| Job Description: |
PLEASE NOTE: The office is located in St. Augustine managed by the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc. (UFHSA).
JOB SUMMARY
The Governor’s House Collections Assistant provides processing, preservation, and public service support for the collections in the Governor’s House Library in St. Augustine, Florida. Works with historical materials in a variety of formats including archival records, library materials, artifacts, maps, drawings, audiovisual recordings, photographs, and digital content. Provides assistance to researchers, and participates in education, outreach and promotional activities.
Liaises with UF Historic St. Augustine, Inc. (UFHSA) board members and administrative employees to manage the UFHSA artifact collection of over 1,000 objects according to museum best practices. Works with internal and external partners to ensure proper documentation and use of object collection. Assists UFHSA in managing incoming and outgoing object loans. Works with Collections Coordinator to ensure best practices in policies and procedures for all collections.
The Governor’s House Library includes historical records and artifacts that have been used to preserve and interpret the city's history from its founding in 1565. The collections document several decades of historic preservation and archaeological work that was completed on historic properties and structures. Governor’s House is one of several state owned properties managed by the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Library Services
- Completes collection management activities including maintaining archival finding aids, inventories, metadata for digital content, and documentation about holdings.
- Completes digitization and basic preservation activities in order to preserve and provide access to materials.
- Exercises a moderate amount of independent judgment in developing work sequences and in making processing decisions with direction from the Library Coordinator.
- Assists with managing collection storage activities, including collection shifts, shelf reads, and relocating and transferring materials between storage locations.
- Maintains and reports data about the collection and participates in the assessment of processes and services.
Museums and Artifact Collection Management
- Works with the Collections Coordinator to manage the UFHSA artifact collection according to museum best practices relating to storage, cataloging, preservation, exhibiting, and deaccessioning.
- Advises UFHSA on museum best practices for collection management needs and object display, including updates to existing policies and procedures and creating new policies and procedures as necessary.
- Assists UFHSA in managing incoming and outgoing loans, including conducting inventories, completing condition reports and assisting with loan renewals.
- Compiles and updates reports to ensure documentation, display, and use of objects in collection and gallery spaces according to museum best practices.
- Assists UFHSA in monitoring environmental conditions in gallery or artifact storage spaces, and reports security issues to UFHSA.
- Participates in the UFHSA exhibition program by advising UFHSA on exhibition planning, coordination, marketing, programming, etc. May curate exhibits (e.g., online exhibits or exhibits in the Governor’s House lobby spaces).
Public Services, Outreach, and Education
- Provides research assistance and supports instruction activities for faculty, students, scholars, and others using the Library in person or at a distance.
- Opens and/or closes the library during normal hours of operation.
- Supports the education and research activities of Preservation Institute: St. Augustine, also based in Governor’s House.
- Promotes awareness and use of collections and services through social media posts and online digital content.
- Assists with public tours and events, exhibitions, and other outreach activities
- Develops and maintains relations with members of the St. Augustine community, including personnel from other cultural heritage repositories and educational institutions.
- Maintains and reports data about public services, outreach, and education (e.g., reference and instruction).
Communication and Contacts
- Communicates and maintains relationships with personnel in SASC, UFHSA, and other UF units.
- Communicates and maintains relationships with Preservation & Conservation, Digital Support Services, and other units in the Libraries to ensure digital reformatting and preservation treatments for materials.
- May participate in hiring, training, and/or supervising student assistants, interns, and Library Assistant I and Assistant II staff.
Other Duties as Assigned
- Attends meetings and trainings to remain appraised of procedures and policies, to gain knowledge and skills, and to share information with others.
- Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
- Serves on departmental and library committees or working groups.
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| Preferred: |
- At least one year of successful experience working with archival records, preferably in an academic archives, library, or museum.
- Experience providing assistance to researchers in an archives, library, or museum.
- Bachelor’s degree or certificate in historic preservation, architecture, archaeology, public history, history, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of technologies such as archival management systems, digital systems and metadata, and/or library catalogs.
- Knowledge of St. Augustine and Florida history, preferably the history of the built environment.
- Experience with public engagement and/or community relations.
- Excellent planning, analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Commitment to contributing to a respectful and caring community for all.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to accomplish goals
- Flexibility, and ability to adapt and work in a rapidly changing academic environment
- Basic computer skills and experience with Microsoft Word and Outlook.
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