JOB TITLE:Reference Technician

OPEN TO:This job is open to current MNHS staff.

LOCATION:History Center - 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

COMPENSATION:$19.57 hourly minimum

STATUS & HOURS:Full-time, regular (approximately 2,080 annual hours) position.

BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION:Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173

POSTING DATE:May 6, 2024

DEADLINE DATE:May 20, 2024

TO APPLY:Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.

DESCRIPTION: This position exists to support the work of the Reference unit by providing basic instruction and reference services throughout the Gale Family Library. This position provides paraprofessional reference support by answering research questions and filtering queries to professional unit staff. This position is also responsible for supporting technology and providing research assistance in the Hubbs microfilm room. 

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Support the discovery and use of MNHS collections to library researchers at a paraprofessional level; and 2) Maintain order of the Hubbs microfilm room.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Two years experience in a library or related setting.

• Understanding of how library catalogs, databases, finding aids, and other reference tools support researcher needs.

• Understanding of microfilm readers and scanning equipment.

• Demonstrated understanding of MNHS library policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to handle rare and fragile objects with care.

• Well-developed communication and customer service skills.

• Basic knowledge of research procedures.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond productively to unanticipated changes, issues, and assignments.

• Ability to work Tuesday - Saturday, including one evening per week, as scheduled. 

• Ability to work in an environment where the air quality may contain dust or other airborne particles.

• Physical ability to regularly lift, maneuver, and carry objects up to 10 pounds. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Knowledge of digital scanning software.

• Experience conducting primary research in history collections.

• Enrollment in, planned enrollment in, or graduation from an accredited M.L.S. program in library/information science, or other related coursework.

• General understanding of and familiarity with the MNHS collections.

Should you have questions with the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.