Processing Archivist, Tompkins Conservation Collections

Stanford Libraries is seeking a full-time, non-career track fixed term position for four years to join the Department of Special Collections and serve as a Processing Archivist for the Tompkins collections. These collections include the records of the Tompkins Conservation organization, as well as the papers of Douglas Tompkins and Kristin McDivitt Tompkins. The Processing Archivist will report to one of our Hohbach Archivists and work primarily out of the Redwood City campus. This is a temporary 4-year position.

About Stanford Libraries:

Stanford Libraries has a network of over 15 libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently more than 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships. We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize that striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint. We are constantly trying to strike the right pace and admit there are times when we find ourselves at a fast jog. While we hope to always find candidates who fit within our organization, what we truly seek is someone who will add to our culture, our profession as well as the greater academic arena. We are invested in the success of our teams and the individuals who represent Stanford Libraries.

The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant.  We are seeking a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About the Department of Special Collections & University Archives:

The Department of Special Collections & University Archives acquires, arranges, describes, preserves, and makes available primary source materials to support the research needs of Stanford students, faculty, and administration, as well as the global community of scholars. The holdings of the Department comprise more than 290,000 rare, fine press, and artists’ books, and some 59 million pages and 500 terabytes of unpublished manuscripts and photographs. Collections include the papers of scientists, mathematicians, technologists, artists, writers, historians, and visionaries; medieval manuscripts; archival photographs; and records of corporations and non-profit organizations with a special interest on Silicon Valley, California, and Mexican American history.

About the Position:

Under the direction of the Hohbach Archivist and the Assistant Director, the Processing Archivist is responsible for arranging, describing, and making ready for use by researchers the collections related to the Tompkins Conservation organization and its founders; some of the archival materials will be in audio-visual and digital formats. The materials will be in English and Spanish and cover the efforts of the organization and the Tompkins to create a series of national parks and to rewild them in both Argentina and Chile.

The Project Archivist will be responsible for interpreting the context and arrangement of the files in the collection, including audiovisual elements, photographs, memorabilia, etc. and work out of Stanford’s Redwood City campus.

Core Duties*:

●        Execute the assessment, arrangement, and description of all materials in the collections, including physical materials, artifacts and memorabilia, audiovisual, images, and computer files according to standards such as DACS or ISAD(G)

o   Survey collections and formats and propose a processing plan to their supervisor(s).

o   Complete the arrangement, rehousing, and description of collections as directed in the CHS collections according to standards such as DACS or ISAD(G)

o   Under direction, complete end-processing activities such as labeling and barcoding containers and updating bibliographic and item records in FOLIO/OCLC Connexion.

o   Identify materials appropriate for temporary transfer to Conservation, the Stanford Media Preservation Laboratory, the Born Digital Preservation Laboratory, or the Digital Production Group; coordinates that work in collaboration with the Hohbach Archivist.

o   Creates, updates, and publishes EAD XML finding aids using ArchivesSpace.

o   Transfers materials to/from storage in collaboration with other staff.

●        Make judgments and recommendations about content appraisal and access and report to the immediate supervisor on critical decisions.

●        Manage time to complete and oversee the organization and description of assigned collection.

●        May publish articles on project discoveries and updates on SUL blogs or Instagram accounts.

●        May work on an online exhibit for the collections in collaboration with the Curator and others.

●        Perform other duties as assigned.

* - Other duties may also be assigned

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.