Library Associate: Forest History Society

Oral History; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Generous PTO

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Forest History Society in Durham, North Carolina seeks a Library Associate to support the Forests of the Last 50 Years Project, a 2–3 year grant-funded initiative focused on collecting, preserving, and providing public access to materials documenting forest history from the 1970s through the 2020s.

The role includes collecting archival materials, managing oral histories and transcripts, and providing access via digital platforms and on-site services, with opportunities to contribute to education

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, or equivalent advanced degree.
• Experience with digital collections.
• Strong preference for archival experience and familiarity with digital record management, metadata standards, and digital preservation best practices.
• Experience with video and audio editing.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
• Superior written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Preference for candidates with a background and interest in North American history and/or environmental history.

Responsibilities

• Collect, organize, and preserve archival materials, including born-digital content.
• Manage oral history recordings and transcripts.
• Conduct archival processing and create descriptive metadata.
• Provide access to collections through both digital platforms and on-site services.
• Assist with communications and outreach around library and archival collections.
• Provide support for development efforts and stewardship of project donors.
• Provide reference assistance to researchers.
• Assist with other library and archival duties as assigned.

Skills

Digital collections

Oral history management

Metadata standards

Digital preservation

Video editing

Audio editing

Written communication

Diversity communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

MLS/MIS or equivalent

Tools

Video editing software

Job description

Location: Durham, NC
Employment: Full-time | 2 to 3-year grant-funded (with possibility of continuation)

Position Overview

The Forest History Society is seeking aLibrary Associateto support the Forests of the Last 50 Years Project—an initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing public access to materials documenting the history of forests from the 1970s through the 2020s. Learn more about the project here: https://foresthistory.org/forests50/ .

This 2 to 3-year initiative includes major efforts to secure oral histories and archival documents from key individuals and institutions from the last 50 years of forest history, significantly enhancing FHS’s collections, programming, and visibility to forest and environmental historians as well as the broader public.

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the preservation of contemporary forest history and to work with a dynamic team dedicated to research, education, and storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Collect, organize, and preserve archival materials, including born-digital content.
• Manage oral history recordings and transcripts.
• Conduct archival processing and create descriptive metadata.
• Provide access to collections through both digital platforms and on-site services.
• Assist with communications and outreach around library and archival collections.
• Provide support for development efforts and stewardship of project donors.
• Provide reference assistance to researchers.
• Assist with other library and archival duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, or equivalent advanced degree.
• Experience with digital collections.
• Strong preference for candidates witharchival experienceand familiarity withdigital record management, metadata standards, and digital preservation best practices.
• Experience with video and audio editing.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
• Must possess superior written communication skills and strong attention to detail.
• Preference for candidates with a background and interest in North American history and/or environmental history.

Compensation and Benefits

• Status:Full-time
• Salary: $52,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience
• Health and vision benefits
• Retirement plan with employer contribution after first year of employment
• Generous paid time off
• Flexible and supportive work environment

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by March 23, 2026.