Job Posting Title:

Manager for Visual Materials Cataloging, The Harry Ransom Center

----

Hiring Department:

Harry Ransom Center

----

Position Open To:

All Applicants

----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

----

FLSA Status:

Exempt

----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

----

Job Details:

General Notes
About the Harry Ransom Center:

The Harry Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. The Center’s extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of some of our finest writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, theatre and the performing arts, film, photography, and art.  The Ransom Center maintains an active program of exhibitions and public programs that interpret and provide insight into the Center’s collections for broad audiences.

Purpose

The Harry Ransom Center is looking for a collaborative and access-forward enthusiast to lead the Visual Materials Cataloging team. The Visual Material Cataloging team takes a museum-based approach to accessioning Photography and Art Materials within the Collections, and uses a newly implemented Collection Management System to provide item level cataloging for our holdings. This position works closely with 1) curators in order to ensure accuracy of art and photography historical information, and manage cataloging priorities, 2) conservation and preservation staff to ensure accurate identification of photographic processes, and proper housing of materials, 3) collection management staff to ensure efficient inventory control workflows, and 4) the Unit’s head to support quality control of Art and Photography object records. The position also spends a third of its time engaged in active cataloging of new acquisitions and backlog. As a member of the Metadata and Discovery leadership team, this position plays an integral role in defining policies and procedures for accessioning and cataloging of Art and Photography Collection materials, as well as strategic planning for the Unit in collaboration with the other team leads for archival processing, bibliographic description, digital archives and metadata management.

Success in this position requires a commitment to professional development activities and professional service, in order to stay informed of evolving cataloging trends within the Visual Material Cataloging community, and changes in best practices and standards.

Responsibilities

Accessioning and cataloging of Art and Photography Collection materials in accordance with museum best practices. Consults with 1) curators in order to ensure accuracy of art and photography historical information, and manage cataloging priorities, 2) conservation and preservation staff to ensure accurate identification of photographic processes and artistic medium, and proper housing of materials, 3) collection management staff to ensure efficient inventory control workflows. Performs minor or routine preservation housing tasks.

Supports quality control of Art and Photography object records, engaging in the Collection Management System enhancement and remediation activities using batch record manipulation tools.

Contributes to the local name authority file, and alternative entity management registries, including Wikidata, following standard vocabulary established nationally and internationally for works of art and photographic materials.

In consultation with the unit head, establishes and monitors unit workflows and priorities related to accessioning and cataloging of Art and Photography holdings. Serves as primary contact for public services staff on issues related to the Photography and Art item level descriptions.

In consultation with the unit head, takes the lead in developing policies and procedures to ensure efficient, accurate, and effective accessioning and cataloging of Art and Photography Collection materials according to national and international standards. Maintains and systematically updates the cataloging manual for Art and Photography holdings.

Supervises a part time Archivist and a full-time project Photography Cataloger. Might supervise, train and provide mentorship for student assistant(s) and intern(s) as needed.

Takes part in professional development activities, including attending workshops, webinars, and conferences, to stay informed of evolving cataloging trends, and changes in best practices and standards.

Participates in weekly and occasional weekend public service or reference work.

Required Qualifications

Masters in Library and/or Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent institution preferred; Masters in Art History, Photography History, Museum Studies, or related degree will also be considered.

Basic experience with identifying historic photographic processes and artistic medium, particularly works on paper and print processes.

Experience with the use of a Collection Management System for item level cataloging of Visual Resources.

Experience with the use of current standards for cataloging of Visual Resources, including Cataloging of Cultural Objects (CCO) and Categories for the Descriptions of Works of Art (CDWA), as well as authority control practices.

Experience working in a special collections technical services environment.

Demonstrated understanding of museum accessioning practices.

Demonstrated understanding of Archival processing and description standards and best practices.

Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively, balance multiple responsibilities, and adjust accordingly to changing priorities, needs, and deadlines.

Demonstrated willingness to learn new technologies and data/metadata formats.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with data cleanup and transformation tools such as OpenRefine.

Experience documenting workflows and policies.

Experience hiring, training, and mentoring students.

Knowledge of linked data principles and other emerging non-traditional cataloging standards and schemas within the cataloging of cultural objects domain.

Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to effectively work with curators, conservators, catalogers, librarians, and researchers.

High level of initiative and self-motivation.

Demonstrated commitment to the RBMS Code of Ethics

Salary Range

$60,000

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Use of manual dexterity, climbing of stairs, and lifting and moving.

Work Shift

40 hours per week to be completed M-F during business hours. Occasional Saturdays for reference shifts may be asked.

Required Materials

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisorLetter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

----

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

----

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

----

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

----

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

----

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

----

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

----

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

----

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.