The Archives Assistant manages and supervises the archives reading room, providing patron services to Whitman affiliates and community members. The position serves as a support person to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives and assists with all aspects of archives administration, including reference, arrangement and description, and preservation of materials in all formats.

1) Supervise the reading room, providing assistance to archives patrons and ensuring security of materials. Assist with logistics for class sessions and events.
2) Conduct reference interviews in person, by phone, by post, and by email, and provide access to relevant manuscript, archival, print, and electronic resources. Refer questions to other archives or library staff as appropriate.
3) Maintain friendly and professional demeanor while interacting with patrons who have varying levels of comfort and familiarity with archival research practices.
4) Assist with accessioning materials by acknowledging receipt of donations, recording accession information, creating inventories, and filing relevant documentation.
5) Assist with arrangement and description of manuscript, archival, and digital collections as directed by the Archivist and Head of Digital Services.
6) Maintain usage statistics and metrics and manage archival materials in ArchivesSpace, our content management system.
7) Complete digitization projects and upload materials with appropriate metadata into various access platforms.
8) Page, re-shelve, and perform copying and scanning of archival materials, including photographs.
9) Handle correspondence and billing for document and image reproduction services and use permissions.
10) Oversee the daily operations of the archives when the Archivist and Head of Digital Services is absent
11) Occasionally supervise student archives assistants.
12) Other duties as may be assigned.

Required: B.A. or B.S. degree; excellent communication and customer service skills; aptitude for organization; demonstrated collaboration and problem-solving skills; ability to manage and complete multiple tasks in parallel; ability to work independently.
Preferred: experience working in libraries or archives, or knowledge of archival practices; knowledge of, or interest in, the history of Whitman College, the Walla Walla Valley, or the Pacific Northwest; fluency in Spanish or another foreign language desirable.

Individuals must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
1) Relates positively, cooperatively and effectively to Whitman students, faculty and staff, and to members of the public. Strong oral and written communication skills necessary to diplomatically relate to other campus departments, individuals, and outside constituencies. Must be able to deal with challenges while maintaining friendly and cooperative relationships. Ability to maintain confidentiality is vital.
2) Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and with a sense of humor in a changing environment.
3) Possess specific computer skills including standard office applications including Microsoft Suite and Google Drive; has knowledge of, or the ability to learn, specialized software systems including ArchivesSpace, Digital Commons, Islandora, and Adobe Photoshop.
4) Ability to pay strict attention to detail and accuracy; ability to determine and follow an efficient, sequential workflow.
5) Possess time management skills necessary to meet deadlines, to prioritize work, and to make changes in daily work routines in the interest of efficiency, often in consultation with supervisor. Ability to stay on task in an environment where routine assignments and special projects continually vie for attention.
6) Ability to effectively plan and supervise work of student assistants.
7) Flexibility necessary to handle unforeseen problems and circumstances; ability to exercise independent judgment within specific guidelines and standards, seeking assistance from supervisor when clarification is needed.
8) Ability to manipulate visual resource images in all formats, traditional or digital.
9) Ability to sit for extended periods of time, perform intensive keyboarding, and to lift and move objects weighing up to and including 50 pounds. Ability to bend, stretch, or climb up and down a ladder to retrieve, shelve, or rearrange archival storage boxes, artifacts and books, or file materials.
10) Ability to load, unload, and maneuver a loaded book truck or other hand-operated vehicle used for moving archival resources on a variety of surfaces and inclines; move boxes of materials from private residences, businesses, or warehouse storage to the library and into the archives.
11) Ability to work in confined areas that are prone to dust, pollen, mold, and other related contaminates generated by manuscript or archival material.
12) Ability to re-arrange metal shelving and cabinets.
13) Ability to maintain a valid Washington Driver’s License.
14) Ability to perform periodical general maintenance and cleaning.
15) Post-offer physical and background check required.

Whitman College is building a diverse academic community and welcomes nominations of and applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring additional dimensions to the College’s learning environment. Whitman is responsive to the needs of dual career couples. Whitman College is an EEO Employer.