Careers at American Ancestors

As a member of the Research and Library team and under the direction of the Chief Research Officer, the Collection Services Librarian will support the organization by the acquisition, cataloging, and processing of library materials in all formats. This is a full time, benefits eligible, exempt position located at our headquarters on Newbury Street in Boston. Some of our outstanding benefits are generous paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, employee assistance program, and much more!

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform original and copy cataloging of library materials in all formats using MARC, RDA, OCLC, LCSH/LCCS in accordance with national standards.
• Participate in ongoing database maintenance and authority control.
• Supervise and train volunteers and interns working on tasks related to cataloging.
• Manage the integrated library system (Innovative Interfaces) and participate in maintenance and ongoing improvements to III WebPAC online catalog.
• Keep current with developments in the fields of technical services, cataloging, technology and genealogy.
• Oversee and participate in the timely and efficient processing of all newly cataloged materials to make them shelf ready.
• Oversee collection development, including selection and purchasing of materials.
• Communicates with publishing, database, system, cataloging, authority control and other vendors.
• Check in, process, and maintain periodical collection, claim missing issues, communicate with publishers and vendors, and update recovery holdings as necessary.
• Coordinate book repair work given to Conservator.
• Participate in reference desk coverage as needed. 
• Participate in stacks maintenance activities.

Required Skills

• Master’s degree in library and/or information science from an ALA-accredited institution. 
• 3 or more years of professional experience in technical services. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant cataloging standards (RDA, LCCS, LCSH MARC) and tools (RDA, OCLC ClassWeb.); familiarity with metadata and other linked data standards (XML, Bibframe, etc.) a plus.
• Working knowledge of metadata standards such as Dublin Core, METS, or MODS.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Professional, dependable, flexible, and constructive work ethic.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Previous experience with Innovative Interfaces catalog system.
• Interest or experience in the field of genealogy a plus.
• Ability to assist in shifting collections and to lift up to 40 lb. boxes.

Salary

$60,000 per year

How To Apply

Please send resume and a compelling cover letter by June 24, 2024, to Michelle Major, Director of Human Resources at mmajor@nehgs.org. No phone calls please.

The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (JHC), an archive and educational center whose collections specialize in the Jewish history of Boston and New England, is seeking candidates for a Historian in Residence position in the 2024-2025 academic year. An exciting opportunity for a post doc, scholar at the beginning of their academic career, adjunct faculty member, public historian, or teacher, the Historian in Residence will provide scholarly expertise to the JHC, will conduct research within the JHC’s archives, and will spotlight stories and insights from the collections in articles and talks for the public.

Responsibilities

The Historian in Residence’s responsibilities include research, writing, and presentations using the JHC’s collections. The historian will:

• Design and implement a research project on a topic or theme inspired by the holdings of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (in consultation with JHC staff); and connect and contextualize that topic within American Jewish history by also consulting related holdings at other local or national repositories.
• Write a minimum of two articles based on this research for publication in American Ancestors magazine and contribute occasional blog posts to the JHC and American Ancestors websites.
• Develop at least two lectures based on their research, to be presented online or in person, with the possibility of contributing to other public programs given by the JHC.
• Provide consultation to JHC staff about Jewish history as/when needed.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

• Have at minimum a Master’s degree in history, American Jewish history, or a related field.
• Demonstrate superb writing, research, and presentation skills.
• Have experience with public history and/or interpreting and presenting historical content for a wide variety of audiences.
• Be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the JHC team.

Terms and Stipend

Reporting to the Executive Director, this flexible, funded position begins on or after September 1, 2024, within a mutually agreed-upon schedule. This could entail 15–20 hours a week over the academic year (September 2024 through May 2025), or full-time work over a 4–5 month period. Remote work is possible, but the Historian is expected to spend at least some time each month working onsite with the JHC’s collections. The annual stipend for the academic year is $30,000.

To Apply

Candidates should submit a resume and/or CV; two references; and a statement of interest (no more than 1,000 words) that addresses:

• Your current research interests
• Your experience researching in archival collections
• A research project using JHC collections that you would propose after having reviewed collection information on the JHC website (JewishHeritageCenter.org/archives/collections). (Note: this proposed project is not binding.)
• 3 to 4 JHC collections you might use for this project
• Related collections at local or national archival repositories that you might consult.

Please send the above materials to:

Rachel King, Executive Director
Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
rachel.king@nehgs.org

About the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors

The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (JHC) is a premier center for collecting, preserving, and illuminating Jewish history and heritage. Located at American Ancestors in Boston, the country’s founding genealogical organization, the JHC serves thousands of historians, genealogists, students, and members of the public each year. Its archives focus on the Jewish history of New England and contain more than four million records and more than 700,000 searchable documents in its digital collections. The JHC also offers educational programs about Jewish history, heritage, and culture at its historic Boston home, in the community, and online.

The Historian in Residence position is funded by Richard Schilder and the Schilder Family, in honor of Justin L. Wyner.

American Ancestors seeks a full-time Researcher. Under the direction of Vice President of Research & Library Services and the Manager of Research & Library Services, a Researcher will conduct genealogical and historical research, in written and verbal form. This exciting opportunity is available as a full time, benefits eligible, non-exempt position located at our beautiful headquarters on Newbury Street in Boston.

Some of the outstanding benefits include medical, dental, generous paid time off, paid holidays, Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, FSA, 403(b) retirement plan, and so much more!

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate genealogical and historical research, using knowledge of genealogical skills, techniques, and sources.
• Efficiently conduct research in an allotted hourly time frame
• Assist with in-person reference desk visitation at our Library in Boston
• Contribute to publications including American Ancestors magazine and our blog, Vita Brevis.
• Attend virtual and in-person genealogical conferences (as needed)
• As full-time, assist with in-person reference desk visitation at our Library in Boston. This position is Tuesday-Saturday and must be able to work on-site in Boston at least one day per week.

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in a history-related field.

Qualifications

• Genealogical Training
• 3-4 years of genealogical or historical research experience
• Ability to analyze documents and compile detailed narrative research reports.
• Writing skills
• Computer skills 
• Knowledge of Microsoft and Adobe 
• Customer services experience
• Knowledge of the American Ancestors collection

How To Apply

Please send resume, a genealogical or writing sample, and a compelling cover letter to Michelle Major, Director of Human Resources at mmajor@nehgs.org. No phone calls, please.