Project Archivist

Job Responsibilities

• Survey, arrange, describe, and preserve unprocessed Deaf Studies, Culture, and History Archives (DSA) collections following archival standards and best practices.
• Create and publish DACS-compliant finding aids in ArchivesSpace; export descriptive data to WorldCat and RIT Library catalog.
• Work with the University Archivist and NTID/Education Librarian/Deaf Studies Archives Liaison to determine project priorities, assess access restrictions, and ensure ethical description practices.
• Collaborate with University Archivist on pilot digitization project; assist with scanning, metadata creation, quality control, and digital object management.
• Ingest digitized files and associated metadata into LUNA and ArchivesSpace platforms; verify accuracy and data integrity.
• Document and develop new descriptive practices where traditional archival standards fall short in representing Deaf and Deaf-related communities.
• Communicate regularly with project stakeholders and participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree: MLS or equivalent from an accredited program.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience processing archival collections.
• Proficiency with ArchivesSpace and archival metadata standards (DACS).
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL).
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of Deaf history and culture.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in archival processing and metadata creation.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within academic or cultural heritage institutions.
• Experience digitizing archival materials and managing digital objects.
• Experience working with or within Deaf communities.

Job Summary

The DSA Project Archivist will use archival standards, best practices, and knowledge of Deaf history to arrange, describe, and digitize key collections in the Deaf Studies, Culture, and History Archives (DSA), addressing a backlog of significant Deaf history and culture materials accumulated over the past five years. The position enhances access to Deaf-related archival collections, supports pilot digitization initiatives, and contributes to inclusive archival description. The DSA Project Archivist will work closely with the University Archivist and NTID/Education Librarian/Deaf Studies Archives Liaison to ensure collections are discoverable and accurately represented.
This is an 18-month, full-time (40 hours/week), grant-funded position located on-site in RIT Archives, Wallace Library.