Career Center

Excited about unique resources in women’s history? Want to help Smith College Special Collections shine a light on underutilized or “hidden” materials? If so, come join us! 

The Project Archivist for Enhanced Description is a Mellon funded three-year position focused on appraisal, description, and access work. Focused on the evaluation of artificial subject collections in the Sophia Smith Collection of women’s history, the successful candidate will work with other technical services staff to surface extraordinary primary source manuscripts and single item artifacts related to gender justice in the US. 

The aim of this position is in keeping with the mission, vision and values of Smith College Special Collections - to improve discoverability and accessibility of un-or-under described primary source documents. The ability to understand the historical and evidentiary value of materials long removed from their archival context is a substantial part of the work. Topics are broad and include women’s rights, slavery and anti-slavery, suffrage, education, music, and abortion. This position reports to the Head of Technical Services for Special Collections.

Smith College Special Collections is located in the spectacularly redesigned Neilson Library, which offers new opportunities for research, teaching, and exhibition. We are committed to the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity, and access. Learn more about Smith College at a glance. 

Information on staff benefits can be found on the Smith College website. For additional details about the position or to apply, please visit the Smith College HR portal. 

• Specific experience in collection surveying and appraisal or accessioning strongly preferred.
• Education in the humanities, especially 20th Century U.S. history or women’s history is a plus.
• Knowledge of relevant archival standards and frameworks (DACS required; MARC and others a plus).
• Fluency with ArchivesSpace preferred.
• Knowledge of US History and familiarity with US women’s history preferred. Experience with or understanding of the principles of reparative and inclusive description preferred.
• Excellent research and communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment as well as be self-motivated.
• Ability to adapt to, and thrive in, a quickly-changing work environment.