Acquisitions Assistant (Part-Time)

JOB TITLE: Acquisitions Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Acquisitions Department

SUPERVISES: None

REPORTS TO: Acquisitions Department Head

FTE/FLSA/Hours: Part-time, non-exempt, 20 hours per week

SALARY RANGE: $18-22/hour

LOCATION: Worcester, Massachusetts

TERM: Permanent

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Applications accepted on rolling basis through February 10, 2023

START DATE: As soon as possible

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

The American Antiquarian Society, founded in 1812, is a learned society and national research library dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to the printed record of the United States through 1900. The Society’s collections are used by scholars, students, creative and performing artists, writers, and researchers in many fields studying and working with American history and culture. The Society is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the institution, as expressed in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility: a statement from the Council and Staff of the American Antiquarian Society.

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the head of acquisitions, the assistant will perform a variety of duties in support of the activities of the acquisitions department, of which the primary focus is processing newly acquired materials by gift or purchase.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following list of essential job functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Manage the receipt and withdrawal of Government Documents.
• Create brief bibliographic description according to local standards using cataloging software. Primary focus on manuscripts and graphic arts materials with secondary work on monographs. Training in standards and software will be provided.
• Create purchase orders and invoices using acquisitions software.
• Receive and sort incoming mail and package unwanted materials for return.
• Physically mark as appropriate newly acquired items that are being added to the collection.

SUPPORTIVE FUNCTIONS:

The following list of supportive job functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Cross-train with other members in the acquisitions in order for the department to function in the absence of any staff.
• Communicate with staff, vendors, and donors.
• Ability to operate standard office machinery.

TRAVEL: Occasional travel to attend conferences and/or workshops.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY REQUIRED:

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Strong editing skills and a very high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Comprehension of basic math.
• Basic computer literacy, ability to navigate search engines and utilize Microsoft applications.
• Experience working in a library or acquisitions environment preferred.

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Associates Degree

CERTIFICATES/ LICENSES REQUIRED: None

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Strong speaking, writing and editorial skills in English.
• Reading knowledge of at least one Western European language preferred.
• Familiarity with character sets such Roman numerals.
• Ability to read cursive and 18^th-20^th century handwriting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Duties require periods of standing, walking, sitting. Duties require occasional periods of climbing or balancing, pulling/pushing items including book trucks with materials, lifting/carrying items weighing up to approximately 30 lbs., reaching with arms and hands. Vision and hearing at or correctable to “normal ranges.” Other physical tasks include use of hands for basic grasping/manipulation, use of hands for fine manipulation, occasional reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, keyboarding. Physical duties are subject to change. Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, workshops, etc.

Applicants, as well as position incumbents, who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Most duties are performed indoors in an office environment with artificial light and cool, thermostatically controlled temperatures. The noise level is low. May be exposed to dust, mold, and/or other organic material or other irritants. Hazards are considered minor and controllable.