Academic

Job Category Faculty Bargaining

Job Title Digital Archivist

Department UBC Library | University Archives (Erwin Wodarczak)

Posting End Date May 5, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Digital Archivist
University Archives, UBC Library | Vancouver Campus
Full-time, Confirmation-track Librarian
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2023

UBC LIBRARY:

As one of the world\'s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.

We honour, celebrate and thank the x\xca\xb7m\xc9\x99\xce\xb8k\xca\xb7\xc9\x99y\xcc\x93 \xc9\x99m (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.

The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the Xwi7xwa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Over 300 knowledgeable employees \xe2\x80\x93 librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff \xe2\x80\x93 provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.

To highlight a few exciting projects that the Library is working on:

• 
  William Shakespeare\xe2\x80\x99s First Folio published in 1623 gifted to UBC Library
• 
  UBC Library becomes first Canadian institution to join Dryad open-data repository
• 
  UBC Library launches Open Publishing Program
• 
  Xwi7xwa Library highlights local experiences of Residential Schools in Canada through curated exhibit display

The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our
aspirational values that we strive to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).

Learn more about the UBC Library
Strategic Framework and about
working with us .

LIBRARY BRANCH/UNIT

The University Archives, located in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre on UBC\xe2\x80\x99s Point Grey campus, serves as UBC\'s corporate memory by identifying, preserving and making available for use the University\'s valuable text, photographic and audio-visual archival materials. The Archives also coordinates the University-wide records management program that supports various departments by preserving evidence of past decisions and events; serves in a public relations capacity by disseminating information about UBC\'s history; and supports academic research through the provision of reference services and specialized research tools.

In addition to UBC\xe2\x80\x99s institutional records, the Archives also acquires private papers from selected faculty members, administrators and alumni, as well as the records of independent student, alumni and employee organizations. Prominent among these private archives are those of noted scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki, science-fiction author William Gibson, composer Jean Coulthard, and journalist Joe Schlesinger.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The University Archives serves as the central repository for recorded data in all formats created by, for, and about the University of British Columbia. Its mandate, according to Board of Governors Policies GA4 & GA5, is to identify, select, preserve, and make available for use these permanently valuable University records.

Reporting to the University Archivist, the Digital Archivist is responsible for implementing the Archives Digital Preservation Policy Framework and showing, leading, and growing a digital archives program for UBC Library. Working with the University Archivist, the Digital Archivist appraises, acquires, arranges, describes, preserves, and makes available records of archival value. Specific emphasis will be placed on digitized and born-digital records received through the records management program as well as University departments, schools, administrative offices and private donors. The Digital Archivist provides reference service to researchers wishing access to archival holdings and to digital records particularly. They also write and recommend policies and procedures for the use, storage, and preservation of digital records. Similarly, the Digital Archivist works with staff in Rare Books and Special Collections to appraise, acquire, arrange, describe, preserve, and make available digital records of archival value within RBSC\xe2\x80\x99s acquisitions mandate. The Digital Archivist also works with staff in Digital Programs and Services in web archiving \xe2\x80\x93 that is, the preservation of institutional websites and related web-based content, which forms part of the University\xe2\x80\x99s institutional record. The Digital Archivist also supervises staff and student workers as required; participates in library and campus committees, professional organizations, and the University community; and provides general reference services.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to the University Archivist, and works closely with records management staff within University Archives. The Digital Archivist works closely with professionals and support staff in Rare Books and Special Collections and in Digital Programs and Services. They will liaise with staff elsewhere in the library and around the University regarding digital archives and digital preservation matters.

DUTIES:

In conjunction with the University Archivist and records management staff, and in close association with staff in Rare Books and Special Collections and Digital Programs and Services, the Digital Archivist is responsible for the development and delivery of archival services with respect to born-digital and digitized records, and for establishing, implementing, and leading an archival digital preservation policy framework for the Library. More specifically, the responsibilities of the Digital Archivist include:

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  Identification, acquisition, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation of, and access to the University\xe2\x80\x99s permanently valuable records in all formats with an emphasis on digitized and born-digital records.
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  Working closely with records management staff to test and establish procedures and workflows for the transfer of institutional records, including email, for long-term preservation in accordance with Board of Governors Policies GA4 and GA5.
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  Negotiation for the acquisition of private records of faculty members and administrators, research collections, and the records of other organizations closely affiliated with the University, with an emphasis on digitized and born-digital records.
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  Working closely with Rare Books and Special Collections staff in the acquisition and preservation of digitized and born-digital records within their acquisitions mandate.
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  Working closely with Digital Programs and Services staff in archiving institutional web content and on digital preservation matters in general.
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  Assisting the University Archivist in the formulation and implementation of programs for the creation of digital archives and associated metadata.
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  Recommending policies and workflows for accessioning, describing, preserving, and accessing born-digital materials, while guaranteeing their authenticity.
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  Liaison and co-operation with other Archives or Library staff of diverse backgrounds on projects and issues of mutual interest, regarding digitization and the administration and preservation of digital records.
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  Overseeing the creation and maintenance of finding aids for digital materials held in the University Archives that conform to evolving national and international standards, while ensuring that they reflect the diversity of the University community.
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  Providing general reference service for the Archives to a diverse population of UBC students, staff, and faculty, and members of the public, in a prompt and courteous manner.
• 
  Periodically reviewing existing collections, programs, and services, focusing on digital materials and services, to ensure they reflect the diversity of the University community.
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  Promoting the value of archival of archival holdings in general, and born-digital and digitized archival holdings, as well as archival services, by means of publicity, publications, and exhibitions.

Supervision and Administration

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  May be assigned supervisory responsibility for collections management and storage.
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  May be assigned coordination of services or projects such as reference, teaching and instruction, collections, web presence, subject guides and/or information guides, etc.

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  During assigned periods may have responsibility for operation of the University Archives. Supervision of library assistants, Work Learn, professional experience, and other student assistants, and project contractors carrying out specific work on archival collections.
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  Works to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into professional practice, such as public services, instruction, collection development, and cataloguing.

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  Contributes to the continued development of a library environment and culture that supports and celebrates EDI.
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  Supports EDI through professional development opportunities and maintains an awareness of EDI initiatives at the departmental, campus, institutional and provincial level such as UBC\xe2\x80\x99s Inclusion Action Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Professional Development and Scholarship

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  Accepts responsibility for continuing professional education and development.
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  Willingly develops and maintains skills, and assumes appropriate leadership relevant to the position.
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  Keeps current with developments in the fields of archival science and records management, specifically with respect to born-digital and digitized records, and maintains contact with other professionals in the field through archival and records management associations and meetings.
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  Participates in appropriate professional organizations.
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  Engages in professional development, scholarly and service activities under the terms of the Collective Agreement.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

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  A Graduate Degree in Archival Studies (MAS), or equivalent from an accredited school of Library, Archival and Information Science.
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  Experience working with archival material in all formats especially born-digital and digitized documents in both current and non-current digital formats.
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  Experience collecting, preserving, and providing access to born-digital and digitized records.
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  Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian archival descriptive standards.
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  Knowledge and experience in digital preservation theory, standards, and best practices including technical requirements for digital preservation.
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  Evidence of strong professional communication skills, including: written and verbal, in-person and online, active listening, responding to constructive feedback.
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  Experience with computer technology and software, particularly library and archival management systems.
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  Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment and engage with professional and library assistant staff and the public.
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  Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, reliability, and willingness to learn new technologies and organizational systems.
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  Evidence of working to build a team environment built on positive working relationships, and providing leadership, guidance and resources to teams while trusting them to excel.

PREFERRED

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  Practical experience with digital transfer, preservation, and access tools, including but not limited to, Archivematica, AtoM, MoveIt, and Archive-it.
• 
  Practical experience with email transfer and associated tools e.g., Emailchemy, ePADD.
• 
  Practical experience with digital archival transfer of institutional records via retention schedules including email.
• 
  Experience with web archiving and/or website development standards.
• 
  Experience or knowledge related to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into all aspects of professional practice e.g. concepts of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and how data sovereignty theory is applicable within an archival context.
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  Knowledge of International archival standards.
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  Previous experience working in a university archives or library special collections environment.
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  Other formal education in related fields such as History or computer science.
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  Strong interest in and demonstrated broad knowledge of B.C. and Canadian history and current affairs.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY:

Appointment: This is a full-time confirmation-track appointment with an anticipated start date of 1 September 2023. The successful candidate will hold an initial three-year appointment, normally followed by an ongoing confirmed appointment. In most cases confirmation-track appointments are reviewed following the second year of appointment, and a recommendation is made at that time to grant or not to grant an ongoing confirmed appointment.

The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (
https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies ).

Eligibility: We are only considering applications from librarians with a maximum of five years of professional library experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.

Salary: Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, and will meet or exceed the minimum salaries outlined in the Collective Agreement. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement:
https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies

Benefits: Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources:
https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status, and indicates the candidate\'s education, training and work experience in the areas listed above. One consolidated PDF is preferred.