Lead Archivist Jobs

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Lead Archivist

Job Profile Title

Archivist B

Summary

Responsible for directing the Annenberg School for Communication Library Archives. Initiates, implements, and manages collecting programs, technological systems, and researcher services; formulates and administers departmental policy and budget priorities; and supervises professional and student staff.

The Annenberg School for Communication Library Archives (ASCLA) collects, preserves, and makes available for research materials pertinent to the interdisciplinary field of communication and its history. Our holdings currently include, among other things, the papers of scholars George Gerbner and Elihu Katz, the records of the International Communication Association, oral histories, and a vast collection of daytime and prime-time television scripts from the 1950s through the 1990s. Our collections include a growing body of digital materials.

Reporting to the Director of Library Services and Operations, the Lead Archivist directs the activities of ASCLA. They manage its existing services, programs, systems, and collections; lead the acquisition of new collections and development of new programs and services; and supervise staff, including a full-time archival processor. They work with colleagues at the Annenberg School for Communication and across the university campus in response to and anticipation of evolving school-specific and university-wide archival needs.

Job Responsibilities

• Supervise professional staff and student assistants.
• Work with colleagues across campus to maintain and advocate for shared archival systems, resources, and interests.
• Lead the processing and conservation of analog, hybrid, and born-digital archival collections, ensuring data integrity and permanent archival storage.
• Prepare descriptive EAD finding aids and catalog materials using ArchivesSpace.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Improve workflows, policies, and best practices and develop methodologies to enhance accessibility. Work with staff to review and maintain collection policies and researcher rules/requirements.
• Maintain and develop ASCLA’s website; prepare exhibitions; prepare grant applications; assist in production and editing internal communications.
• Direct all daily operations relating to the management and service of collections, including researcher services.
• Manage new acquisitions and develop ASCLA’s holdings. Assess materials and work in concert with ASC colleagues to communicate with donors and potential donors.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience managing other people, with supervisory experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival principles, practices, standards, and systems pertaining to the processing (e.g., original order, DACS, LCSH, and EAD), preservation (e.g., OAIS, reformatting/migration, and Archivematica), and management (e.g., ArchivesSpace and Aeon) of various analog and born-digital materials.
• Experience working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Master's degree with a concentration in archives and 3-5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Experience providing remote and in-person reference assistance to researchers.
• Experience managing projects with flexibility, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Experience processing analog, born-digital, and hybrid archival collections.
• Ability to identify problems and opportunities, solving the former and realizing the latter.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift twenty-five pounds or more.
• Work with potentially dusty and moldy materials.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hybrid Eligible - This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a work week divided between working onsite and working remotely.

Department / School

Annenberg School for Communication

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $65,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay