POSITION SUMMARY
Assist the County Archivist in the development and maintenance of archival collections, procedures, and services. Act as Program Lead in the Archives’ Private Collections program. Undertake a full range of archival service delivery, including but not limited to: archival appraisal, conservation and preservation, accessioning, arrangement and description, database management, reference services, and outreach.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (not listed in order of priority)
1. Under the direction of the County Archivist, develop and run the Archives’ Private Collections program, provide input to procedures and workflows related to the ingest, description, and care of private collections, and become a subject matter expert on archival private manuscript collections and associated best practices.
2. Assist with, participate in, and integrate Private Collections program with other Archives programs, as needed.
3. Communicate Archives programs, policies, and procedures to stakeholders.
4. Identify and solicit for donation or transfer records of significance to the County of Simcoe.
5. Appraise potential donations, transfers, and acquisitions for their intrinsic value to the documentary history of the County of Simcoe, their value in terms of government accountability, and their evidentiary importance.
6. Assess the physical needs of records and apply appropriate conservation and preservation measures to ensure their long-term preservation.
7. Accession, arrange and describe, store, preserve, conserve, and provide access to a wide variety of archival material, ensuring careful handling of documents at all times.
8. Perform reference and retrieval services and respond to inquiries, as needed. Conduct effective reference interviews and provide guidance and assistance to researchers to find relevant and accurate information.
9. Assist with training and orientating co-op students, summer students, and new staff members.
10. Assist with departmental financial and procurement procedures.
11. Prepare and deliver Archives outreach programs, including presentations to a wide variety of audiences, on- and off-line exhibits, tours of the Archives, and social media content.
12. Assist with day-to-day operation of the Archives.
13. Assist with the creation and maintenance of archival procedure and create position and program manuals.
14. Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in accordance with applicable regulatory and legislative requirements.
15. Stay current with archival industry best practices, standards, and technology including, but not limited to: arrangement and description, local history, and related fields.
16. Advise and provide assistance to the County Archivist.
17. Perform other duties as assigned, including redeployment in emergency situations.
18. Comply with all applicable SCA, County, provincial, and federal legislation, regulations, policies, and/or procedures.
19. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
CORPORATE COMPETENCIES
Has knowledge of and demonstrated ability in our corporate competencies:
• Acts with the Customer in Mind
• Ensures Accountability
• Continuously Seeks to Improve Work Processes
• Collaborates
• Communicates with Impact
• Is Resilient
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION
• Master of Archival Studies, Master of Information with a concentration in Archives, or Master of Library and Information with a concentration in Archives. This job may be considered for educational equivalency in accordance with County Policy.
• Proficiency in current historical and genealogical research methods and best practices.
• Knowledge of the local history and development of local government in the County of Simcoe an asset.
• Knowledge of arrangement and description of archival records according to the Rules for Archival Description (RAD).
• Familiarity with archival database software and associated best practices.
• Knowledge of InMagic DB/TextWorks and Web Publisher Pro an asset.
• Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation that applies to archives (e.g. Copyright Act, Municipal Act, MFIPPA, etc.) and ability to explain legislation and regulations to clients and to ensure that they understand all aspects of the service.
• Ability to work independently and to assume responsibility for assigned tasks and associated decision making, and deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with an ability to operate in a fast paced, multi-functional environment where priorities change regularly and frequent interruptions are a given.
• Strong data entry skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Valid G class drivers license and access to reliable vehicle.
• Criminal records check that is less than 6 months old at time of hire.
EXPERIENCE
• One (1) year of experience in a related role at an archives or other cultural institution with significant archival holdings, including:
• Practical experience appraising, accessioning, arranging and describing records according to RAD, and providing access to records, preferably including private collections.
EFFORT
• Walking, climbing stairs, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, or carrying and/or pulling of light weights.
• A high degree of concentration and attentiveness.
• Management of multiple priorities with specific deadlines and frequent interruption.
• Ability to lift up to eighteen (18) kilograms / forty (40) pounds onto shelves of varying height.
WORKING CONDITIONS
• Exposure to dust, dirt, mould, cold, etc.
