Head Archivist - Weitzman Architectural Archives

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Head Archivist - Weitzman Architectural Archives

Job Profile Title

Archivist B

Job Description Summary

The Head Archivist is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible the holdings of the Architectural Archives. Reporting to the Curator, the Head Archivist oversees the operations of the Architectural Archives at the University of Pennsylvania (AAUP) as well as the stewardship of its over 400 design-related collections. A successful candidate will bring leadership, vision, and support to the AAUP team, and will work to align the collecting mission and related activities with institutional capacity and needs.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Collections Management: Oversee collections management systems (e.g. ArchivesSpace and Archivematica), including generating finding aids and metadata. Direct the arrangement and description of archival collections. Create and implement processing plans for archival collections. Provide administrative support for incoming collections, including finalizing deeds of gift and maintaining donor files.
• Team Leadership and Supervision: Provide leadership in the management of archival collections. Oversee day-to-day operations of the archives. Develop, revise, communicate, and document goals, policies, procedures, and guidelines for the collections-related activities of the Architectural Archives. Supervise both temporary and student workers assigned to collections processing, rehousing and preservation activities. Supervise Public Services Coordinator (full-time position), Digital Project Archivist (part-time position), and any temporary collection processing staff. In collaboration with the Curator, participate in budget planning and management for collection development, preservation, and access efforts.
• Exhibitions and Public Programs: In support of the curator, assist in the organization and delivery of public programs, with curatorial work and the preparation of objects for in-house exhibitions. In collaboration with the Curator, assist with the preparation and documentation of loan requests (including condition reports, loan agreements, receipts and additional paperwork as required).
• Environmental Monitoring & Management of Collections in Off-site Storage: Monitor collection storage environments as well as the movement of collections between on-and off-site storage spaces, liaising with colleagues in Facilities, as well as on-campus and off-campus storage locations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• ALA accredited MLS with specialization in archives and/or rare materials or ACA Certified Archivist, and 3-5 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and library/archives experience are required.
• Strong leadership, organization, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of key issues, emerging technologies, and recent trends in archives and special collections.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with great attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred

• 5-7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in libraries and archives.
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working with architectural records, art collections, or highly visual archival collections.
• Work experience in a higher education setting.
• Evidence of success in introducing and managing change in a complex environment.
• Experience with ArchiveSpace and Archivematica.
• Demonstrated aptitude for departmental leadership.

**Please provide a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for this role. Please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of the application prior to submitting.**

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Design

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $72,000.00 Annual RateSalary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay