AJA Cataloger & Archival Assistant

Position Summary

The Archival Assistant & Cataloger supports the work of the American Jewish Archives (AJA) by cataloging collections, accessioning new materials, assisting researchers, and helping patrons navigate the AJA catalog and resources. Working closely with AJA professionals, this role blends hands‑on archival work, detailed cataloging, and patron support in a mission‑driven, research‑focused environment. It’s an excellent opportunity for someone interested in archives, Jewish history, or library science to deepen their experience in a professional archival setting.

Founded in 1875, Hebrew Union College is North America’s leading institution of higher Jewish education and a center for the academic and spiritual leadership development of Reform Judaism. With campuses in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC educates clergy, scholars, educators, and nonprofit leaders while advancing Jewish scholarship and culture worldwide.
www.huc.edu provides further information about our mission, programs, and resources.

Hebrew Union College is North America’s premier institution of Jewish higher education and the center for professional leadership development of Reform Judaism. A multi‑campus academic and spiritual learning community, HUC builds vibrant progressive Judaism in North America, Israel and around the globe by:

• Studying the great issues of Jewish life, history and thought with an open, egalitarian, inclusive and pluralistic spirit;
• Educating innovative, visionary clergy and professionals who embody the sustaining values, responsibilities, practices and texts of Jewish tradition to inspire future generations; and
• Advancing the critical study of Judaism and Jewish culture in accordance with the highest standards of modern academic scholarship.

• Catalog archival collections in accordance with current cataloging and metadata standards;
• Assist researchers and patrons with reference requests, both in person and remotely;
• Accession incoming archival materials and ensure appropriate documentation;
• Digitize archival materials (documents, photographs, audio, video) for preservation and access;
• Conduct collection inventories and assist with stack maintenance;
• Pull and re‑file archival materials in response to staff and researcher requests;
• Perform other archival and cataloging duties as assigned.

• Must have a college degree with a minimum of one year of cataloging experience, with knowledge of current cataloging and metadata standards. The ideal candidate will have a Masters of Library and Information Science or be a student currently enrolled in an Archival program.

• A minimum of one year of cataloging experience is required.

• Ability to safely handle archival boxes weighing up to 30 pounds and push fully loaded archival carts;
• Basic knowledge of American history; knowledge of American Jewish history preferred;
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills;
• Comfort working with both physical and digital archival materials;
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a small professional team.

• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Teams);
• Working knowledge of Adobe programs, such as Acrobat and Photoshop;
• Willingness to learn additional archival or cataloging software as needed.

Employees are expected to model HUC’s core values:
Honesty and Integrity, Kindness and Decency, Openness and Transparency, Responsible Empowerment, Trust and Security, Diversity and Inclusion.

Work is performed primarily in an indoor office or classroom setting. The role requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, talking, and listening; occasional stooping, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 20 lbs. Employees must be able to operate standard office equipment, communicate clearly, and review written materials.

Hebrew Union College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a drug‑free workplace, and complies with all applicable ADA regulations.