Research Assistant                                                                            

Archives

 JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for customer service for Archives and assisting patrons with reference requests.

MAJOR DUTIES

 ·         Responding to the majority of in-house and out-of-state research requests.

·         Answering the telephone and transferring calls.

·         Maintains the Archives’ lateral files, including their organization and the addition of pertinent materials.

·         Maintains the addition of newspapers to Archival holdings.

·         Assisting with volunteer projects; Making copies of genealogy records for transcription.

·         Performs tasks related to increasing user accessibility such as transcribing oral histories.

·         Performs related duties.

 KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

 ·         Knowledge of archival concepts, methods, practices, and principles.

·         Knowledge of regulations governing access to records such as copyright, freedom of information, and confidentiality.

·         Knowledge of policies and procedures regarding reference and reproduction.

·         Knowledge of archival holdings and other repositories that could be suggested to further researchers’ queries.

·         Skill in operating office equipment such as computers, microfilm, scanner/copier, and job-related software.

·         Skill in oral and written communication.

·         Skill in interpersonal relations.

·         Skill in note taking.

 SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Archives Director assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results. 

 GUIDELINES

 Guidelines include the Rights & Production of materials and Confidentiality: U.S. Copyright Law, HIPAA, FERPA, and FOIA. These guidelines require judgement, selection and interpretation in application.  

 COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

 ·         The complexity of this position involves the candidate’s ability to understand the scope of all in-house Archival holdings as well as additional sources that will assist in further research.

·         The purpose of this position is to provide resources to those conducting research and genealogy.  Successful performance in this position helps ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the office.

CONTACTS                                                              

·         Contacts are typically co-workers and the general public.

·         Contacts are typically used to exchange information and to provide services, and to resolve problems.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

 ·         The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or while intermittently standing or walking. The employee frequently lifts light objects and intermittently lifts objects around 30 pounds.

·         The work is typically performed in an office.

 SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

       None.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 ·         Knowledge and basic skills typically associated with high school education.  

·         One year of relevant experience and/or customer service experience required.