Job Description
Job Description Position Title: Head of Distinctive Collections and Collections Strategy.
Department: Libraries and IT (LITS).
Classification: Exempt.
FTE: 1.0.
Work Schedule: : The standard 40-hour work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; flexible work arrangements can be proposed and are subject to approval by the CIO and HR; occasional evening and weekend hours; travel up to 5% of the work schedule, which includes local (Twin Cities metro area) and national travel; overnight trips average 1-2 trips per year.
Work Location: Hybrid. Remote 1 – 2 days a week. Will work on campus fully for the first three months.
Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000.
Essential Job Duties - Oversee the St. Olaf Archives (Shaw-Olson Center for College History) and Distinctive Collections
- Develop and oversee the annual and long-range plans for the department in consultation with the Archivist and Distinctive Collections Engagement Librarian to curate the collections of original manuscripts, early editions, genealogical works, rare books, photographs, maps, and historical documents.
- Develop long range plans for conservation and preservation of both the physical and digital materials including assessment of the collections, identification of appropriate conservators, and management/monitoring of the storage environment.
- Work with the Head of Acquisitions and Resource Management to oversee the ongoing development of the digital presence of the department which includes the Collective Access archives management system, website, Digital St. Olaf, etc. Work with the Head of Acquisitions and Resource Management to keep the sites updated and refreshed.
- Lead the development of engagement programs including instruction, exhibitions, reference services, outreach, strategic partnerships, etc.
- Lead the collaboration efforts with the Norwegian American Historical Association including the shared spaces, services, and shared staffing responsibilities.
- Set strategy and provide leadership for the ongoing development and management of the St. Olaf College library collection.
- Establish and evaluate collection and access policies, standards, procedures, and goals with a focus on overall operational efficiency and effective patron access and service.
- In consultation with the faculty and Research and Instruction Librarians, build balanced teaching collections that meet curricular and research needs.
- In consultation with academic departments, establish a bi-annual review of subscriptions.
- Manage the operating, capital and gift budgets for the general collection, Archives and Special Collections.
- Develop annual and long-range budgets to meet the strategic priorities.
- Seek outside funding opportunities to support operations, collections, and management of the collections.
- Coordinate donor relations and development activities within Archives and Distinctive Collections.
- Write and manage grant proposals to develop new services and to enhance care of collections.
- Work with the Advancement Division staff to cultivate strong relationships with alumni, friends, and corporations to develop opportunities for gifts.
- Lead the department staff, fostering a team-based, inclusive, collaborative, and creative work environment.
- Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise staff.
- Develop and oversee department policies, procedures and workflows that are consistent with LITS and college policies.
- Develop staff development and training programs to strengthen individual skills while also providing core training in other areas.
- Set policies for the recruiting, training, and supervision of student employees, interns and volunteers.
- Provide local, regional and national leadership.
- Serve on the LITS Leadership Team and the Bridge Consortium Management Team.
- Serve as the college representative at local, regional, and national meetings and events and represent the CIO as requested.
- Work collaboratively and in tandem with peers at Carleton College to ensure that work is not duplicated and that costs are contained or reduced.
- Promote services and represent the libraries and IT, including creating media, planning & working at events, contributing ideas, and helping the Events & Engagement Committee to make the libraries a welcoming place.
- Support, respect, and commit to embracing diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong and inclusive community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received And Exercised - Reports to the Chief Information Officer for Libraries and IT.
- This position supervises staff employees.
Required Qualifications - Education: Master of Library Science (MLIS).
- Experience: 5+ years’ experience leading collection development initiatives or Distinctive/Special Collections or Archives; 5+ years supervisory and leadership experience; budget and project management experience.
Preferred Qualifications - Education: Master of Library Science (MLIS) degree with an archival specialization, a master's in archival studies, or a master's in history with an archival concentration or a specialization in rare books.
- Experience: 7+ years’ experience leading Distinctive/Special Collections or Archives or collection development initiatives; 7+ years supervisory and leadership experience; budget and project management experience, successful grant writing experience.
Prerequisites - Employment in this position is conditioned upon successful completion of a background check which may include: criminal background checks, reference checks, verification of work history, verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, a motor vehicle check, verification of DOT certification, a credit check, employment eligibility verification, and/or a pre-employment physical. Whether a background check is deemed successfully completed will be at the sole discretion of St. Olaf College.Please note, St. Olaf College reserves the right to conduct periodic background checks at its sole discretion.
Disclaimer - This position may require you to report early, stay late or work different shifts depending on staffing levels. It may also require you to perform all essential job functions whenever needed and during campus emergencies when necessary.
- This job description is for general information purposes.It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position.This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.
- Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.
About Us Join Our Community - Work at St. Olaf! Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.
The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to a 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here:
To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.
A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff:
A link to our Community and Belonging page:
A virtual campus tour:
An overview of Northfield:
An overview of the Twin Cities:
For Staff Application Assistance hrstaff@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068
For Faculty Application Assistance facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356
Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.
Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu , (507) 786-3465.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start, Remote work, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, Night shift, Afternoon shift, 2 days per week, 1 day per week,