NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.
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Cline Library Special Collections and Archives (SCA) seeks an Assistant Archivist for Indigenous Initiatives and Cultures to lead the collaborative development and management of a repository of cultural and intellectual materials to support learning and understanding of Indigenous Peoples and cultures. The development of this new repository is a key element of Northern Arizona University’s Seven Generations Signature Initiative funded in part by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Initiative advances NAU’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples and its strategic priority of being the nation’s leading university serving them.
The Assistant Archivist will ensure repository content is curated in a culturally respectful and responsive manner, continuing SCA’s notable legacy of collaborative work with regional Native American and Indigenous cultural organizations and communities. A pioneering example is the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials, which began at a 2006 gathering at Cline Library with representatives from 15 Native American, First Nation, and Aboriginal communities and have since been adopted by professional associations and societies.
The repository is anticipated to hold a range of material types and formats including Open Educational Resources (OER), learning objects, archival collections, cultural objects, audio and visual materials, and more. This position will work collaboratively with Research and Instruction Services Librarians, the NAU Office of Native American Initiatives, faculty, and Indigenous culture keepers and communities. The successful candidate will report to the Head of SCA.
- This is an on-site position.
- This position is part of the Special Collections and Archives Unit and is based on the Flagstaff Mountain Campus. Primary work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Responsibilities include:
- Incorporate Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and ways of learning into the curriculum and the overall campus culture.
- Lead the design, implementation, and operation of a repository of Open Educational Resources that will support development of courses within the Indigenous Peoples requirement, a key component of NAU’s new General Studies Program framework.
- Collaborate with faculty and departments, often in partnership with Library subject specialists and archivists, to integrate Open Educational Resources, primary source materials, learning objects, etc., into the curricula, to provide high impact learning experiences for students in the use of primary sources.
- Ensure that Indigenous perspectives and voices are represented in decision-making processes related to Open Educational Resources and that Indigenous knowledge is integrated into the curriculum.
- Nurture and develop productive and supportive relationships with regional Indigenous communities and cultural heritage partners that support mutually agreed upon and beneficial goals of preservation, engagement, and cooperation.
- Partner with faculty and students to raise awareness and use of library and SCA holdings documenting the activities, culture, and history of regional Indigenous communities.
- Collaborate with SCA archivists to identify and manage content documenting Indigenous peoples.
- Actively participate in SCA activities and services, including planning, events, exhibits, student supervision, research services, and other functions and priorities.
- Support the strategic directions of SCA, Cline Library and NAU. Actively participate in achieving organizational priorities. Participate in and contribute positively to library-wide planning and initiatives.
- Pursue professional development and monitor developments in Open Educational Resources, culturally respectful and responsive curation, and other areas related to position responsibilities to ensure the library and the repository remain innovative and responsive to evolving knowledge, systems, and practices.
- ALA-accredited graduate degree from a library and information science program or advanced degree in a related field (archives, records management, museum studies, management of cultural heritage collections, etc.).
Preferred qualifications are not required, and we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these skills.
- Two years' experience post-master’s degree in an academic library, archives, museum, or related field
- Experience working with Native American and Indigenous communities to manage, share, describe, and preserve their digital cultural heritage in culturally relevant, appropriate, and ethically-minded ways
- Experience working with content management systems such as Mukurtu
- Knowledge of and experience applying traditional knowledge (TK) labels and cultural protocols
- Experience and understanding of the intersection of technology and the humanities
- Experience developing curriculum using primary source material as a means of developing research, critical thinking and writing skills
- Knowledge of Open Educational Resources
- Knowledge of the history, culture, and geography of the Colorado Plateau, Southwest, and Indigenous communities of this region
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with a diverse population of colleagues and stakeholders, whether serving as a team leader or member
Northern Arizona University has a student population of 29,569, including approximately 21,000 on its main campus in Flagstaff and the remainder at more than 20 locations statewide and online.
Committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment, NAU has earned a solid reputation as a university with all the features of a large institution but with a personal touch, with a faculty and staff dedicated to each student’s success. All faculty members are expected to promote student learning and help students achieve academic outcomes.
While our emphasis is undergraduate education, we offer a wide range of graduate programs and research. Our institution has carefully integrated on-campus education with distance learning, forming seamless avenues for students to earn degrees.
Flagstaff has a population of about 70,000, rich in cultural diversity. Located at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is 140 miles north of Phoenix at intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.
For information about diversity, access and equity at NAU, see the C
Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.
Budgeted salary for this position is $60,000
This is an Academic Professional (APF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election. More information is available at the NAU HR benefits page.
NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.
This vacancy will be open until filled or closed. Review of applications will begin on July 17, 2023.
Application must include: (1) Completed application; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) cover letter that addresses how your knowledge, skills, and abilities meet minimum and preferred qualifications; and (4) name and contact information for at least three professional references. Save all items as PDF and/or Word documents.
If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the HR website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.
Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
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NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.
