Job Information
City of Tacoma WA Manager of Archives and Special Collections in Tacoma, Washington
Manager of Archives and Special Collections
Salary
$93,204.80 - $113,796.80 Annually
Location
Tacoma, WA
Job Type
Classified
Job Number
9071-24
Department
Library
Division
Library
Opening Date
05/01/2024
Closing Date
6/3/2024 8:00 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Position Description
This recruitment has been extended to June 3, 2024 with first review of candidates on May 20, 2024.
Join a library system engaged in community-driven services to deliver an innovative and exciting future to residents of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Tacoma Public Library (TPL), serves over 200,000 residents in Tacoma.
We are seeking an experienced archivist and team leader who:
Is strongly committed to listening to our community in order to deliver valued, needed and highly used library materials services;
Is committed to working to support and deliver high quality, innovative, customer-focused services;
Is passionate about racial equity and social justice;
Has demonstrated success in building collaborative, high performing teams and operations in partnerships across departments;
Has a vision and understanding of preservation and access of collections with an eye to both current and future needs;
Is committed to excellent service for internal and external customers;
Is an excellent communicator and supervisor with a proven ability to lead, develop and support staff;
Is results-oriented and committed to collaboration.
If you believe that the library can empower the community by bringing people together to discover, connect, create, learn, and thrive, your next leadership position may be at TPL!
Position Summary:
The Manager of Archives and Special Collections at Tacoma Public Library is responsible for overseeing the operations and providing visionary leadership for the Northwest Room Local History Collections, the Community Archives Center, and the Memory Lab. This position manages people and resources across a diverse set of activities including user services, community outreach, educational programs, collections management, collections development, arrangement and description, digitization, metadata creation and enhancement, and grant application and management. This position will also work with library and community partners to support the continued development of a robust and active archives program, leading growth in community-engaged, non-extractive archiving initiatives, and pursuing equity and information justice goals consistent with Tacoma Public Library’s strategic priorities.
Supervisory Relationships:
Supervises 3 assigned personnel as well as grant funded employees, interns and volunteers.
Responsibilities:
Direct and manage all operations of archives and special collections at Tacoma Public Library including the Northwest Room, the Community Archives Center, and the Memory Lab
Hire, train, supervise, and mentor professional staff, interns, and volunteers
Develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures for the Archives and Special Collections in support of the library’s goals and mission
Direct the acquisition, processing, and preservation of archival materials
Manage ongoing grant projects and pursue additional funding opportunities to support new projects
Conceptualize, plan, and oversee education and outreach activities
Represent the library to local media, community and professional organizations, and other stakeholders
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Library or Information Science, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field
Three (3) years of related experience, including one (1) year in a leadership role.
Knowledge of emerging library technologies, service and programming trends in urban public libraries
Experience developing, planning, and presenting activities, programs and outreach to children, teens and/or adults
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in Library or Information Science, Archival Studies or related field
3 or more years of experience working in a leadership role in archives and special collections
3 or more years of experience hiring, managing, and motivating staff
Certified Archivist status from the Academy of Certified Archivists or completion of the A&D or DAS certificate programs from the Society of American Archivists
LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
Frequent travel to library branches and community organizations within the Puget Sound region, a valid Washington State Driver's License or equivalent mobility is required.
Appointment subject to passing a background check
Knowledge & Skills
Substantial experience and proficiency in archival arrangement and description
Substantial experience in project management
Substantial experience and skill in community outreach and engagement
Substantial experience in creating policies, procedures, and workflows
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging trends and technologies related to archives and special collections
Experience in grant writing and management, particularly federal grants
Experience in reparative archival description or experience with projects aimed at identifying and mitigating representational gaps in archives
Education in library science, records management, and/or public history
Experience using AtoM or similar collection management software
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a resume and cover letter. Be sure to answer the supplemental questions. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their materials reviewed for interview consideration.
This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the Tacoma Public Library and Local 117.
Individuals given a conditional offer of employment must also pass a background check. New employees must successfully complete a six month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
Tacoma Public Library Stands Against Racism and White Supremacy
Tacoma Public Library is opposed to white supremacy in all of its forms and is committed to fostering an organization that is actively anti-racist. We believe that Black Lives Matter. We are grieving with our black community and all communities of color who continue to be harmed by institutionalized racism. We are committed to being a trusted community resource available to all and will provide resources and public programs that seek to reflect the values of anti-racism and elevate the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Tacoma Public Library
Tacoma Public Library (TPL) has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for more than 125 years. TPL's neighborhood libraries originated with Andrew Carnegie's visionary philanthropy at the turn of the 20th century and are being transformed into true centers of educational innovation and service--and vital community hubs--that continue to provide far more than free books and materials.
Learn more about the Tacoma Public Library and the services we provide at www.tacomalibrary.org and connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TacomaPublicLibrary/) , Instagram (http://instagram.com/tacomalibrary) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/tacomalibrary) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcroston/) to stay up to date on exciting things happening at the library, and to be notified of other career opportunities with us.
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, call the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 before 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.
Insurance Plans: You may participate in one of several group health insurance programs. Employees and their dependents are covered by a medical-surgical-hospital plan, vision plan, dental plan, and employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance and Deferred Compensation options are also available.
Employees are covered by the State Industrial Insurance Act.
Paid leave: Library Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays, and Personal Time Off (PTO).
Retirement: All employees of the Library except part-time Pages, temporary employees, and certain project employees, are included in the City of Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacorna.org or by calling (253) 502-8200. All members of the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System are also covered by Social Security.
The Tacoma Public Library is not a department of the City of Tacoma and the Library's employees are not employees of the City. The Library is a separate entity with its own governing body. The Library's governing body is the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees.
Employees of the City of Tacoma who accept employment with the Tacoma Public Library will lose their City of Tacoma employee seniority. They will also find that their leave accruals, and some of the benefits enjoyed as employees of the City of Tacoma do not carry over when they are hired for a position with the Tacoma Public Library.
01
Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.
Yes
No
02
Do you have a bachelor's degree in Library or Information Science, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration or related field AND three (3) years of related experience, including one (1) year in a leadership role?
Yes
No
03
Do you possess a Master's degree in Library or Information Science or Archival Studies?
Yes
No
04
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05
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Agency
City of Tacoma
Address
Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Phone
253-591-5400
Website
http://www.cityoftacoma.org
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