Oral Historian Jobs

Title: Oral Historian

Classification: Temporary Part Time

Department: Anthropology

Reports To: Associate Curator of Anthropology

Salary: $25/hour

Position Summary: This position will manage project entitled “Oral Histories: Documenting the People and Stories Behind the Science at Channel Islands National Park.” The Oral Historian will coordinate the interviews by volunteers and museum staff, oversee transcriptions of at least 28 interviews into MS Word, compile the transcripts and audio files for archival storage, and prepare project reports. This work will be conducted within a budget cap of 200 hours over a period of twelve months. The oral historian reports to the Associate Curator of Anthropology.

Specific Responsibilities:

Coordination of Staff and Volunteers Conducting Interviews

• Coordinates with the National Park Service historian to organize a training workshop.
• Acts as working manager for the project.
• Ensure that appropriate releases are received from individuals under this project.
• Provide guidance or oral history interviews and transcription.
• Supervises up to a dozen volunteers and museum staff conducting as many as 70 interviews.

Oversees Transcriptions of Audio Recordings

• Reviews and edits written transcript drafts as needed.
• Ensures that interviewees have the opportunity to review and edit their own transcripts.
• Prioritizes 28 recordings to be transcribed into MS Word by the interview transcriber.
• Oversees the transcription work by the interview transcriber.

Compile Transcripts and Audio Files for Archival Storage

• Catalogs transcriptions and audio files with NPS catalog and accession numbers in consultation with the National Park Service and Associate Curator of Anthropology.
• Ensures that transcripts are properly prepared, preserved, handled and stored at SBMNH.
• Ensures that digital records are preserved and stored at SBMNH.
• Assists NPS in making the records available to partners and the public.

Prepare Project Reports

• Prepare final report at the end of 2023.
• Ensures that adequate and up-to-date records are maintained for preparation of final report.
• Tracks expenses so as not exceed project budget.

Essential Requirements:

• Graduate training in public history, cultural anthropology, library science, or similar educational or work experience.
• Experience in the supervision and training of volunteers and interns or related experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to set priorities and achieve goals.
• Experience in scientific research and subsequent distribution of information.
• Experience with database management and digital archiving.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; multitask, manage complex projects, and meet competing deadlines; impeccable attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Work Environment:

• Frequent work on computers (repetitive movement – typing)
• Standard scientific research laboratory environment.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs and bending with occasional lifting of light to moderate loads (10-25lbs
• General office environment with occasional work throughout the museum’s facilities; hybrid schedule possible.