Position Posting
Archivist, The Thomas J. and Michele Ridge
Collection Mercyhurst University – Erie, Pennsylvania
Position Description
Mercyhurst University seeks an Archivist to direct the preservation and overall
management of the Thomas J. & Michele Ridge Collection. Housed in the Ridge School
of Intelligence Studies and Information Science, the Ridge Collection holds more than
1.1 million pages of documents, 3,000 audiovisual items, 10,000 photographs, and 1,500
artifacts encompassing the tenure of Thomas J. Ridge as the 43rd governor of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1995-2001). The Collection contains a wealth of
primary source material pertaining to important public policy matters covering Governor
Ridge’s time in office, along with extensive resources pertaining to First Lady Michelle
Ridge’s commitment to and involvement with a number of important issues affecting the
lives of Pennsylvanians.
A full-time, twelve-month position, the Archivist will direct the management of the
Ridge Collection, ultimately ensuring its professional preservation and accessibility to
students, faculty, scholars and the public who wish to expand their knowledge of the
Ridges’ years of public service to the city of Erie, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and the United States. The successful candidate will be responsible for organizing,
processing, cataloging, and preserving the Ridge Collection, using Archivist’s Toolkit or
comparable program. S/he will also create finding aids for the collection, and develop a
strategy for selecting materials for digitization and creating online access to select
portions of the Collection, as well as for exhibition in small on-site exhibition space. It is
our hope that the Archivist will teach one course every other year in Archives/Archival
Management for Mercyhurst’s Public History program and work with faculty in History,
Intelligence Studies and other appropriate departments to develop research/capstone
project, internship, and practicum opportunities for undergraduate students. The Archivist
will report to the director of the Public History program and provide periodic reports on
the progress of archiving the Collection.
Salary $43,000-48,000 depending on experience, plus benefits.
Applicants for the position should send resume, cover letter and references to Dr. Chris J.
Magoc, Chair, Director, Public History, Mercyhurst University, 501 East 38th Street,
Erie, PA 16546. Applications may also be emailed: cmagoc@mercyhurst.edu.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Qualifications
ALA accredited MLS or equivalent advanced degree; experience working in an
archives or special collections department; demonstrated experience processing large or
complex archival or manuscript collections; knowledge of archival principles and
standards; evidence of strong technical and computer skills; familiarity with archival
software such as Archivists Toolkit; knowledge of digital projects and digitization
standards; demonstrated experience with creating access tools to archival collections;
excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work well with others,
including undergraduate students; and ability to lift a 50 pound archival box. Candidates
with an interest in and willingness to teach an undergraduate course in introductory
archives and records management will be given preference.
NOTES:
Additional Information: The position includes a strong benefits package, and will include
by year two at least one graduate assistant and ongoing undergraduate student support.