Original Posting Date 30-May-2014
STARS Requisition number 25530BR
Department Lib Fortunoff Video Arch
University Job Title Librarian, Department Head
Posting Position Title Director, Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies (Librarian 3-5)
Position Focus: The Fortunoff Video Archive (FVA) is a collection of 4,500 video testimonies and related ephemera of Holocaust witnesses. Reporting to the Director of Manuscripts and Archives (MSSA) in the Yale University Library (YUL), and in collaboration with MSSA and other YUL staff, the FVA Director is responsible for establishing a vision for FVA and setting priorities for the administration of the collection and incorporation of the collection into teaching and research at Yale and beyond.
Administrative responsibilities include analysis, planning, and evaluation of programs, policies, and procedures; budgeting and financial oversight; management of rights and related legal issues; and development and managements of grant-funded and other special projects. The Director establishes programs and policies to ensure the long-term preservation of the collection; hires and manages appropriate staff; creates and oversees the website and other promotional material; communicates with national and international affiliated projects; works with donors, Yale’s development offices, and Yale’s office of grants and contracts to seek financial support when needed; and directs recording of testimonies at Yale. Working in a complex university library environment in collegial fashion, the Director contributes to the development and achievement of the goals and objectives of both MSSA and YUL.
To support teaching and research, the Director responds to phone and email reference inquiries and works individually with in-person researchers. Building on existing programs, s/he engages in inventive outreach across the Yale community, using technology when appropriate, and develops strong relationships with faculty to promote integration of testimonies into their courses and research. The Director teaches classes, conducts instructional and other user training programs, and creates edited programs for use in outreach and teaching.
The Director plays an active role in local, national, and international professional and scholarly communities. S/he will maintain and enhance the reputation of the FVA as a leader in the preservation of Holocaust testimonies and their use in teaching and scholarship.
Review of applications will begin immediately. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Provides leadership and vision for the department.
2. Sets priorities and leads multiple projects while meeting deadlines and budget targets.
3. Manages staff including hiring, setting priorities, and staff development.
4. Manages department budget, including funds for collection development.
5. Engages with faculty and students in support of the University’s teaching and research mission.
6. Collaborates with other librarians and libraries at Yale.
7. Builds strong partnerships with faculty and students, curators and librarians, and donors.
8. Promotes the use of current and emerging technologies.
9. Works independently with varied user groups in a complex organization and functions collaboratively in a team environment.
10. Collaborates with library staff engaged in development efforts.
11. Serves on Library and University committees.
12. Participates in professional activities outside of Yale and monitors developments and best practices elsewhere to encourage innovation and ensure the excellence of the Library.
13. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. May be assigned to work at any Yale University location.
14. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
1. Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library school or equivalent accredited degree. In selected instances, a post graduate degree in museum studies or a related discipline may be substituted for a master’s degree in library science.
2. Strong commitment to collection building and to innovative public service programs.
3. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communications and analytical ability.
4. Demonstrated excellent customer service skills, flexibility and a strong commitment to innovation, creativity and excellence.
5. Demonstrated problem solving skills, experience coordinating projects, and the ability to bring projects to fruition.
6. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and independently with various groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing team environment.
Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments (see range assigned to this description as noted in the posting position title). Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html.
Required Skill/Ability 1: Knowledge of the history of and current trends in scholarly research related to the study of the Holocaust.
Required Skill/Ability 2: Knowledge of program/project management, including budget and financial oversight.
Required Skill/Ability 3: Reading and speaking fluency in at least one of the following languages in addition to English: Hebrew, French, German.
Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:
1. PhD. in humanities or social sciences related to Holocaust studies.
2. Knowledge of or experience in intellectual access and control programs and video technology/preservation.
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