Employment

Assistant Director of Communications

Rare Book School (RBS), an educational nonprofit affiliated with the University of Virginia, is accepting applications for the role of Assistant Director of Communications. The person in this role will be responsible for helping the Director of Communications & Outreach execute day-to-day communications activities, including developing and implementing effective communications strategies to elevate RBS’s reputation and visibility.

RBS provides cutting-edge, specialized instruction vital for understanding and preserving artifacts central to our cultural heritage. Our organization offers a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative work environment located in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Essential Responsibilities:

Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining the RBS communications plan, editorial calendar, and style/branding guide
Generate and distribute high-quality content about RBS’s wide range of programs, events, and resources, across traditional and digital platforms, for a variety of audiences (e.g., annual reports, advertisements, brochures, website, social media, email newsletters, holiday mailings, student materials, donor outreach)
Coordinate with relevant staff members to advertise RBS courses, scholarships, fellowships, and events, ensuring that the RBS community has the most up-to-date and accurate information
Create, post, and promote engaging video content on multiple platforms, such as YouTube and Instagram
Handle video production tasks, such as livestreaming events
Serve as a point person for freelance photographers and videographers (and others as needed), both prior to and during RBS events
Maintain RBS website and social media, including updating as needed, ensuring consistent branding, and enhancing digital accessibility
Identify and steward relationships with relevant media, organizational partners, &c.; compile and maintain contact lists
Track RBS news alerts and media placements
Analyze the impact of communications efforts by using measurements across multiple channels to inform future strategics
Stay up to date about the latest communications, marketing, and video trends and best practices, including peer analysis
Carry out other communications-related duties as needed

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Bachelor’s degree
Minimum of one or two years of experience in communications, digital marketing, and/or video production
Proven experience with video production and online event coordination, including livestreaming, online event registration, working with freelancers, and editing short- and long-form videos
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into accessible and engaging content
Copyediting experience, and exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
Proficiency in digital marketing tools (such as WordPress, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and graphic design tools (such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat, Canva)
Ability to discern appropriate tone, language, and subject matter to support RBS strategic goals
Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to problem-solve and work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks and deadlines
Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills; a commitment to excellent job performance and to positive team interactions for the best project results possible
Ability to work independently, be proactive, take initiative, adapt to changing circumstances, and see a project through to the end
Willingness to learn new strategies and software, and take on new challenges
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

Close familiarity with one or more of the constituencies from which our students and faculty principally come (e.g., book history and bibliography, special collections librarianship, book arts, antiquarian bookselling, archives, digital humanities, and higher education)
Three or more years of experience in communications, digital marketing, and/or video production
Familiarity with social media management tools (such as HootSuite and Buffer)
Experience with handling video production equipment; expertise in video filming and editing software
Experience with podcast and audio production
Working knowledge of style guides, especially The Chicago Manual of Style

Additional Information:

This is a 40-hour/week, non-exempt, benefited position. The annual salary range is $50,000–55,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; 403b retirement plan, including employer’s matching contribution up to 5% (after one year); long-term disability; flexible work hours; and one free Rare Book School course.
Some local travel and some evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required during specific times of the year. Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license in favorable standing, or the ability to acquire these soon after being hired, are strongly preferred.

Rare Book School is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer as a nonprofit affiliated with the University of Virginia. RBS is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment that embraces a richly diverse representation of human attributes, perspectives, and disciplines. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status, or sexual orientation. We champion an accessible, diverse, and inclusive learning environment and invite candidates to review Rare Book School’s Inclusive Excellence goals (see http://www.rarebookschool.org/inclusive-excellence-plan).

To apply, applicants should submit the following materials to Kim Curtis, Director of Communications & Outreach, at kim.curtis@virginia.edu.

A cover letter discussing your qualifications and your interest in the position and the School
A résumé
Two professional writing samples
Two optional digital marketing samples (video, graphic design, social media, email, &c.)
Email and phone contact information for at least three references

In your cover letter, please address: 1) your competency and experience with regard to the responsibilities and desired qualifications; 2) why you are interested in working for Rare Book School; 3) your efforts to advance the values of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and 4) when you will be available to begin on site in Charlottesville, VA.

Review of applications will begin August 21; applications will remain open until the position is filled.

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Miranker Online Program Manager

Rare Book School (RBS) seeks a motivated, technically savvy, and highly organized full-time Miranker Online Program Manager to assist the Director of Programs & Education in facilitating excellent educational programming with an emphasis on administering the School’s online courses. This position will work collaboratively with other members of the Programs department to maintain and improve upon the successful educational programming at RBS.

The Miranker Online Program manager will be asked to:

manage the logistics relating to online courses, including coordinating with faculty members and with students, and coordinating details such as course descriptions, course workbook materials, pedagogical demonstrations, communicating with guest speakers, &c.
assist with writing and editing course-related documents such as the Information Guides and handbooks;
participate in and guide the development of the instructional design for the online course programming;
grow the online course offerings and help faculty develop new courses;
provide training opportunities for faculty members, students, and staff members (including the seasonal session assistants who staff the online courses) and host events when appropriate
analyze course data and participate in strategic planning for future courses;
assist with course-specific advertising;
assist with tracking course applications through the admissions process;
track budgetary expenses relating to the online courses;
participate in maintaining database records;
manage course logistics relating to select partner institutions for in-person courses (including catering, space reservations, course materials, and hosting on site);
assist with logistics for and hosting of Charlottesville-based courses;
participate in implementing RBS’s diversity, equity, and inclusion plans;
carry out other program-related duties or committee assignments as needed.

Our organization offers a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative work environment located on Central Grounds at the University of Virginia. We provide cutting-edge, specialized instruction vital for understanding and preserving artifacts central to our cultural heritage.

Required qualifications: Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree; the ability to deliver high-quality customer service; excellent attention to detail; comfort and proficiency with technology and software systems for online instruction; strong time-management and organizational skills; steady work ethic; the ability to work well in a team; integrity; strong written and oral communication skills. The position requires increased hours (approximately 50 hours), including weekends, during course sessions as well as some travel to support RBS classes. The successful candidate will work in the RBS office in Charlottesville, Virginia. In-office or on-site work will be required, although we encourage flexibility in work schedules.

Preferred qualifications: Experience with instructional design; a close familiarity with one or more of the constituencies from which our students and faculty principally come (e.g., book history and bibliography, special collections librarianship, book arts, antiquarian bookselling, archives, digital humanities, and higher education); an advanced degree in the humanities or social sciences; non-profit work experience; proficiencies with PC or Mac operating systems, MS Office Suite, InDesign, Acrobat, and Photoshop; database management experience; experience with Salesforce; familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style; and a valid driver’s license.

This is a full-time, year-round, non-exempt, salaried position with benefits. The anticipated salary range is $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits will include one free Rare Book School course per year; health insurance (including dental and vision); long-term disability; and 403b retirement plan, including employer’s matching contribution up to 5% (after one year). Assistance for moving expenses (taxable) may be available.

To apply, applicants should submit the following materials to Laura Perrings, Director of Programs & Education, at laura.perrings@virginia.edu:

A cover letter
A curriculum vitae
The phone numbers and email addresses of at least three references, at least one of whom has served as your supervisor (we will not contact references until the offer stage)

In your cover letter, please address: 1) your competency and experience with regard to the responsibilities and desired qualifications; 2) why you are interested in working for Rare Book School; 3) your efforts to advance the values of diversity and belonging in your professional practice; and 4) when you will be available to begin, either remotely (until able to coordinate a move) or in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Review of applications will begin August 12; applications will remain open until the position is filled.

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Full-Time Curatorial Position

Rare Book School (RBS) seeks a dynamic and collaborative individual with experience caring for rare books and cultural heritage materials to serve as curator of its hands-on teaching collection of 100,000-plus items. Located in new, purpose-built quarters in the University of Virginia’s Shannon Library, RBS offers a close-knit, highly collaborative, mission-centered work environment. RBS’s curator will work with RBS’s collections team to steward and augment RBS’s celebrated holdings, which span six millennia, multiple formats, and diverse cultures. Through exhibitions and outreach, RBS’s curator will educate and inspire audiences by demonstrating how books as physical objects—as well as text and illustration technologies over the longue durée—illuminate history. The curator will also be responsible for managing collections requests made by RBS faculty. Working closely both with RBS faculty and the Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives, the curator will build on the School’s existing strengths and Inclusive Excellence goals, continuing to diversify its hands-on teaching collection. The curator will also be responsible for managing collection use in RBS courses. The successful candidate will thrive as a participant in RBS’s programmatic activities, moving easily from exhibition research to engagement with RBS staff, faculty, and diverse communities.

As described below, the curator’s duties, title, and salary will be based on the successful candidate’s level of experience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning April 29. The position reports to the Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives.

Primary duties:

Serve as a public-facing presence for Rare Book School, its collections, and its exhibitions program;
With the Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives, help manage RBS’s exhibitions program, which is centered in a new, prominent 20-case gallery in Shannon Library. Applicants hired at the associate or full curator level will be encouraged to propose solo or jointly curated shows within the program’s scope, and to contribute to grant-writing efforts;
With the Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives, and in consultation with RBS faculty and stakeholders, select materials for the School’s teaching collection. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with the director to form and maintain relationships with the book trade, including attendance at book fairs. Applicants hired at the full curator level will manage a portion of the budget;
Liaise with RBS faculty members regarding RBS collections usage for RBS courses;
Liaise with staff members of UVA’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library to plan RBS faculty visits to Special Collections;
Work with the RBS collections team to research and describe the collections, with an eye to discoverability and to making visible materials within the collection that were created and/or owned by individuals underrepresented in the book-historical record, including, but not limited to: women; BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and working-class communities; immigrants and migrants; and global communities of the book beyond the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Work with the collections and communications teams on collections outreach, and contribute to social media posts;
Work with the collections team on collection preservation and maintenance strategies;
Work with the collections team to maintain and improve RBS’s internal online collections catalogue, Silva, and related finding aids; and
Help manage part-time collections staff and summer session assistants in Charlottesville.

More experienced candidates will provide support for projects undertaken by the Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives, ranging from securing loans and insurance for collections to generating publications and grant-related research. Development work will vary depending on experience. An associate curator would receive and acknowledge gifts, assist with donor relations and grant writing, and take part in senior staff meetings. A full curator would engage more directly in fundraising, grant writing, and donor visits, and would serve as department head when the director is on leave.

Entry-level qualifications

An ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science; or an advanced degree in the humanities or social sciences, with two years of experience working in a field involving rare books, such as the book trade;
Superior verbal and written communication skills;
A solid track record of working with teams in collaborative, fast-paced professional settings;
Comfort interacting in large groups and in professional and social settings;
An understanding of current best practices in rare materials collections management and bibliographical description, including ethical approaches to cataloging and stewarding cultural heritage materials;
Reading knowledge of at least one language in addition to English (e.g., Chinese, Latin, French, or Spanish);
Evidence of advancing multicultural collections initiatives/building inclusive collections;
Experience working with both Macintosh and Windows operating systems, and applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Adobe Photoshop. Experience working with Trello, CollectiveAccess, Omeka, and Microsoft Teams desired, but not required; and
A valid driver’s license and ability to operate an automobile.

Qualifications for advanced position of associate or full curator

Associate curator. Requirements listed above, plus:

Two masters’ degrees (preferably including an M.L.I.S.) or a doctoral degree or one master’s degree with equivalent experience in a book-related profession (see below);
At least two full years (or four years of part-time employment) in a service-oriented profession that centers cultural heritage communities and professionals, particularly in the area of rare books;
Some experience with making rare book acquisitions;
Experience with curating a large-scale, public-facing exhibition featuring books as physical objects;
A record of publication and public speaking on special collections or cultural heritage materials, or equivalent book trade experience;
Experience managing part-time staff members; and
Reading knowledge of at least two languages in addition to English.

Full curator. Requirements listed above, plus:

Experience managing a budget;
Experience working in, or with, the antiquarian book trade;
Solid track record of peer-reviewed publications and public-facing exhibitions;
Experience teaching with books as objects; and
Experience with development work, which could include receiving and acknowledging gifts, grant writing or management, and meeting with donors.

Rare Book School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status, or sexual orientation.

The starting salary range for this position will be $58,000 to $70,000, depending on the qualifications met above. Benefits include three weeks of vacation plus five personal days (not including holidays), sick leave, health insurance, and contributions toward retirement, as well as departmental professional development funds, annual funding to attend the RBMS conference, and the opportunity to attend one RBS course each year.

This post requires the repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation, manual dexterity, and the ability to climb ladders and lift boxes weighing up to 40 lbs. The RBS workspace is a standard special collections library environment with potential exposure to mold and dust. Saturday and Sunday shifts are typically required during the RBS summer session (June through early August).

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1) A cover letter discussing: a) your interest in RBS; b) the various strengths you could bring to RBS’s collections and staff; c) your professional experience supporting diversity and inclusion in research or programming; d) the skills you hope to cultivate at RBS and the areas in which you hope to grow; and e) the ways in which this position would inform your longer-term professional goals.

2) A C.V., including at least three references.

3) A writing sample of 20–30 pages, double-spaced.

Please send inquiries/electronic copies of materials to the Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives, Barbara Heritage, beh7v@virginia.edu. Review of applications will begin April 29, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.