Photograph Collections Assistant

ABOUT US

The Oregon Historical Society is dedicated to making Oregon’s long, rich history visible and accessible to all. For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

The OHS Research Library is committed to providing broad access to its collections for teaching, learning, and research, both onsite in our newly renovated downtown Portland library and online through robust digital collections and digital history websites. The library holds the largest collection of archival and published materials relating to the history of Oregon, including the historical regions of the Oregon Country and the Oregon Territory. Our collections serve as a foundation for scholars, teachers, students, and the general public to research and reflect on our state and regional history. The resources and staff of the OHS Research Library play a significant role in fulfilling OHS’s mission to “preserve our state's history and make it accessible to everyone in ways that advance knowledge and inspire curiosity about all the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon.”

The Oregon Historical Society practices and promotes inclusiveness. We honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community and are committed to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates.

BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health insurance (medical, vision, alternative care, prescription)
• Dental insurance
• Generous paid time off
• 4% matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible spending accounts
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Museum admission and lectures, programs and gift shop discounts

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit the following materials at: Oregon Historical Society - Job Opportunities (paylocity.com)

• Cover letter addressing how your personal and professional experiences have prepared you for this position
• Resume

SUMMARY

The Photograph Collections Assistant works closely with the Photographs Librarian to assist with processing, cataloging, surveying, and maintenance of the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) research library’s photographic collections.

This temporary (estimated 10-month-long), part-time (30 hours/week) position is a part of the OHS collective bargaining unit, ILWU Local 5.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Arranges, describes, catalogs, and preserves the Research Library's photograph collections in all formats in accordance with established archival and library procedures and best practices.

2. Assists with physical shifting and space management of the photograph collections and relevant storage areas.

3. Assists with ongoing surveying of the Research Library’s photograph collections.

JOB DUTIES

• Creates original archival description and metadata for photographic materials.
• Rehouses archival materials.
• Physically surveys photographic collections to assess topical content, current condition, and future collection processing needs.
• Creates occasional promotional materials to highlight photograph collections including blog and social media posts, and content for member emails.
• Reports progress and statistics to the Photographs Librarian and others on a monthly and as-needed basis.
• Guided by OHS’s mission in daily work, and aspires to enact the Society’s values of integrity, invitation, equity and inclusion, cultural humility, accessibility, and learning. Adheres to OHS policies and professional standards of the American Library Association and Society of American Archivists.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with coworkers, visitors, and volunteers and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations could be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or equivalent in history or related subject from a four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least 1 year of experience working in a research library or archival setting. Progress toward a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or related field strongly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of archival description and metadata standards.
• Proficiency with managing data in spreadsheets.
• Experience with data entry.
• Tolerance for repetitive tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with processing, describing, digitizing, and preserving photographs in archival collections.
• Familiarity with professional archival and special collections library procedures, including collections handling, preservation, and security.
• Familiarity with using ArchivesSpace for archival collection management.
• Knowledge of archival standards and systems including DACS, RDA and Dublin Core.
• Knowledge of historical research methods, especially the use of archives.
• Knowledge of photographic format types.
• Knowledge of Oregon, Pacific Northwest or U.S. history.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and technical procedures. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees or organizations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including specialized database, photo editing, spreadsheet, report writing, project management, graphics, word processing, scheduling software and communication by e-mail. Strong facility with online searching techniques and resources.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical Instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to describe and interpret visual materials.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feet; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds unassisted and climb or balance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to use a loupe to perform assigned tasks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment ls usually quiet. This position occasionally requires the employee to work near moving mechanical parts. May be required to work with potentially hazardous materials such as cellulose nitrate film and/or with historical collections containing dust and mold.

This position will work primarily at the Gresham Support Facility (GSF) but may work at the OHS facility in downtown Portland as assigned. Must be able to work in a confined space shared with other workers and/or volunteers. May be required to work alone in a large warehouse space.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

The OHS has adopted a policy where all employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Employees may request an exception from vaccination because of a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs from the HR Department.