Director of Archives, Assistant Professor

Director of Archives, Assistant Professor

The Director of Archives, Assistant Professor provides leadership and oversight for the University's Archives and Special Collections program. The position is responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, preservation, organization, description, digitization, and accessibility of archival collections while ensuring responsible stewardship of the University's historical records. The Director collaborates with academic departments, administrative offices, and external partners to enhance archival services, support research and instruction, and preserve the University's institutional history.

Archives Administration & Program Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the University Archives and Special Collections program.
• Establish priorities, assess services, and implement continuous improvements to archives operations.
• Develop departmental goals and contribute to library strategic initiatives.
• Administer archives policies, procedures, and operational workflows.
• Prepare reports, assess program effectiveness, and participate in budget planning and stewardship.

Collection Development, Preservation & Digital Archives:

• Direct the acquisition, appraisal, accessioning, processing, arrangement, and description of physical and digital archival collections.
• Oversee preservation, conservation, environmental monitoring, and long-term stewardship of archival materials.
• Manage digitization initiatives and digital repository workflows.
• Administer digital archives systems, metadata practices, and online access to collections.
• Lead development and maintenance of finding aids, inventories, collection guides, and descriptive tools.
• Collaborate with the Records Management Officer and university departments regarding transfer and preservation of official university records.

Research, Instruction & Public Services:

• Provide reference and research assistance related to University Archives and Special Collections.
• Develop and deliver archival instruction sessions for faculty, students, and researchers.
• Support classroom instruction through archival collections and institutional history resources.
• Respond to research inquiries and facilitate appropriate access to archival materials.

Outreach, Collaboration & Staff Leadership:

• Develop outreach initiatives that promote awareness and use of archival collections.
• Build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community organizations, and external partners.
• Supervise archives personnel, student workers, interns, and project teams as assigned.
• Represent University Archives on library and university committees and participate in professional activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in library and information science, Library Science, Archival Studies, or a closely related field from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution.
• Graduate-level preparation in archival management or equivalent archival training and professional experience.
• Minimum two years of progressively responsible experience in archives or special collections.
• Experience managing archival processing, preservation, description, and access for physical and digital collections.
• Experience organizing archival materials using recognized archival standards.
• Experience creating and maintaining aids and collection management tools.
• Experience providing archival instruction, reference, or research services.
• Demonstrated supervisory, organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency using archival and digital repository platforms such as Archives Space, CONTENTdm, TARO, Springshare products, or similar systems.
• Working knowledge of metadata standards, archival description, digital preservation, appraisal methods, and records management principles.
• Ability to meet university tenure and promotion requirements, if applicable.

Desired Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or additional graduate degree in History, Public History, Literature, or a related discipline.
• Experience…