Senior Archival Processing & Collection Strategy Lead

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

Penn State University’s Eberly Family Special Collections Library seeks a Lead for Archival Processing and Collection Strategies. This tenure-track position guides the full lifecycle stewardship of rare collections, coordinating accessioning, processing, description, digitization, and long-term preservation.

You’ll lead staff, set policies, and collaborate across units to align with institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science (ALA-accredited) or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading archival processing, arrangement and description, accessioning, and collections management.
• Proven leadership in supervising staff and mentoring teams.
• Knowledge of archival standards and technologies (DACS, EAD, ArchivesSpace).
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Leads collections services for the full cycle of processing, description, digitization coordination, and stewardship.
• Supervises staff, builds a collaborative team culture, and maintains documentation standards.
• Coordinates with Preservation, Conservation, and Digitization to align priorities and workflows.
• Develops processing strategies balancing access, preservation, and staffing resources.
• Advises leadership on space planning, facilities, and long-range collections growth.
• Engages in donor stewardship and contributes to professional service and scholarship.

Skills

Archival processing

Leadership experience

DACS/EAD/ArchivesSpace

Descriptive standards

Communication skills

Education

MLS/M LIS or equivalent

Tools

Aeon

Job description

Penn State University’s Eberly Family Special Collections Library seeks a Lead for Archival Processing and Collection Strategies. This tenure-track position guides the full lifecycle stewardship of rare collections, coordinating accessioning, processing, description, digitization, and long-term preservation.

You’ll lead staff, set policies, and collaborate across units to align with institutional priorities.