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3 Reference Archivist Positions available at Henry Ford Museum



Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, in Dearborn Michigan, is soliciting
applications for several archival positions to be housed in the new Benson
Ford Research Center (opening March 2002--see two preceding messages for
additional position descriptions).  The Museum is a non-profit educational
institution independent of the Ford Motor Company.  However, these
positions have been created in partnership with Ford, and are focused
principally on processing and servicing the several thousand cubic feet of
Ford historical corporate records donated to the Museum since 1964.
Applications (cover letter, resume, and 3 references) should be sent to

Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
Workforce Development
20900 Oakwood Boulevard
P.O. Box 1970
Dearborn, MI 48121-1970

Questions about the positions can be directed to

Mark A. Greene
Head of Research Center Programs
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
PO Box 1970
Dearborn, MI  48121-1970
313/982-6075
markgr@mnhs.org

Applications must be received by 11 January 2002.  All positions carry the
proverbial competitive salary and benefits.  The Museum seeks to fill three
(3) Reference Archivist positions.

TITLE:  Reference Archivist
TEAM:  Research Center Programs, Public Services
UNIT:   Historical Resources
DATE:   July 23, 2001

SUMMARY OF PURPOSE:
The Research Center of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village owns and
administers 10,000 cubic feet of the pre-1970s corporate records of the
Ford Motor Company.  Under the terms of a unique collaborative agreement
with the Company, basic reference service for Ford Motor Company business
inquiries have become the responsibility of the Museum?s Research Center.
The Reference Archivist will be responsible for performing research in
primary and secondary sources to respond quickly and accurately to
reference requests from Ford Motor Company, its agencies, vendors, and
others working for the Company, conducting Company business.  The Reference
Archivist will also be expected, when time permits, to assist the
Processing Archivists in processing record groups and series of the Ford
Motor Company Historic Records. Maintains high level of expertise and
participates in appropriate professional organizations. Works as a member
of or in cooperation with a variety of teams to accomplish the
institution?s mission and goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Research:
1. Provides in-depth reference services, under terms of formal
collaborative agreement, in partnership with the Ford Motor Company
Archives.
 Quickly and accurately assesses research requests, and clarifies requests
when appropriate.
 Understands and can effectively work within system of prioritization and
time limitations on research requests.
 Chooses wisely and efficiently among a wide variety of published and
unpublished sources to provide appropriate answers to research questions.
2. Works with staff of Ford Motor Company and with other Museum staff to
create post-processing aids to assist with research on popular topics
and/or into records series of particular complexity.

Reference:
3. Works with other staff in providing assistance to on- and off-site users
of the Museum?s Research Center collections.
4. Provides both traditional and electronic reference services to a broad
public.
5. Assists with user's education and outreach activities including
preparation of exhibits and providing orientation for students, visitors,
and other patrons.

Arrangement and description:
6. Arranges large and complex archival and photographic record groups (and
manuscript collections) and series, primarily at the folder level.
 Completes workplan assignments on schedule.
 Contributes to establishing, and is able to follow departmental
procedures and practices.
 Knows and applies relevant professional standards and guidelines.
 Organization of materials is clear and reflects an understanding of the
collection
7. Employs standard collection holdings maintenance methods in processing,
handling, and care of archival, photographic, and library materials.
 Performs subject and name cataloging.
 Ensures that information in catalog records is accurate.
 Ensures that catalog text notes are as brief as possible, while conveying
essential information.
 Ensures that finding aid lists and narratives are accurate and complete.
 Ensures that lists and narratives each contain an appropriate level of
detail.
 Ensures that information in lists and narratives is presented clearly
8. Describes archival, photographic, and collections of library materials,
including preparation of finding aids, encoding finding aids using Encoded
Archival Description, preparing USMARC catalog records (generally following
AACR2), creating bibliographies and indexes, and other descriptive
information as assigned.
9. Creates item-level records for scanned images from visual collections
for on-line database.
10. Acts as team player and provides expertise within team and other teams
as appropriate.
11.  Related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Graduate degree in archival studies; or ALA-accredited MLS or master's
degree in history (or other relevant subject) with formal coursework or
training in archival management and theory. Experience providing intensive
reference service in a research, academic, or corporate library or
archives. Current knowledge of library/archives information retrieval
practices and procedures, especially in the areas of manual and on-line
information retrieval, reference sources and services, and electronic
access to information.  Understanding of diverse research methodologies.
Familiar with reference interview techniques.  Commitment to customer
service.  Experience with institutional or corporate records. Experience
cataloging archival collections in MARC, following AACR2.  Must be
proficient with Microsoft Word and familiar with Microsoft Access (or
similar products). Must communicate effectively with staff and researchers
orally, one-to-one and in groups; must write clearly, concisely, and
accurately.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with a diverse clientele.  Must be able to handle sensitive
research requests and maintain confidentiality.  Self starter and self-
directed, but able to work in a team environment.  Able to handle multiple
assignments concurrently, with aplomb.  Candidates should know archival
theories and their practical application for large and small collections,
including an understanding of accepted protocols for arrangement,
description, cataloging, and preservation of archival materials. Excellent
oral and written communication skills.  Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to set and continually readjust priorities.

***********************************

Mark A. Greene
Head of Research Center Programs
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village
PO Box 1970
Dearborn, MI  48121-1970
313/982-6075
markgr@hfmgv.org

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