Women's Collections Archivist - West Virginia and Regional History Center, WVU Libraries

The Women’s Collections Archivist at the West Virginia and Regional History Center (WVRHC) is responsible for the acquisition strategy and stewardship of collections documenting the history of women in the state and central Appalachian region. The position leads and engages in instruction, outreach, and programming that highlights women’s collections at the WVRHC. In coordination with the WVRHC Archives and Manuscripts unit, the Women's Collections Archivist accessions, appraises, and oversees processing and preservation of collections in all formats according to professional standards and best practices. The Archivist also connects WVRHC holdings to other national collections to increase the impact, visibility of, and engagement with the WVRHC’s collections, bringing forward overlooked narratives and underrepresented voices.

This position reports to and is supervised by the Director of the West Virginia and Regional History Center. This position may supervise staff, graduate assistants, student workers, or interns.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Develop and participate in outreach, exhibits, oral history interviews, public relations, and special events to promote women’s collections.
• In coordination with the WVRHC Director, lead the meetings and activities of the West Virginia Women’s History and Feminist Activist CollectionsAdvisory Committee.
• Provide specialized information services related to women’s collections including instruction and research consultations to students, faculty, and researchers, in coordination with the Instruction Archivist and public services staff, and other Libraries units.
• In consultation with the WVRHC Director and other stakeholders, select and acquire women’s collections.
• In consultation with the WVRHC Director, establish and maintain strong relationships with donors and supporters.
• Engage with women’s archives nationally to build collaborations, capacity and best practices
• In coordination with the Archives and Manuscripts unit, develop, follow, and maintain policies and procedures for selecting, acquiring, accessioning, appraising, and preserving women’s collections according to professional standards and best practices.
• Lead prioritization of processing projects; manage and engage in arrangement and description of women’s collections.
• Lead assigned area in proactively identifying and responding to emerging trends in academic special collections, ensuring alignment with the evolving needs and expectations of WVU’s students, faculty, and researchers.
• Train and direct staff or students working with women’s collections. Review work products to ensure quality, accuracy, and adherence to standards.
• Provide ongoing supervision, mentorship, and support to employees, empowering them to excel in their roles.
• Evaluate employees regularly both formally and informally, acknowledging their achievements, addressing areas for improvement, and nurturing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• In consultation with the Digital Collections Archivist, plan for and manage digital objects in women’s collections throughout their lifecycle to facilitate long-term preservation and use.
• Engage in professional development and/or research related to the assignment.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Evaluation is based on West Virginia University Libraries: Criteria for Library Faculty Appointment, Retention, Promotion, and Merit, the current Position Description, and the Assignment Document for the year under review.

SALARY:

Salary range commensurate with experience and faculty rank, salary for Assistant appointment starts at $61,000. Rank is determined by years served in a professional librarian capacity.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s Degree from an ALA accredited program for library and information science (or equivalent); concentration in archival studies preferred.
• One (1) year of professional experience in an archival repository or special collections library.
• Teaching, exhibit development, and/or event planning experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of national standards and best practices for managing archival collections in all formats (physical, digital, and hybrid) and the description of archival materials (DACS, EAD), authority control, and other data content structure standards relevant to archival control.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Knowledge of best practices for managing archival and women’s history collections.
• Cultural competency and interest in participating in discussions and initiatives that reflect the WVRHC’s commitment to expanding and supporting a diverse historical record.
• Knowledge of American history, Appalachian history, and women’s history in the United States.

Preferred

• Experience with ArchivesSpace or other collections management systems preferred.
• Experience with complex archival processing projects preferred.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application review process will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A complete application must include:

• Cover letter
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Three current, professional references

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.