The Hampton University Museum and Archives
Position:
Curator of Archives and Digital Collections
Department:
University Museum
Date Posted:
06/15/2022
Closing Date:
Open Until filled
Description
The Hampton University Museum and Archives invites nominations and applications for Curator of Archives and Digital Collections, beginning September 1, 2022.
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a leading historically black university (HBCU) located on the Virginia Peninsula in the City of Hampton. It is a privately endowed, co-educational, nonsectarian institution. The University Archives established in 1972 preserves a part of the rich heritage and tradition of the university. The collection is one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collections of materials on the history and culture of African Americans and Native Americans. Among the holdings are more than 8 million documentary items and over 50,000 photographs and glass negatives reflecting Hampton’s role in American education, educational philosophy, political activities, labor issues, and business and international relations.
Duties and Responsibilities
This position will oversee the operations of the Hampton University Archives. Provide leadership for the ongoing coordination, development, operation and promotion of the digital format for the Hampton University Archives. Promote activities that promote and improve access to the Archives Collection that conforms to best practices. Assist in establishing the Presidential Digital Archives at Hampton. The Curator of Archives and Digital Collections will report to the Hampton University Museum and Archives Director, and will work collaboratively with the Museum team.
Develop and manage a digital archives program for the University to preserve and make materials available.
Manage and organize the Digital Presidential Archives
Oversee the growth, organization, access, and long- term preservation of the Hampton University archives consistent with the mission of the Museum to engage the campus and extended audiences.
Manage and oversee accessions, migrations, processing, and handling of all collections, including both analog and born-digital content.
Develop and revise policies and procedures for University Archives, such as, workflows and documentation for acquiring, accessioning, preserving, arranging, describing, and providing access to born-digital materials.
Provide leadership for the University in the preservation of and access to digital records.
Coordinate records retention and management for all University departments, including contacting departments to assess their records holdings and procedures.
Ensure that University historical records and other archival collections are gathered together in one location, re-housed, arranged, and described and preserved according to accepted archival standards, including the creation of archival finding aids that comply with DACS to be made available on the University Museum and Archives website using EAD.
Manage current and potential donor relations.
Provide leadership in the development of new and existing special collections.
Plan outreach events and develop outreach materials including informational text for the archives website, news items, reports, handouts, instructional worksheets, etc.
Write and administer grants for the archives with the support and collaboration of the director and curator.
Manage the Assistant Archivist/Digital Technician.
Manage work study employees.
Hire, train, manage, and evaluate student assistants working in the archives area.
Excellent oral and written skills.
Interact professionally with internal contacts to include University officials, Administrators, staff, faculty and students. External contacts include similar research institutions, outside researchers and donors.
Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to plan for and manage the care of collections in a university archives setting. Minimum qualifications include an MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills is considered critical. A thorough knowledge of archival process, and at least three years’ experience working with archival and special collections materials preferably in an academic environment, at a professional level. Work must include some combination of manuscript, audio-visual, and digital collections.
Preferred Qualifications:
Certified as an Archivist or Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) certificate from the Society of American Archivist. A working knowledge DACS and EAD, some background in African American History, and/or Native American History, and experience with HBCU’s. Management experience including the administration of grants, and experience designing instructional content and online displays and exhibits.
How to Apply
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a Hampton University Application for Employment for faculty, a letter outlining the candidate's commitment to teaching, professional and scholarly work; a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation on company letterhead. Applications may be submitted electronically to vanessa.thaxton-ward@hamptonu.edu or mailed to:
Vanessa D. Thaxton-Ward, Ph. D.
Director
Hampton University Museum and Archives
200 William R. Harvey Way
Hampton, VA 23668
*Hampton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
https://www.hamptonu.edu/hr/jobdetail.cfm?id=1293