Head Archivist, Ogden and Mary Louise Reid Cinema Archives

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse,energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking andpractical idealism go hand in hand. Wesleyan University is a highly selective, independent liberal artsinstitution recognized for its commitment to innovative teaching,interdisciplinary scholarship, and an engaged campuscommunity. The College of Film and the Moving Image (CFILM) is internationallyrecognised for its distinctive approach to the study and practiceof visual storytelling. Bringing together the Department of FilmStudies, the Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies, and theOgden and Mary Louise Reid Cinema Archives, the College advancesteaching, research, filmmaking, and public engagement while servingas a destination for scholars and filmmakers from around theworld. Founded in 1982, the Ogden and Mary Louise Reid Cinema Archives hasbeen a pioneer in collecting, curating, and preserving essentialmaterials from the history of film, and making them accessible toscholars, critics, and students. It is the primary repository fordocumentation from the careers of such historical luminaries asFrank Capra, Elia Kazan, Ingrid Bergman, Raoul Walsh, Stuart Byron,and Kay Francis. It also contains the papers of such modernAmerican artists as John Waters as well as papers donated byWesleyan alumni working in film and television, including JossWhedon, Akiva Goldsman, and others. These papers are grounded infilm and television history and creation, but they also reach outtoward other significant cultural and historical events such asCapra’s work as the head of the Office of War Information in WorldWar II, and Kazan’s work with the Group Theatre and his HouseCommittee on Un-American Activities testimonies. Altogether, theArchive holds 42 collections, primarily housed in 2,500 square-footarchival vault. Reporting to the Curator, the Head Archivist provides leadershipfor the stewardship, preservation, accessibility, and continuedgrowth of the Ogden and Mary Louise Reid Cinema Archives. Collaborating closely with the Curator, the position overseescollection management (acquisitions, archival processing,preservation, digitization), exhibitions, and research services. The position also develops and implements archival standards andbest practices that support the long-term stewardship of theArchives . Working collaboratively with faculty, students, researchers,donors, alumni, collectors, museums, and other culturalinstitutions, the position supports collection development,scholarly research, exhibitions, and educational initiatives. Responsibilities include: Lead the stewardship of the Archives’ forty‑two collections byestablishing workflows and processes for the arrangement,description, preservation, cataloging, and long‑term care of thecollections. Accession new acquisitions, coordinate appraisals, oversee allaspects of archival processing including the creation of findingaids, and manage digitization initiatives supporting preservationand access. Respond to complex reference inquiries and assist internal andexternal researchers wishing to gain access to thecollections. Collaborate with University legal counsel to negotiate use feesfor individuals and organizations seeking to publish, display, orbroadcast images and documents from the Archives, consistent withthe policies and guidelines established by the Curator. Assist the Curator in drafting and negotiating donor agreementsand deeds of gift to the Archives. Assist the Curator in identifying, preparing, writing, andadministering grant proposals that support the stewardship of theArchives. Assist the Curator and Director of CFILM with public outreachand special projects, including presentations, lectures, workshops,exhibitions, tours, and community engagement activities usingarchival collections. Monitor environmental conditions in storage facilities andensure preservation standards are met within the archival storageareas. Recommend, select, and install archival exhibitions in the RickNicita Gallery, Center for Film Studies. Contribute to strategic planning for the continued growth,preservation, and accessibility of the Archives. Support pedagogical use of the Archives by the Film Studiesfaculty and collaborate with the College of Film and the MovingImage to advance teaching, research, and scholarlyinitiatives. Develop content for the Archives' website, exhibitions, andother outreach materials, and coordinate updates with theappropriate University staff responsible for websiteadministration. Provide supervision and direction for archival staff, includingthe Assistant Archivist position as established. Recruit, train, supervise, and assign work to studentemployees, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those whoqualify). Minimum Qualifications Master’s in Library Science with a concentration in Archives,Museum Studies, Film Studies, or closely related field, and aminimum of four years of progressively responsible experience inArchives, special collections, museums, libraries, or anothercollection-based cultural institution. Relevant professional andgraduate-level experience. or an equivalent combination ofeducation, training, and experience will be considered. Demonstrated knowledge of archival principles, appraisal, andarchival standards such as DACS and EAD. Demonstrated experiencemanaging archival collections, including arrangement anddescription, creation of finding aids, preservation, anddigitization. Demonstrated project management and communication skills, withthe ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercisesound professional judgment, and build collaborative relationshipswith diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborativelywhile maintaining confidentiality when working with sensitive orvaluable archival materials. Experience providing archival reference and research servicesand collaborating with faculty, students, researchers, donors, andother internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to create workflows, policies, andprocedures related to various aspects of archival work. Physical ability to lift and move archival materials weighingup to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Preferred Qualifications Experience with moving image, film, television, media, or otherspecialized archival collections. Experience with grant writing, grant administration, orsecuring external funding for archives, libraries, museums, orother cultural institutions. Experience developing or expanding archival collections throughdonor cultivation, acquisitions, collection development, or thenegotiation of donor agreements, rights, and permissions. Experience curating exhibitions, developing public programming,supporting educational initiatives, or promoting the visibility andaccessibility of archival collections through publications,partnerships, or other scholarly activities. Experience with digital preservation technologies, digitalasset management systems, digital repository platforms, orcollection management systems. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, establishpriorities, develop operational workflows, and guide archivalinitiatives in a collaborative environment. Demonstrated supervisory experience, including the ability torecruit, train, mentor, and evaluate staff and studentemployees. Position is open until filled. Compensation: $63,100-$74,400.00 Work Location: On Campus All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’scompletion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfactionof Wesleyan University. Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator. Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify. Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator. Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University's Clery Act Report are available on request and online at #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.