Libraries Assistant Manager - Special Collections and Archives

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This is an in-person position based on the Flagstaff Mountain Campus. Currently, primary work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
• After completion of probationary period, successful candidate may request up to 8 hours per week of hybrid (work from home) work, depending on department head approval and business needs of the department and the library.
• Application materials must include: (1) Completed application; (2) resume; (3) cover letter that addresses how your knowledge, skills, and abilities meet minimum and preferred qualifications; and (4) name and contact information for at least three professional references.

Cline Library at Northern Arizona University (NAU) seeks a Libraries Assistant Manager (LAM) to work in Special Collections and Archives (SCA) 40 hours a week. The LAM is a key member of a team-based department of seven members and is responsible for supporting several operational functions and programs in SCA. These functions include: supervising and hiring of student employees, processing of archival collections, digitization of primary source materials, providing reference and research services, and overseeing department-driven projects.

This position is responsible for recruiting, onboarding, and providing basic orientation and training for SCA’s student employees. The LAM allocates student labor and budget resources in support of long-term and short-term student-driven projects. This position directs work and sets priorities for SCA interns, student employees, and volunteers including setting well-defined and measurable goals and expectations. A critical function of this role is to provide mentoring and coaching for SCA’s student employees, preparing NAU students for career readiness by cultivating designated core competencies, building skills, introducing students to the information professions, and promoting an inclusive and respectful work environment.

The successful candidate will closely collaborate with other SCA staff members for the successful management of the processing and preservation of analog (physical) and digital archival materials and their access and use in research both on site in the Miriam Lemont Reading Room and online via the Colorado Plateau Digital Collections.

The LAM provides high–quality remote and on-site research support to a diverse base, connecting users with library resources and explaining applicable policies. Duties include participating in Reference / Reading Room desk shifts, acting as a back-up to front line reference desk employees, and determining when to request assistance from the unit’s archivists. The LAM also supports research use of SCA’s collections by coordinating with appropriate staff regarding user-initiated digitization and processing requests. The LAM will seek to continually broaden their knowledge base, gain technical expertise, and strengthen their skillset regarding contemporary and emergent library and archival practice, through departmental training and mentoring, continuing education opportunities, and professional engagement.

Academic/Programmatic - 35%

• Process, arrange, and describe archival materials (analog and digital) according to local best practices and archival and bibliographic descriptive standards.
• Work closely with SCA archivists to identify unprocessed archival materials; process, arrange, and describe for research access and use.
• Rehouse analog materials into appropriate archival storage containers for their long-term preservation.
• Create and/or edit descriptive metadata for digitized and born-digital archival materials.

Supervisory - 25%

• Act as primary supervisor for all SCA student employees; this includes coordinating student schedule, payroll/time approval, and other logistical matters related to student employment.
• In conjunction with SCA archivists, set priorities for archival processing, arrangement, and description projects, as well as scanning/digitization of archival materials, for research access and use.
• Allocate student labor and budget to departmental student-powered projects.
• Oversee the work of interns, student employees, temporary staff, and volunteers; provide routine feedback on work tasks and guidance for all such employees based on departmental policies and procedures.

Research - 20%

• Answer complex reference and research questions onsite (in person and via phone) and online (via LibAnswers and email).
• Collaborate with SCA archivists to fulfill digitization requests.
• Refer questions regarding rights management issues for archival materials to appropriate SCA staff members.
• Refer researcher questions regarding potentially culturally sensitive and/or privacy-protected archival materials to appropriate SCA staff members.
• Act as back-up staff contact for order fulfillment.

Technology - 15%

• Utilize specialized software such as ArchivesSpace, oXygen XML Editor, CONTENTdm, and BitCurator to manage SCA’s analog and digital archival holdings.
• Scan/digitize published and/or archival materials for researchers, donors, or SCA’s cultural heritage partners.
• Oversee updates and changes to the department website and webpages.

Other - 5%

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred qualifications are not required, and we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area such as anthropology, comparative cultural studies, applied indigenous studies, history, English, etc.
• Two or more years of relevant experience working in an archive, historical society, library, or museum setting.
• Familiarity with principles and practices for the management of analog and digital archival materials.
• Previous supervisory or team management experience, including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and creating or contributing to evaluative feedback.
• Knowledge of HR policies, practices, and procedures, particularly those related to student employment.
• Experience with budget and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated awareness of issues concerning privacy, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity for indigenous and other communities.
• Familiarity with content management systems, such as CONTENTdm, ArchivesSpace, WordPress, etc.
• Training, coursework, or work experience related to archival processing, arrangement, and description and/or bibliographic cataloguing.
• Knowledge of the American Southwest, the Colorado Plateau and Four Corners area, and Native American communities in the Southwest region.

• Knowledge of archival and library management concepts and practices.
• Knowledge of and experience with archival and library tools, technologies, and systems.
• Knowledge of and experience with technology, software, workflows, and best practices for the digitization of primary source materials.
• Skill in leadership and mentorship, particularly related to student success and career readiness.
• Skill in effective communication (written and oral) and accurate and timely research.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team, fostering a cooperative and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to coordinate projects, initiatives, and services.
• Ability to work within a dynamic environment where deadlines and priorities may change and evolve.

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following:  a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment.  You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.  Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.  Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.  If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary range begins at $54,779.  Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Classified Staff (CLS) position.  NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System; paid vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents.  More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. Classified Staff employees are in a probationary status for their first six months at NAU.  NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.  Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan).  New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date.  Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Additionally, new employees will begin participating in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. 

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development.  New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. 

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

May 22, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page.  You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline.  If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets. 

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.  Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Know Your Rights Poster

NAU is an Employer of National Service.  AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.