Head of Special Collections and Senior Archivist, Benson Latin American Collection, UT Libraries

Hiring Department: UT Libraries

Position Open To:
All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

40

FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA

Earliest

Start Date:

Jan 01, 2027

Position Duration:
Expected to Continue

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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The Head of Special Collections and Senior Archivist for the Benson Latin American Collection provides senior leadership for the acquisition, stewardship, preservation, processing, and accessibility of the collection’s rare books and manuscripts. This position is responsible for fostering the care, management, and use of collections that document Latin America, Latina/o communities in the United States, and the Black diaspora in the Americas.

Special Collections Administration and Operations

• Manage the daily operations of the Benson's Special Collections program, including the security, preservation, and accessibility of rare books, archival collections, audiovisual materials, and other collection materials.
• Oversee archival processing activities, including accessioning, arrangement, description, and preservation of collections in a variety of formats.
• Coordinate management of collections housed onsite and in remote storage facilities.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Benson Special Collections staff and student employees and foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Contribute to planning, assessment, and operational initiatives as a member of the Benson Leadership Team.

Special Collections Stewardship, Access, and Preservation

• Partner with colleagues within the Benson Latin American Collection staff and across UT Libraries to support the preservation, digitization, description, discovery, and responsible use of special collections materials.
• Collaborate on collection development activities related to rare books and manuscripts.
• Coordinate with Benson Collection and UT Libraries staff on exhibition and collection material loans to external institutions.
• Manage budgets and resources supporting collections preservation activities.
• Ensure compliance with established practices related to acquisitions, accessioning, and rights management.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, collection creators, and other stakeholders in support of collection stewardship and development.
• Contribute to archival processing, cataloging, and special projects as needed.

Public Services (Reference, Instruction, Outreach)

• Provide leadership for public service in Special Collections.
• Provide research assistance in person and remotely to faculty, students and other researchers.
• Serve as lead administrator for Rare Books Room public service point.
• Develop and deliver instructional sessions, workshops, presentations, and tours that promote the use of special collections in research and teaching.

Professional Engagement and Advancement

• Represent the Benson Latin American Collection at meetings and conferences concerned with special collections, archives, and Latin American librarianship.
• Contribute to the profession through presentations, publications, service, and other scholarly and professional activities.
• Partner with UT Libraries development and stewardship colleagues to support donor engagement, fundraising, and collection advancement activities.
• Other related functions as assigned.

• Master’s degree in library and information science or a related field.
• Minimum of four years of relevant experience, such as work in an archive repository or other rare materials setting.
• Experience providing library and/or special collections public service.
• Understanding of and experience with archival processing, rare book librarianship, and related practices.
• Knowledge of professional standards and practices related to archival management and preservation.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or leading staff.
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.
• Knowledge of the history and culture of Latin…