*JOB ANNOUNCEMENT POSTING*

COLLECTIONS CATALOGER (Mondale Papers) 

The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) seeks a Collections Cataloger for a 24-month, grant-funded position to process and catalog the extensive papers of Walter F. Mondale, comprising 1,000 cubic feet of archival materials in a variety of physical and digital forms, including manuscripts, photographs, audio recordings, moving images, oral histories, and other materials for public access and for permanent preservation.

SUMMARY OF WORK:  Major responsibilities include 1) Appraising and physically processing the Walter F. Mondale collection of manuscripts, photographs, audio files and moving images, and digital objects (1,000 cubic feet); 2) 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; 3) creating descriptive metadata in accordance with prescribed national standards, emerging standards and technologies, and MHS practices, to facilitate the discovery and identification of collection materials through regional, national, and international networks; and 4) 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.
  • Experience with political or government records collections.

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 (Mondale Papers) position, 345 Kellogg Blvd. West, St. Paul, MN  55102-1906.   Application materials must be received or post-marked no later than May 31, 2008. Direct questions to Monica Ralston at monica.ralston@mnhs.org.   EEO/AA