PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Australian National University enjoys the unique position of being Australia’s only national university. The University is responsible for research and education initiatives that set the agenda for the rest of Australia. The ANU Archives is within the Research and Innovation Portfolio. The ANU Archives are a key piece of collection infrastructure for researchers and students.

Position Dimension & Relationships:

The Archivist is responsible for the accessioning, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation and promotion of archival records held by the University Archives, the Noel Butlin Archives Centre, the National AIDS Archive, and the Pacific Research Archives, and for providing a reference service for the University community and the public. The Archivist will have the opportunity to contribute to student learning within the College of Asia and the Pacific and the College of Arts and Social Sciences.

The position reports to the Senior Archivist under the broad direction of the University Archivist and works closely with all members of the ANU Archives and other University staff. This position will appraise and process archival records and, through the reference service, is a point of contact for University staff and students and members of the public seeking access to records or to transfer records.

Role Statement:

Under the broad direction of the Senior Archivist, the Archivist will:

1. Appraise, accession, arrange, describe, and process records in all formats to established local and international standards for archival management and in accordance with collecting policies, and undertake related professional tasks including research and public programs.
2. Provide high level client service including responding to requests for access to collection material following procedures and legal agreements, university policies and relevant legislation including the Archives Act, Privacy Act and the Copyright Act.
3. Assist researchers to find relevant records through developing finding aids including subject guides.
4. Negotiate donation and transfer of archives to the ANU that adhere to the ANU Archives’ collecting policies.
5. Contribute to the development of policies and procedures for the management of born-digital and digitised archival records.
6. Negotiate with and provide advice to depositors on recordkeeping practices including appraisal, disposal, and description and transferring records.

Selection Criteria:

1. Degree in archives management with relevant experience or an equivalent combination of extensive relevant experience and education/training.
2. Demonstrated experience in applying archival legislation, standards, principles and practices relating to appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation, disposal, digital technologies, access and public programs of archives in all formats.
3. Experience in making collection material accessible through digitisation, finding aids including subject guides.
4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to consult, negotiate and liaise effectively with a diverse range of people.
5. Proven ability to consistently display high quality customer service principles, practices and attributes and the ability to respond and adjust to changing work demands and circumstances, including a capacity to work effectively with demanding deadlines.
6. Demonstrated ability to work flexibly, independently, and within a small team environment, using initiative and judgement.
7. A demonstrated understanding of equal opportunity principles and policies and a commitment to their application in a university context.