The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is seeking qualified candidates for the full-time position of Head of Description for the Hoover Institution Library & Archives (HILA).
A cover letter and resume are required for full consideration.
About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution: The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs.
Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I. The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history. Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges.
With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Head of Description supervises a highly collaborative team archivists, librarians, staff, and students completing the accession, appraisal, arrangement, and description for all formals of material held in HILA. Working closely with the HILA Assistant Director and collaboratively across departments, the incumbent is responsible for managing archival holdings, supporting the growth and functionality of HILA’s digital collections repository through archival processing and metadata management, and developing technological tools and strategies that improve researchers’ access to resources.
CORE DUTIES:
- Reporting to the Assistant Director, the position will provide vision and strategic leadership to the Description department in support of HILA’s mission.
- Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with Curators, and colleagues in Preservation, Research, Education & Operations, and Digital Services & Systems to advance HILA’s educational, research, engagement, and outreach goals.
- Establish priorities and provide guidance for all aspects of work performed in the Description department to ensure timely access to collections for researchers.
- Develop and maintain statistics for departmental activities to assess operational impact of work.
- The position directly supervises 5 managerial staff within a department of more than 20 staff members in addition to multiple student and hourly employees.
- Oversee and plan all Description activities, including accessioning analog and digital collections, archival processing and the published description of all repository holdings, bibliographic cataloging, and authority control work, providing support for collections logistics and management, in addition to the processing and description of archival materials for digitization in support of Digital Services & Systems activities, exhibitions, and related special projects.
- Provide metadata management expertise and procedural/workflow consistency while monitoring evolving external developments to pro-actively implement necessary changes and enhancements.
- Engage in regional and national communities integrating best and emerging practices.
- Serves as a consultative partner with subject specialists and curators to coordinate appraisal and reappraisal decisions for collection materials according to the collection development policy.
ADDITIONAL CORE DUTIES*:
- Participate in the Stanford-wide implementation of FOLIO platform in FY23, serving as member of Stanford Steering Committee with responsibility to evaluate and reimagine metadata workflows, practices, and policies at the Hoover Library & Archives during the adoption and data migration to FOLIO, within the greater Stanford University library system.
* 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.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
- Advanced Degree in Library Science or a relevant academic discipline and ten years of experience in a relevant library setting, demonstrating a high level of expertise and active engagement in their area of specialization at a national level or a combination of education and relevant experience.
- At least five years’ experience processing archival collection materials and performing bibliographic description within special collections and/or archives at an academic or research institution, or major cultural heritage institution.
- Progressively responsible supervisory experience, including at least three years supervising archivists/librarians in special collections and/or archives at an academic or research institution, or major cultural heritage institution.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of current principles of archival arrangement and description for manuscripts and archival materials in many formats, including photographic materials, audiovisual materials, 3D objects, and born-digital materials; demonstrated knowledge of professional standards for descriptive metadata including DACS and the Library of Congress Linked Data Service.
- Demonstrated knowledge of bibliographic description, integrated library systems (ILS), and of capturing and creating authority metadata in MARC format using various systems and tools.
- Experience using collection management software, such as ArchivesSpace; excellent knowledge of EAD and XML; experience performing data transformations using MarcEdit software and/or XSLT.
- Demonstrated knowledge of library and archives request and workflow management software, such as Aeon.
- Experience with project management programs such as Smartsheet, Trello, Monday, or JIRA.
- Demonstrated familiarity with frameworks for data exchanges and resource sharing.
- Substantial experience with MS Office suite applications.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to prioritize workload.
- Commitment to excellence in customer service.
- Ability to deal amicably and effectively with coworkers and the general public.
- Ability to delegate, supervise, and manage change.
Certifications and Licenses:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Constantly sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.
- Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasps lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
- Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, writing by hand, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other).
- Rarely use a telephone, operate hand controls.
- Must be able to push and maneuver a fully-loaded cart weighing up to 650 pounds that requires an initial push force up to 50 pounds.
*Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings and weekends.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients as well as with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .
The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.