Job Posting: Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project (ADNP) Archival Assistant at the Arkansas State Archives

Job Title: Archival Assistant

Agency: Department of Arkansas Heritage (DAH)

Office: Arkansas State Archives

Salary Range: $29,046 – $42,177 per year

Position Number: 22177826

Open: 12/13/19

Close: 12/27/19

Grade: GS04

Job Type: Full Time

Job City: Little Rock, Arkansas

Application Process: Complete the required State of Arkansas Employment Application found on the www.arstatejobs.com website.  Locate the job posting and click “apply for job”. 

For more information contact:

Debbie Biggs debbie.biggs@arkansas.gov, 501-324-9150 or

Jamie Harrison jamie.harrison@arkansas.gov, 501-324-9150

Job Description

**PLEASE READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW REGARDING THIS POSITION**

**** THIS IS A TEMPORARY, FEDERALLY FUNDED FULL-TIME POSITION, ELIGIBLE FOR FULL BENEFITS AND POSITION WILL END IN AUGUST 2021.****

This is a full time position with the Arkansas State Archives an agency of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism in Little Rock. This position earns $29,046 per year and offers a full benefit package including paid holidays, annual and sick leave, health and life insurance and retirement. For more information about us please visit us at One Capitol Mall, Little Rock or on the web at www.ark-ives.com and www.arkansasheritage.com

Functional Job Description: Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project (ADNP) Archival Assistant

Class Summary: The ADNP Archival Archivist is responsible for collecting metadata, conducting quality review of digital assets, and assisting with project record keeping related to Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project (ADNP) at the Arkansas State Archives. Funded by a grant the National Endowment for the Humanities, this temporary full-time position will end in August 2021. The position is governed by agency/institution policy and state and federal laws.

Scope of Work:

• Work on the Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project (ADNP) to digitize over 100,000 pages of Arkansas newspapers for the Library of Congress Chronicling America site.

• Collect and review metadata following established guidelines.
• Complete detailed quality review of digital assets and metadata.
• Work closely with project team, including other ASA staff members, vendors and collaborating institutions.
• Assist with record keeping and report preparation.
• Research and write the history of newspapers selected for this grant.
• Performs related responsibilities as required or assigned.

Working Relationships:  The ADNP Archival Assistant has regular contact with Arkansas State Archives and Division of Arkansas Heritage personnel, vendors, various program-related state and federal agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of classification and archival requirements of historical documents and objects.
• Knowledge of applicable technical standards and best practices in digitization and metadata creation (non-MARC and MARC).
• Knowledge of archival and library best practices.
• Knowledge of newspapers or serials, and ability to assess complex relationships between titles preferred.
• Knowledge of html and/or xml.
• Experience working with Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Strong organizational, data entry, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively. 
• Ability to sort, organize, analyze, and search archival collection and inventories.
• Ability to prepare and present oral and written information and reports.

Required Qualifications:  The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus four years of specialized training and/or experience in library science, historical archival or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:  Bachelor’s degree in the pertinent field. Two years’ specialized training in library science, history or related field. Experience in an archives, museum or library setting. Preference will be given to those who possess experience with digitization projects, an understanding of metadata creation and MARC cataloging, knowledge of OCR output optimization, experience with grant management, excellent organizational skills, and knowledge of Arkansas history.

Special Requirements: 

• Occasional travel for training.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs. with or without accommodations.
• Valid Arkansas driver’s license.
• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.
• Position is subject to drug screening.

The Work History section of the application must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Location of Work:

Arkansas State Archives

One Capitol Mall, 2B-215

Little Rock, AR 72201

Benefits:  

This position offers a full benefit package including paid holidays, annual and sick leave, health and life insurance and retirement.