Working and building relationships with faculty, students, donors, colleagues, researchers, and community members.
  • Adapting to an ever-changing environment

On the job you will:

  • Supervise for two full-time tenure track faculty, facilitating their professional growth
  • Identify departmental goals and objectives and provide leadership in fulfilling them
  • Engages with faculty, staff, students, and external researchers of Archives & Special Collections on consultations and outreach activities in support of  scholarship and research that uses the archival, special, and digital collections held by the Library. 
  • Develop and communicate policies and procedures for the department
  • Maintain Archives policies and procedures in Confluence 
  • Monitor and plan for the systems architecture of the ASC department, in consultation with the Digital Initiatives Archivist
  • Coordinate assessment and evaluation of departmental operations and services in the context of library and university mission, values, and goals.
  • Set priorities for cataloging rare books and print collections 
  • Maintain the department budget
  • Handle space planning and allocation for ASC 
  • Facilitate donor relations for ASC 
  • Maintain the Upstate Portrait Collection 
  • Serve on library, faculty, and university-wide committees.

At the HSL, we:

  • Provide the resources and support you need to succeed on the job
  • Offer a competitive salary and a respectful, inclusive work environment
  • Are committed to your professional development, supporting training opportunities and travel to national and regional meetings
  • Accommodate a healthy work/life balance 

Required Qualifications  

  • MSLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program, or related field. Commensurate degree from a Non-US university welcomed  
  • A clear vision for archives and special collections departments in an academic setting  
  • Experience working in an academic archive or special collections department
  • Supervisory experience  
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications  

  • Demonstrated knowledge of collection development for archives, rare books and special collections; of archival principles and preservation techniques; and of contemporary and emerging digital and archival standards.
  • Experience using current archival technologies including a content management system (ArchivesSpace) for user services, collection discovery, and preservation in both physical and on-line environments
  • Demonstrated knowledge of cataloging metadata standards and principles to include: DCRM, AACR2, MARC21, LCSH, MeSH, and integrated library systems like OCLC  
  • Experience with Alma/Primo and/or OCLC connexion  
  • Understanding of descriptive bibliography and book history  
  • Demonstrated project management experience
  • Experience managing a budget
  • Space planning experience
  • Record of engagement with donors and demonstrated commitment to future donor development
  • Record of engagement with professional groups and activities and/or contributions to professional or scholarly literature  
  • Reading ability in Latin, French and/or German  

Note: Having one or more of the preferred qualifications listed is not required. We will support the successful candidate in growing their skills and experience as needed and encourage candidates to apply who want to join us in a building a collaborative environment where we continually learn together, share our knowledge, and work together promoting a library committed to kindness, professional growth, and our Upstate Values.

Salary & Benefits: 
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Summary of benefits

How to Apply

Apply online

The HSL’s mission: 
Through its exemplary customer services, the Upstate Health Sciences Library ensures the discoverability and accessibility of the information resources needed to promote a healthy community. Our vision: The Upstate Health Sciences Library will excel at developing and providing innovative and sustainable solutions to meet information needs. We will be our communities’ vital partner in discovery.

More about working at Upstate Medical University

The University seeks to create a work environment and organizational culture that reflect the society and community in which it is located and a climate for the success of every employee by appreciating the uniqueness that each one brings to the workplace. The Library encourages all candidates to supply statements demonstrating their commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of their application.