Curator for Race and Ethnicity

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30-Nov-2021
Curator for Race and Ethnicity
Harvard Radcliffe Institute
56473BR

Job Summary
The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America documents the lives of women of the past and present for the future and furthers the Radcliffe Institute’s commitment to the study of women, gender, sexuality, and society. We seek a visionary candidate to fill the position of Curator for Race and Ethnicity, created in 2016. The Curator plays a vital part in the Library’s sustained and ongoing work to build a more complete historical record in order to support research and learning. Working as part of a team as well as independently, the curator collaborates with other Library staff to ethically develop collections documenting the history and contributions of women and organizations under-represented in Schlesinger’s collections, especially those from Latinx, African American, Caribbean, and Asian American groups. The successful candidate should have extensive knowledge of the history of women and gender in one or more of these areas.

The Curator collaborates with the Library’s faculty director, executive director, other curators, and members of the Acquisitions Committee to identify gaps in our collections and to develop and implement a robust strategy to broaden the Library’s holdings by fostering relationships with multiple communities. The Curator is responsible for collection development of manuscript, printed, and electronic records in these areas. They determine strategic priorities, manage acquisitions, and engage with collections holders and their communities to support this crucial facet of the Library’s mission. They work with colleagues to steward the Library’s existing collections, communicating with donors about ongoing collection issues, and offering intellectual guidance to archivists on the processing of newly-acquired collections. The Curator also works with Library and faculty colleagues to elevate inclusive stories from within Schlesinger’s existing collections.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Work collaboratively with Library staff to deepen our world-class collections for American women’s and gender history, especially collections that document the experiences of historically under-represented groups.
Build relationships with potential donors of manuscript collections.
Work with other Schlesinger curators to build and manage advisory working groups comprised of scholars, Library staff, and philanthropic supporters.
Work with colleagues in the broader Harvard Library system to plan for the processing of collections that require linguistic competencies beyond those of Schlesinger staff.
Work with Library leadership to further a comprehensive strategy of community engagement to support our enhanced collecting mission. Such a strategy will include:
Collaborating with Radcliffe colleagues to develop vibrant public programming
Working with Harvard faculty and colleagues in Research Services to enhance and support teaching and learning through our collections
Planning and curating exhibitions of Schlesinger materials
Representing the Library at community events
Maintaining high visibility in the archival profession and in Harvard and Radcliffe publications to elevate the efforts
Serve on the Schlesinger Library’s Acquisitions Committee and recommend potential acquisitions (both donations and purchases).
Negotiate the terms of deeds of gift and agreements to purchase.
Oversee acquisition budgets, monitor funds, manage gift and purchase agreements, and document all facets of ongoing work.
Report on collection development efforts to varied stakeholders, contributing and assessing data as needed.
Promote awareness, understanding and recognition of legal issues which may arise from working with unpublished collections in areas such as copyright, privacy, confidentiality, right-to-know, and ownership.
Leverage technology to expand collection development in a technology-driven collecting landscape.
Represent the Schlesinger Library on Harvard Library committees.
Other duties may also be assigned.

Basic Qualifications

Master’s degree or comparable evidence of advanced study in American history; Africana, Latina/o, or Asian American Studies; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or other related field.
ALA-accredited MLS (Master’s in Library Science) or equivalent degree in a related field such as Public Humanities.
Knowledge of archival theory, practice, and technologies, including in relation to born digital material.
Three plus years of curatorial or collection development experience.
Excellent organizational skills, including experience with budget and records management.

Additional Qualifications and Skills
Additional Desired Qualifications:

Experience building community relationships.
Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and collaboratively, in a highly collegial and team-based environment.
Excellent communication skills.
Language expertise relevant to the Curator’s particular collecting missions.
Familiarity with conservation and preservation practices relating to special collections and ability to assess the conservation / preservation demands of potential acquisitions, including born digital material.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Proven experience working with collectors and building donor relationships.
Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with a wide range of people at different levels within the library, at the Radcliffe Institute, across Harvard University and the public.
Demonstrated ability to build effective long-term relationships both internally and externally and the ability to advocate for the Schlesinger Library’s goals.
Demonstrated experience and background in research and writing that establishes expertise in an area of study.
Exceptional verbal and written communication, demonstrated presentation skills.
Advanced technology skills including social media, Google Docs, One Drive, and database-management applications.
Proven ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple priorities, with competing deadlines.
Demonstrated project management skills.

Physical Requirements
Employee must have the ability to sit at a desk for extended periods and complete tasks requiring extensive typing. This position involves lifting and must be able to lift 40 pounds, manage cartloads of material weighing up to 240 pounds and climb ladders to retrieve or reshelf collections.

Working Conditions
This job is generally performed in a temperature controlled office environment. The position entails occasional visits to donor homes, speaking engagements at offsite locations, and some travel to conferences/meetings. There may be exposure to dust and occasional limited exposure to mold, particularly in the handling of gift collections.

Additional Information
Cover Letter:

Please note that cover letters are required for every application for a position at the Radcliffe Institute. Please combine your cover letter and resume into a single document that is uploaded when you are instructed by HARVARD CAREERS, Harvard’s online application program, to “Upload my resume/CV from my computer.”

COVID Vaccination:

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Interviews:

We will be conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates until further notice and appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.

About the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute’s commitment to women, gender, and society.
We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to achieving our goals through the efforts of a highly skilled, diverse workforce.  With outstanding benefits, competitive pay, extensive learning opportunities, and a stimulating and attractive work environment, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University may be exactly the employer you have been looking for.

Diversity Statement

At the Harvard Library, our work is enriched by our diverse campus community. Our unique and wide-ranging abilities, experiences, and perspectives are integral to achieving Harvard University’s mission of excellence in research, teaching, and learning for our patrons, our collections, and our workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment that cultivates and promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration across our diverse workforce enables our success.

We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities to apply to be a part of our community of over 700 staff members.  Our work with faculty, students and researchers to explore answers to intellectual questions, enduring and new, and to seek solutions to the world’s most consequential problems, requires that we not only reflect, but also champion our diverse society.

A global leader, the Harvard Library is a pre-eminent research library that acquires, disseminates, and preserves knowledge. Harvard’s Library holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding inventories of digital resources. It is the work of the Harvard Library to provide the University’s faculty, students, and researchers—now and in the future—with comprehensive access over time to all of these materials.

Learn more about our contributions to the academic enterprise by visiting us at http://lib.harvard.edu/about-us and about the Harvard University Community at http://hr.harvard.edu/why-harvard

The Harvard Library is a proud member of the ACRL Diversity Alliance.
Job FunctionLibrary
Location
USA – MA – Cambridge
Job Code386058 Library Manager
Sub-Unit
————
DepartmentSchlesinger Library
Time Status
Full-time
Salary Grade058
Union
00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment ScreeningEducation, Employment, Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.