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The William L Clements Library at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Manuscripts Division Processor for a 2-year term appointment. This position in the Manuscripts Division is responsible for initial arrangement, preliminary description, and implementation of semi-automated processes for creating basic finding aids for a wide variety of 18th- to early 20th-century manuscripts and other archival materials. The primary focus of this position is the production of minimal EAD records for the Clements Library's more recent acquisitions using descriptive content exported from ArchivesSpace; the revision of existing finding aids and MARC records; and the incorporation of digital object references into EAD and MARC records.

The William L. Clements Library is a University of Michigan library that houses original resources for the study of U.S. history and culture from the fifteenth through the nineteenth century. Its mission is to collect and preserve primary source materials, to make them available for research, and to create an environment that supports and encourages scholarly investigation of our nation's past.

For more information, please visit our website: William L. Clements Library

Note, the responsibilities and associated percentage of time spent on the specific functions below are what are anticipated for this position. The associated percentage of effort may shift and change slightly, depending on the metadata needs for digitization projects at a given time. 

Preliminary Processing and Semi-Automated Creation of Archival Descriptions (95%)

• Address pre-processing needs, such as initial arrangements and housing of a variety of material types
• Conduct basic research
• Write basic descriptions of archival materials
• Produce EAD records for Manuscripts Division collections using semi-automated methods
• Revise previously-created EAD and MARC records
• Incorporate references to digital objects into EAD and MARC records

Other duties as assigned (5%)

• Collaboration and coordination with colleagues in the different divisions of the Clements Library
• Documentation and attention to changing best practices

• Undergraduate degree in a related field with classroom or hands-on experience working with historical archival materials and/or archival description.
• Knowledge of applications and tools relevant to spreadsheets and word processing.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Knowledge of, or capacity to learn, aspects of American history and culture of the 18th-early 20th centuries.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Please note:  This is a 2-year term-limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

The mode of work for this position is On-site. 

Excellent benefits are available; for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

The salary for this position is $44,000 annually. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position, and internal equity within the unit. 

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.