POSITION OVERVIEW

PN # 17967: ARCHIVIST I (HMRC and GREGORY SCHOOL)

Applications accepted from: All Persons Interested

DEPARTMENT: Houston Public Library
DIVISION: Customer Experience/Special Collections
SECTION: Gregory School and Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC)
Reporting Location: 550 McKinney (HMRC) & 1300 Victor St.
Workdays & Hours: (Varied hours within Mon - Sun; 8:00 am - 8:15 pm; Rotating Shift)*
*subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Houston Public Library seeks creative, innovative, and highly customer service oriented Processing Archivists to serve at either the African American Library at the Gregory School or the Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC). Houston Public Library serves a population of 2.2 million citizens through a network of 37 Neighborhood Libraries spread out across the Houston area, a Central Library, and three Special Collections Libraries. 
 
The African American Library at the Gregory School (Gregory School), located in historic Freedman Town and housed in the Gregory Lincoln School, the first African American school in Houston and an Archeological landmark in Texas, houses a variety of primary resource materials that documents and focuses on the experience of African American residents, businesses, institutions and neighborhoods throughout Houston and the surrounding region. The growing collection includes books, pamphlets, periodicals, photographs, oral histories manuscripts, newspapers, personal family archives and ephemera documenting Houston's African American history and culture.
 
The Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC), located in the historic Julia Ideson Building, includes archival, Texas and local history, and special collections components with the primary objectives of locating, preserving, and making available to researchers the documentary evidence of Houston's history. HMRC's varied collections include 40,000 Texas and local history books, 20,000 adult and juvenile special collections and rare books, 4.5 million photographs, 150,000 architectural drawings, 450 oral histories, various manuscripts, and 8,000 maps. The archival collections focus on non-current records of local groups or individuals who played roles in Houston's development.
 
The Archivist I (Processing Archivist) will:

• Lead and direct efforts in processing archival materials from the collections. This may include research, acquisition, cataloging, preservation, and digitization of archival materials such as manuscripts and photographs;
• Coordinate community outreach by serving as a community liaison, attending community meetings and representing the library at public events;
• Coordinate programming efforts with curated exhibits, building and departmental tours, and guest speakers;
• Provide specialized reference services and research assistance to the general public in-person and electronically; and
• Participate with the manager and assistant manager in unit strategic planning to meet changing services and customer needs including supervision of interns and volunteers assisting with the archival collections.

 
This position does require some evening and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) work. Applicants are encouraged to submit a Cover Letter and Resume when applying. For more information about the African American Library at the Gregory School, please visit http://www.thegregoryschool.org, and for more information about the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, please visit http://www2.houstonlibrary.org/hmrc

WORKING CONDITIONS
There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions. The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of papers or books (up to 20 pounds or an equivalent weight) may be required. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Requires an ALA accredited Master's Degree in Library Science or a Master's Degree in History or a related field.  No experience is required.

OR

Requires a Bachelor's degree plus 18 hours towards an ALA accredited Master's Degree in Library Science or 18 hours towards a Master's in History or a related field and one year of experience in archival processing, archival collecting, historical research, reference, programming, or a related field.  A Master's Degree must be completed within two years from being hired into this classification.

MINIMUM LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Valid Driver's License and compliance with the City of Houston policy on driving (AP 2-2).

PREFERENCES

Knowledge, work experience, or advanced study courses in archival science, history or museum studies. Current computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Macintosh Photoshop, digitizing experience and experience with Dublin Core, EAD, MARC-AMC, CONTENTdm, and Archivist Toolkit are highly preferred. Special training in the archivist fields and/or a Certified Archivist (C.A.) is also preferred. Customer/Public service experience and ability to plan and organize work is a plus.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED None
However, the Department may administer a skill assessment evaluation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. The salary range for this position is:

Salary Range - Pay Grade 16
 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov. To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832.393.4897. If you need special services or accommodations, please call TTY 7-1-1.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.
EEO Equal Employment Opportunity The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.