• Manuscripts Division Processing Assistant

    University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)


    Manuscripts Division Processing Assistant

    How to Apply

    A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and a resume as one file (because of system limitations).

    Job Summary

    The William L Clements Library at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Manuscripts Division Processing Assistant for a 2-year term appointment. This position in the Manuscripts Division is responsible for initial arrangement, preliminary description, and implementation of semi-automated processes for creating basic finding aids for a wide variety of 18th- to early 20th-century manuscripts and other archival materials. The primary focus of this position is the production of minimal EAD records for the Clements Library's more recent acquisitions using descriptive content exported from ArchivesSpace; the revision of existing finding aids and MARC records; and the incorporation of digital object references into EAD and MARC records.

     

    Who We Are

     

    The William L. Clements Library is a University of Michigan library that houses original resources for the study of U.S. history and culture from the fifteenth through the nineteenth century. Its mission is to collect and preserve primary source materials, to make them available for research, and to create an environment that supports and encourages scholarly investigation of our nation's past.

     

    For more information, please visit our website: William L. Clements Library (https://clements.umich.edu/)

    Responsibilities*

    Note, the responsibilities and associated percentage of time spent on the specific functions below are what are anticipated for this position. The associated percentage of effort may shift and change slightly, depending on the metadata needs for digitization projects at a given time.

    Preliminary Processing and Semi-Automated Creation of Archival Descriptions (95%)

    + Address pre-processing needs, such as initial arrangements and housing of a variety of material types

    + Conduct basic research

    + Write basic descriptions of archival materials

    + Produce EAD records for Manuscripts Division collections using semi-automated methods

    + Revise previously-created EAD and MARC records

    + Incorporate references to digital objects into EAD and MARC records

    Other duties as assigned (5%)

    + Collaboration and coordination with colleagues in the different divisions of the Clements Library

    + Documentation and attention to changing best practices

    Required Qualifications*

    + Undergraduate degree in a related field with classroom or hands-on experience working with historical archival materials and/or archival description.

    + Knowledge of applications and tools relevant to spreadsheets and word processing.

    + Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

    + Strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.

    + Knowledge of, or capacity to learn, aspects of American history and culture of the 18th-early 20th centuries.

     

    Modes of Work

     

    Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

     

    Additional Information

     

    Please note: This is a 2-year term-limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

     

    The mode of work for this position is On-site.

     

    Excellent benefits are available; for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

     

    The salary for this position is $44,000 annually. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position, and internal equity within the unit.

     

    Background Screening

     

    The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

     

    Application Deadline

     

    Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

     

    Decision Making Process

     

    Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and will continue until the position is filled.

     

    U-M EEO Statement

     

    The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

     

    Job Detail

     

    Job Opening ID

     

    270030

     

    Working Title

     

    Manuscripts Division Processing Assistant

     

    Job Title

     

    Infor Resources Reference Spec

     

    Work Location

     

    Ann Arbor Campus

     

    Ann Arbor, MI

     

    Modes of Work

     

    Onsite

     

    Full/Part Time

     

    Full-Time

     

    Regular/Temporary

     

    Regular

     

    FLSA Status

     

    Nonexempt

     

    Organizational Group

     

    Acad & Fac Affairs

     

    Department

     

    Clements Library

     

    Posting Begin/End Date

     

    10/22/2025 - 11/13/2025

     

    Salary

     

    $44,000.00 - $44,000.00

     

    Career Interest

     

    Libraries & Museums