Description

Archivist/ Librarian II

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Archivist in the Department of University Libraries. As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. Join us in advancing knowledge and transforming lives—on campus and beyond. Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan and Waco, along with a robust online community that extends our reach even further.

 At the heart of it all is Stephenville, where Tarleton State offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff. From a lively live music scene and numerous local festivals to rich traditions rooted in the surrounding community, Stephenville provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

No matter where you're located—on campus or online—you are part of a mission that transforms lives and makes a difference across the state of Texas and beyond. 

Job Description Summary 

Under the direction of the Graduate & Faculty Services Coordinator, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Archives, coordinating the identification, appraisal, acquisition, processing, storage, access, preservation and disposal of Archives, and promoting collections documenting the history of Tarleton State University and the Erath County region. This is a full-time staff position located on Tarleton’s campus in Stephenville, Texas. As a librarian some holiday, evening, or weekend duties are required.

Responsibilities:

55% Processing Preservation & Collection Maintenance:

• Leads development of physical asset projects
• Develops, implements, and executes processes enabling appraisal, acquisition, arrangement, description, and preservation of physical archive collections using best standards and practices.
• Manages access to physical collections through research and DACS-compliant finding aids as well as bibliographies, subject guides, MARC-formatted catalog entries, and other tools to aid users.
• Assess physical condition of the collections and identify conservation/preservation needs and perform preservation activities as needed including digitization.
• Maintain statistics, storage and shelving of collections and archival space.
• Assist in identifying records suitable for digitization and in the development of strategies for records requiring reformatting.
• Submit regular reports on status of processing and other reports as needed. 
• Train and supervise the processing work of student assistants.

25% University archives/records management:

• Leads efforts related to the procurement of new collections. Cultivates donor relations and participates in donor events. Engages in outreach and collaboration with campus and community partners.
• Develop relationships with university faculty, staff, student organizations, university colleges and departments, university committees, and alumni for acquiring important historical university records.
• Advise/assist University offices and departments with best practices for management of historical university records including arranging for the transfer of materials in accordance with records retention approved policies and best practices.
• Create and maintain donation policies determining the collection and retention of archival materials. 

20% Professional Librarian: Serve the community using expertise in reference, instruction, liaison, and professional duties specifically in Archives and Special collections.

Reference

• Apply knowledge of appropriate best practices and library and national standards to develop and implement archives reference services.
• Maintain a reading room with appropriate services, furniture, and equipment to provide an environment conducive to research with archival materials including maintaining policies and guidelines for reading room.
• Assist patrons with the use of archives and special collections via email, mail, phone, and chat.
• Provide reference services through various communication methods to on- campus and off-campus students and faculty and keep accurate counts.
• Staff Reference services as assigned.
• Provide point-of-use instruction and assistance to individuals or groups as needed.

 Instruction

• Actively solicit, create and teach library instruction to support the university’s curriculum and students in both traditional and online formats.
• Provide both general and subject-specific bibliographic instruction to classes as requested by faculty.
• Prepare instructional materials for classes and other groups as needed including but not limited to videos, LibGuides, pathfinders, and programming.
• Subject Liaison
• Promote the visibility and use of archival collections.
• Serves as liaison to one or more academic departments, working with faculty to meet their information needs and the needs of their students.

Professional

• Recommends policy and procedure changes as it deals with the library, instruction, reference, liaising, and services.
• Actively develop and implement ideas for the promotion of the library to the university community including but not limited to programs, activities, and services.
• Work within teams and departments to recommend and assess new programs, policies, procedures, and services.
• Attend professional meetings and remain abreast of relevant current developments in the field
• Positively represents Tarleton State University in professional, community, and state organizations.
• Maintains professional demeanor and appearance in representing the Library and the University.
• Serve on university committees.
• Attend meetings of faculty/staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements Preferred:

• Experience working as an archivist.
• Familiarity or experience with, or aptitude for, the implementation of best practices, principles, standards, and tools such as DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), EAD (EncodedArchival Description), OAI-PMH (Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting), MARC, Dublin Core, TARO (Texas Archival Resources Online system), and Integrated Library Systems and workflows.
• Certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists.
• Society of American Archivist Digital Archivist Specialist certificate, or evidence of courses toward its completion.

Application Procedure: 

Applications only accepted on-line at https://www.tarleton.edu/jobs and should be submitted to job posting R-088330. During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents, and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via the"Submit" action.  

Employment applications must include:

• Completed online application
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered. Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. “See resume” is not an acceptable entry in the job application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited program with an emphasis on archival studies or appropriate certified alternate master's degree.
• Two years of related experience in an academic library, archive, or museum

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated competencies in using computers, office applications, and library and archives- related software.
• Coursework and/or training in archival theory, methodology, issues, and trends. Knowledge of library and archival reference tools and procedures.
• Knowledge of records management issues and practices.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, customer service, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others or independently.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects.