Florida Political Papers Archivist

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Florida Political Papers Archivist

Assistant University Librarian or Associate University Librarian

University of Florida

George A Smathers Libraries

The University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries seek a Florida Political Papers Archivist. The position is a 12-month, tenure-track library faculty position in the Special and Area Studies Collections Department (SASC). The successful applicant will curate manuscript collections in the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History related to the state’s political past, as well as those related to Native and Indigenous peoples. The Archivist builds archival collections, processes or supervises processing, and provides reference assistance for these collection areas. The Archivist plays an integral role in public and technical services aspects of the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History, collaborating with personnel, providing access to, and promoting Florida history materials through programs, exhibits, and publications. In collaboration with SASC’s Collection Services Unit, the Archivist ensures that collections are processed in a timely fashion and accessible broadly.

The Florida Political Papers Archivist prioritizes collections for processing, coordinates with the head of Public Services when relevant collections are used, identifies materials for digitization and provides necessary metadata, delivers interpretive content for an online presence, and works closely with the Senior Director of Development and External Relations to secure funding for the collections. The Archivist coordinates with other department curators to preserve and describe the department’s rich and extensive digital holdings. The position also collaborates with and advises colleagues in Humanities and Social Sciences on related political and Native American archival collections and programming. The position supports academic areas such as Political Science, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program, and UF’s interdisciplinary programs. The Archivist develops archival collections to support current and emerging research and instructional needs, provides general and specialized subject area reference services, research assistance, and library instruction, and participates in departmental and Libraries-wide outreach programming.

QUALIFICATIONS

Research indicates that applicants from underrepresented groups are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet all the required and preferred qualifications.1 We want to emphasize that the preferred
qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop the preferred skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to communicate how their work and other
experiences satisfy the required qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

Required:

• Masters or Ph.D. in a relevant academic field.
• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience for appointment as Assistant University Librarian.
Minimum eight (8) years of relevant experience required for appointment as Associate University Librarian.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Florida and United States history, as well as subject areas relevant to position.
• Familiarity with academic library research resources and researcher practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, independently, and collaboratively in a collegial environment with faculty, students, administrators, and the general public.
• Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to adapt and work creatively in a complex, rapidly changing academic environment.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, presentation and/or teaching and/or training skills.
• Record of including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and perspectives in research, teaching, service, and other work.
• Strong potential to meet the requirements for tenure and promotion outlined in the departmental by-laws.

Preferred:

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum two (2) years of relevant library work experience.
• Experience in archives and/or collection management.
• Experience with outreach and community engagement.
• Experience with, or coursework in, classroom instruction.
• Experience with, or coursework in, digital humanities

The search will remain open until September 28, 2023, and applications will be reviewed as received. For a full description of the position and instructions on how to apply, please refer to the George A. Smathers Libraries faculty recruitment webpage at https://hr.uflib.ufl.edu/prospective-employees/current-openings/vacant-faculty-positions/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. Applicants from a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities and disabled persons, are especially encouraged to apply.

Address inquiries to Joe Piazza, Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at: jpiazza@ufl.edu.