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Job Type: Temporary

Salary Description: $19.31 - $20.79/hr

SUMMARY

The Photograph Collections Assistant works closely with the Photographs Librarian to assist with surveying, processing, cataloging and maintenance of the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) research library’s photographic collections. This full-time position is a part of the OHS collective bargaining unit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists with ongoing surveying of the Research Library’s photograph collections.

2. Arranges, describes, catalogs, and preserves the Research Library's photograph collections in all formats in accordance with established archival and library procedures and best practices.

3. Assists with physical shifting and space management of the photograph collections and relevant storage areas.

JOB DUTIES

• Physically surveys photographic collections to assess topical content, current condition, and future collection processing needs.
• Creates original archival description and metadata for photographic materials.
• Rehouses archival materials.
• Creates occasional promotional materials to highlight photograph collections including blog and social media posts, and content for member emails.
• Reports progress and statistics to the Photographs Librarian and others on a monthly and as-needed basis.
• Guided by OHS’s mission in daily work, and aspires to enact the Society’s values of integrity, invitation, equity and inclusion, cultural humility, accessibility, and learning. Adheres to OHS policies and professional standards of the American Library Association and Society of American Archivists
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with coworkers, visitors, and volunteers and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations could be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or equivalent in history or related subject from a four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least 1 year of experience working in a research library or archival setting. Progress toward a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS) or related field strongly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of archival description and metadata standards.
• Proficiency with managing data in spreadsheets.
• Experience with data entry.
• Tolerance for repetitive tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with processing, describing, digitizing, and preserving photographs in archival collections.
• Familiarity with professional archival and special collections library procedures, including collections handling, preservation, and security.
• Familiarity with using ArchivesSpace for archival collection management.
• Knowledge of archival standards and systems including DACS, RDA and Dublin Core.
• Knowledge of historical research methods, especially the use of archives.
• Knowledge of photographic format types.
• Knowledge of Oregon, Pacific Northwest or U.S. history is preferred.