GALCIT Archival Processing Intern

California Institute of Technology
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, sick time, tuition reimbursement
United States, California, Pasadena
Dec 06, 2024
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community. Job Summary The Caltech Library is seeking an Archival Processing Intern for a 12-month period, 25 hours per week. The weekly work schedule can be flexible but should preferably be Monday to Thursday. The position will be onsite at Caltech in Pasadena, CA. The Archival Processing Intern will primarily assist with surveying, arranging, and describing physical and digital records held at the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT), Division of Engineering and Applied Science. No formal background in Aerospace Engineering or history of technology is required, but some familiarity and interest may be helpful. The Intern will spend 20 hours a week doing this work. The duties of the Archival Processing Intern will also include 5 hours a week assisting with archival reference work and related tasks, as part of the shared responsibility of the Archives team in providing reference services and assisting researchers visiting the Archives. The Archival Processing Intern will function as a member of the Caltech Archives and Special Collections Department within the Caltech Library and will report to the Senior Collections and Special Projects Archivist. The mission of Caltech Archives and Special Collections is to facilitate understanding of Caltech's role in the history of science and technology and of the research and lives of its community. The Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology (GALCIT), was a research institute created in 1926, at first specializing in aeronautics research. In 1930, Hungarian scientist Theodore von Karman accepted the directorship of the lab and emigrated to the United States. Under his leadership, work on rockets began there in 1936. In 1961 the name changed to Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories at the California Institute of Technology. In 2006 GALCIT was once again renamed, taking on the new and current name of Graduate Aerospace Laboratories of the California Institute of Technology (while continuing to maintain the acronym GALCIT) in order to reflect its vigorous re-engagement with space engineering and with JPL. Essential Job Duties The GALCIT collection consists of numerous container boxes of papers and multimedia. It also includes many drawings and sketches. With training, guidance, and supervision from the Senior Collections and Special Projects Archivist, the Archival Processing Intern will: Arrange, describe, and rehouse materials in the GALCIT collection. Perform basic preservation measures for paper material. Produce a new finding aid for the GALCIT records using Describing Archives: A Content Standard as a standard and ArchivesSpace as collection management software. Answer reference requests, support, and assist researchers. Basic Qualifications Currently enrolled in or graduate from a graduate program in library and information science, archival studies, museum studies, history, or public history. Knowledge of archival standards and best practices for arrangement and description, appraisal, preservation, metadata, and reference services. Work Environment This position requires working onsite at Caltech in GALCIT facilities. A semi-private office will be provided. Physical Requirements Ability to perform desk-based computer tasks for extended periods of time (either sitting or standing; a convertible desk will be provided). Required Documents Resume Cover Letter. Please include in your cover letter any courses you have taken related to archives (including the topics of arrangement and description, appraisal, metadata, preservation, digitization) or any relevant experience. Caltech Library EDBI Value Statement We recognize that equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging are core to the mission of the Caltech Library. Equity goes beyond equality and means fair and impartial access to our collections and services for the entire Caltech community. Diversity means all of the various ways the members of our community are unique; it includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and national origin. Inclusion means embracing all members of our community as part of a greater whole. Belonging means full acceptance of the members of our community and celebrating them for the richness their experiences bring to our collective work. These values are the primary guiding principle in our work, and they are both individual responsibilities and institutional imperatives. Hiring Range $21.50 - $25.75 Per Hour The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks. EEO Statement We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf. Disability Accommodations If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.