The Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archive (BFA) is an archival home for Black women and their allies. Founded by Dr. Irma McClaurin, Black feminist anthropologist, academic administrator, award-winning poet and author, past president of Shaw University and leader in higher education, the BFA seeks to identify Black women from all walks of life who are artists, activists, and academics but may not be well known, and document their wide array of contributions at many levels: community, state, national, and global.

The Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archivist will work with colleagues in the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center (SCUA), working with their supervisor and SCUA leadership on collection development, description and access, digitization, public programming, and promotion of collections that document the lives and work of Black women and their allies. The Archivist will be responsible for implementing professional standards in arrangement and description; assisting patrons in learning and research; identifying collections for digitization and ensuring digital content is created according to national and departmental standards; conducting research; overseeing the transfer and accessioning of new collections; and supporting the use of collections in SCUA's reading room. This position is term-limited to two years.

Essential Functions

Process BFA archival collections, support the managing of archival collections, and assist in the preparation and transfer of records to SCUA.

Make recommendations for processing and digitization priorities and prepare progress reports to share with the Head, SCUA.

Catalog manuscripts, photographs, and other materials in a range of archival collections; create finding aids and bibliographic records for collections.

Create descriptive metadata, review existing metadata and enhance legacy records, as necessary.

Use EAD and MODS metadata schemas to describe materials in manuscript collections. Prepare descriptive records that conform to all relevant metadata standards.

Conduct subject analysis for manuscripts, photographs, and other materials; establish local subject headings that supplement, repair, or replace headings in existing controlled vocabularies when terms that are insufficient or inaccurate; research collections in order to provide accurate descriptive information.

Train and supervise the work of departmental student staff to ensure provision of services and adherence to work standards. Provide on-the-job training and orientation as needed.

Work with departmental colleagues to develop best practices and standards in collection management and description and to implement those practices.

Play an active role in SCUA's efforts to acquire new BFA collections; participate in departmental marketing and outreach.

Work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.

Participate in library-wide preservation activities.

Serve on internal library committees as needed.

Other Functions

Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the Libraries and the department.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate degree in librarianship (from a program accredited by the American Library Association) or related field, or combination of an advanced degree in a relevant subject area and experience in libraries, archives, museums, or similar institutions.

Training in areas such as archival management, manuscripts, maps, rare books, and/or special collections librarianship.

Educational background in the humanities or social sciences.

Working knowledge of MARC format; strong knowledge of DACS and other relevant content standards, and strong familiarity with XML, EAD, TEI, MODS, DC, and other metadata standards.

Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster a collegial work environment that encourages change and innovation.

Mastery of interviewing skills and a superior level of efficiency in the use of reference and information sources, particularly primary, archival, rare, and manuscript sources.

Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours as needed.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral skills, including presentation skills.

Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment, including remaining calm under pressure.

Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a positive, constructive, flexible, and cooperative manner.

Ability to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities showing initiative and flexibility.

Strong service ethic and the ability to interact effectively and work productively and collaboratively with a variety of colleagues and levels of staff.

Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.

Strong service orientation and the ability to meet the public graciously and tactfully. Strong customer service attitude and initiative.

Understanding of, appreciation of and experience with the goals of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

One-year professional experience working with archives or manuscript collections.

Demonstrated experiences in donor relations and collection development.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

The regular working schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, day hours.

The incumbent of the position is expected to work on a flexible schedule, which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: Librarian I/Librarian II

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $63,250 and $79,900. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Please note:

The low-end of the pay range in all faculty/librarian searches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA.

The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty/librarian experience

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Review of applications will begin on a rolling basis starting June 19, 2026, and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. The position will close on July 17, 2026. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. 

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.