*JOB ANNOUNCEMENT POSTING*
COLLECTIONS CATALOGER
The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS), one of the nation's leading historical organizations with a major research center and extensive collections, museum exhibits and educational programs, and 18 historic sites seeks a full-time Collections Cataloger for a two-year period to process and catalog archival collection materials in a variety of physical and digital forms, concentrating on manuscripts and government records, but including photographs, audio recordings, moving images, and oral histories. This is a full-time, two-year position located at the History Center in St. Paul, MN.
SUMMARY OF WORK: Major responsibilities include: 1) Physically processing incoming collections of manuscripts, government records, and other materials, so that soon after receipt they will be usable by researchers; 2) meeting demanding productivity targets consistent with overall departmental expectations and objectives; 3) creating catalog records and detailed finding aids, indexes, database records, and other sorts of technical and descriptive metadata, to enable researcher discovery, access, and evaluation; 4) collaborating closely and flexibly with other staff and external partners in special projects and initiatives; 5) providing reference services in the Library (2 weekly hours); and 6) building effective collaborations with other MHS departments and staff, as well as with external audiences and colleagues.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's plus 3 years experience in collections processing; or advanced degree plus 1 year experience; or equivalent experience.
- Expertise and experience in the appraisal, processing, and description of a variety of research collection materials, including manuscripts, government records, sound and visual collections, and digital materials.
- Comprehensive knowledge of archival theory and practice, and of collection management requirements.
- Knowledge of and experience with current and emerging metadata standards.
- Practical knowledge of photographic, audio, and moving image formats.
- An awareness of Minnesota and American history, related disciplines and research methodologies, equivalent to that attainable through a liberal arts bachelor's degree.
- Substantial familiarity with online research information resources and searching methodologies, and an understanding of the operation of common office productivity software applications.
- Ability to write clearly, concisely, and fluently, to tailor descriptions to their purpose and audience, and to edit the work of others.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: - Master’s degree in Library Science or related discipline.
- Detailed understanding of national and international cataloging rules, encoding standards, and processing best practices that govern the arrangement and description of primary source materials.
- Substantial knowledge of digitization practices and digital formats for cultural materials, and with the metadata and presentation schemes required for their access and preservation.
SALARY: $3,051 monthly minimum
TO APPLY: Send letter of application, resume, names of three professional references and MHS application form to: Minnesota Historical Society, Human Resources Department, Collections Cataloger position, 345 Kellogg Blvd. West, St. Paul, MN 55102-1906. Application materials must be received or post-marked no later than May 15, 2008. Direct questions to Monica Ralston at monica.ralston@mnhs.org. EEO/AA