The West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC) invites applications for the position of Digital Collections Archivist. The WVRHC seeks a collaborative and experienced archivist to lead a program for managing digital archives and meeting the needs of researchers and students through increased access to digital special collections.

The Digital Collections Archivist will work across departmental boundaries and with a variety of stakeholders to plan for and manage digital objects throughout their lifecycle to facilitate long-term preservation and use. In collaboration with the Libraries’ Systems Department, Knowledge Access and Resource Management, WVRHC archivists, and others, the Digital Collections Archivist will identify and implement applications and workflows to facilitate management, preservation, discovery of and access to digital special collections material.

In consultation with WVRHC archivists, the Digital Collections Archivist is responsible for and consults on acquisitions, accessions, and processing activities for born-digital materials. The Digital Collections Archivist coordinates and oversees digitization efforts and leads and develops a web archiving program.
Archivists and librarians at WVU hold non-tenured faculty appointments, and a record of job performance, professional development/research, and service is required for reappointment and promotion in rank. All librarians are members of the Library Faculty Assembly and participate in the professional life of the organization.

The WVU Libraries encompasses seven libraries: the Downtown Library, Evansdale Library, Health Sciences Library (Morgantown), Law Library, Health Sciences Library (Charleston), Mary F. Shipper Library at Potomac State College, Beckley Library at WVU Institute of Technology, and West Virginia and Regional History Center. Our collections include more than 1.8 million books, 400,000 eBooks, and 117,000 eJournals.

The West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC) is the archives and special collections library at West Virginia University. We are a repository and research center that serves the public in addition to WVU faculty, staff, and students. The Center holds over 20,000 linear feet of collections and over 100,000 books that document the unique history and culture of West Virginia and central Appalachia. Collection strengths include authors and artists papers; feminist activism; WVU history; West Virginia government, politics, and policy; modern congressional archives; labor history; and family history among others. The WVRHC is also the home of a world class collection of rare books that include Shakespeare’s folios, first editions of British and American literature, the works of Isaac Asimov, and more.

Archivists and librarians at WVU hold non-tenured faculty appointments, and a record of job performance, professional development/research, and service is required for reappointment and promotion in rank. All librarians are members of the Library Faculty Assembly and participate in the professional life of the organization.

The minimum starting salary for the Digital Collections Archivist is $61,000.

Eligible applicants must hold an MLS from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent and have three or more years of experience working in archives, special collections, libraries, or other heritage organizations with a concentration in managing born-digital and digitized materials.

Additionally, applicants must have the following:

• Experience with digitized and born-digital archives management and preservation practices, technologies, and tools.
• Experience with digitization initiatives and digital projects management.
• Working knowledge of standards related to electronic records, digital objects, and metadata and knowledge of various digital content formats and standards.
• Knowledge of national standards and best practices for the description of archival materials (DACS, EAD, Dublin Core), authority control, and other data content and structure standards relevant to archival control.
• A high degree of technical facility, including experience working in command line interfaces, XML programming languages, or general scripting languages such as Python, and the demonstrated ability to learn new technical skills through research and self-study.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and meet goals.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively within and across department boundaries and with a variety of digital collection stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of copyright, patron and donor privacy, as they apply to primary materials in digital formats.
• Cultural competency and interest in participating in discussions and initiatives that reflect the WVRHC’s commitment to expanding and supporting a diverse historical record.

Supervisory experience is desired.

Interested applicants are asked to provide a curriculum vitae; a letter of interest that details how your background and experience make you a good candidate for the position; and contact information for three professional references.