Employment

Admissions Officer

Rare Book School (RBS) is searching for an organized and detail-oriented full-time Admissions Officer. The primary responsibility of the position is managing the processing of student applications for the School’s intensive short courses relating to the study of manuscript, print, and digital textual objects. The Admissions Officer will report to the Director of Programs & Education and work closely with colleagues to maintain and improve upon the successful educational programming at RBS.

The Admissions Officer will be asked to:

manage incoming applications and outgoing admissions in the School’s database;
communicate regularly with past, current, and prospective students and faculty regarding course enrollment, application processing, and admissions;
transcribe handwritten course evaluations completed by participants and collate with student evaluations submitted online, prepare for publication and organize demographic data;
assist with course-specific advertising;
update, prepare, collate, and prepare printed session materials (name tags, course evaluation forms, certificates, student headshots, &c.);
assist with local Charlottesville course session arrangements relating to student accommodations and benefits;
carry out other Programs-related duties as needed.

Our organization, celebrating its 40th-anniversary year, 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.

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).

Required qualifications: Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree; strong attention to detail; steady work ethic; integrity; strong written and oral communication skills; the ability to perform repetitive tasks for sustained periods of time; ability to work with computers on a daily basis; and the ability to deliver high-quality customer service. The position requires increased hours (50 hours), including weekends, during course sessions as well as some travel to support RBS classes. The successful candidate will work in RBS’s Charlottesville, VA office. In-office or on-site work will be required, although we encourage flexibility in work schedules.

Desired qualifications: Proficiencies with Mac operating systems, the MS Office Suite, and the Adobe Creative Suite. Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style would be beneficial. Experience working with databases at a basic level is preferred.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, benefited, salaried position. Starting salary ranges from $45,000 to $50,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance, annual leave, sick leave, long-term disability, an RBS course each year, and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contributions.

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

1) A cover letter
2) A curriculum vitae
3) 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 November 15; applications will remain open until the position is filled.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Assistant Program Manager

Rare Book School (RBS) provides continuing-education opportunities for students from all disciplines and skill levels to study the history of written, printed, and digital materials with leading scholars and professionals in the field.

RBS is searching for an organized and detail-oriented full-time Assistant Program Manager to aid the Director of Programs & Education in facilitating excellent programming for a field-leading continuing-education organization affiliated with the University of Virginia. In addition to working with the Director of Programs & Education, the Assistant Program Manager will work closely with the other members of the Programs team to maintain and improve upon the successful programming at RBS.

The Assistant Program Manager will be asked to:

manage course logistics relating to select partner institutions (including catering, space reservations, course materials, and hosting on site);
travel to remote partner institutions to oversee course logistics;
support programs logistics for course sessions in Charlottesville (communicating with conference services and students about dormitory housing, setting up classrooms, participant registration, evening receptions, &c.);
communicate regularly with RBS faculty members and applicants as well as individuals who are sponsoring, supporting, or variously related to RBS courses and programs;
assist with leading/teaching demonstrations of various book-related processes and technologies (e.g., relief and intaglio printing, bookbinding, &c.);
produce and distribute informational documentation for students, assist in planning and facilitating online courses;
coordinate travel and housing reservations for faculty members, session staff, and lecturers;
participate in the coordination of outreach events, such as open houses;
design, order, and maintain stock levels of RBS-related merchandise;
assist with tracking course applications through the admissions process;
manage the Certificate of Proficiency program; and
carry out other Programs-related duties as needed.

Required qualifications and terms: Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree; the ability to deliver high-quality customer service; excellent attention to detail; strong time-management and organizational skills; steady work ethic; the ability to work well in a team; integrity; strong written and oral communication skills; and a close familiarity with one or more of the constituencies from which our students and faculty principally come (e.g., book history & bibliography, special collections librarianship, book arts, antiquarian bookselling, archives, digital humanities, and higher education). The position requires increased hours (50 hours), including weekends, during course sessions as well as some travel to support RBS classes. The successful candidate will work in RBS’s Charlottesville, VA office, soon to be relocated to the fully renovated UVA main library. In-office or on-site work will be required, although we encourage flexibility in work schedules.

Preferred qualifications: A degree in the humanities or social sciences; proficiencies with PC or Mac operating systems, MS Office Suite, InDesign, Acrobat, and Photoshop; familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style; and a valid driver’s license.

This is a full-time, year-round, non-exempt, salaried position. Starting salary ranges from $45,000 to $50,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits will include health insurance (including dental and vision); long-term disability; an RBS course each year; and a 403(b) retirement plan, with employer’s matching contribution up to 5% (after one year). Financial assistance with moving expenses (taxable) will be available.

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

Review of applications will begin November 15; applications will remain open until the position is filled.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Communications Assistant

Rare Book School (RBS), an educational nonprofit affiliated with the University of Virginia, is accepting applications for the role of Communications Assistant. The person in this role will be responsible for helping the Director of Communications & Outreach implement RBS’s communications, publicity, and outreach strategies.

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:

Develop and post content to social media; track and evaluate the effectiveness of social media campaigns
Communicate regularly with RBS staff and stakeholders about publicity and other outreach efforts
Design, edit, produce, and distribute print, electronic, and multimedia materials, including (but not limited to) advertisements, brochures, email newsletters, holiday mailings, video and audio recordings, and materials for students
Assist with production and distribution of annual report, including (but not limited to) gathering materials, writing and editing content, and collaborating with RBS staff and external vendors
Help maintain, update, and track analytics for the RBS website
Assist with pre-planning of events and acting as on-site point person for event speakers and special guests
Help coordinate and promote RBS’s presence at national book fairs (Boston, New York City, &c.); develop and implement strategy to integrate new contacts into outreach
Assist with the creation, updating, and consistent use of the RBS style/branding guide and best practices
Track RBS news alerts and media placements
Assist with proper archiving of RBS print and digital materials
Carry out other Communications-related duties as needed

Required Qualifications:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into accessible and engaging content
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to exercise high degree of professionalism when responding to inquiries and feedback from the RBS community
Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks and deadlines; excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to problem-solve and use analytical skills to develop and implement creative solutions
Ability to follow through and see a project to the end (where possible)
Willingness to learn new strategies and software, and take on new challenges
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion

Required Skills:

Minimum of two to three years of experience in a communications, marketing, publicity, or related role at a nonprofit or education-focused environment
Proficient in social media posting and analytics (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Soundcloud); familiarity with additional social media platforms and/or social media management tools (Buffer, HootSuite, HeyOrca, &c.) is a plus
Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite, WordPress, graphic design tools (Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and/or Acrobat; experience with Canva is a plus)
Copyediting experience

Preferred qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree
Close familiarity with one or more of the constituencies from which our students and faculty principally come (e.g., book history & bibliography, special collections librarianship, book arts, antiquarian bookselling, archives, digital humanities, and higher education)
Thorough knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style
Familiarity using iMovie and Mailchimp

Additional Information

This is a 40-hour/week, non-exempt, benefited position. Annual salary ranges from $45,000 to $50,000, depending on experience. (A 32-hour schedule, with a commensurate salary, will be considered.) Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) 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.

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 curriculum vitae or résumé
Two brief professional writing samples (samples taken from social media and/or including graphic design elements are welcome)
Email and phone contact information for at least three references, at least one of whom has served as your supervisor (we will not contact references until the offer stage)

Review of applications will begin November 15; applications will remain open until the position is filled.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Assistant Director of Development

We are accepting applications for the full-time role of Assistant Director of Development to support the School’s comprehensive fundraising operations. Having raised $23M during our recent Bound for the Future capital campaign, RBS endeavors to maintain and improve the success of its fundraising program beyond this campaign. The individual in this role will contribute to that goal by upkeeping all development-related databases, overseeing gift receipting and stewardship programs, and managing other development operations. The Assistant Director of Development will report to the Director of Development.

Responsibilities:

Manages biographical records and data integrity within the RBS database of record (presently Raiser’s Edge); conducts database cleanup and routinely runs database health tools
Responsible for producing reports and imports to database, ensuring on-time completion and identification of existing data gaps
Implements and maintains a data analytics program, including modeling, segmentation, and scoring to grow the prospect pipeline
Liaisons as needed with database administrators and/or hosts
Develops and executes a comprehensive donor stewardship plan that promotes engagement and connection with donors at all levels
Assists in the production and distribution of external communications including gift receipts, donor recognition publications, and pledge reminders
Helps perform research on constituents using various research tools to determine financial capacities, philanthropic interests, and relationships to RBS
Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree
Working knowledge of fundraising work
Experience working with relational and gift databases, specifically Blackbaud products and/or Salesforce
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to problem-solve and use analytical skills to develop and implement creative solutions
Commitment to excellent job performance and teamwork, and the ability to work effectively to meet deadlines
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to relate to people with diverse backgrounds, training, and experience
Some evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required during specific times of the year

This is a full-time, exempt, benefited position. The annual salary ranges from $55,000 to $60,000. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) 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.

To apply, applicants should submit the following materials to Adam Miller, Director of Development, at adam.miller@virginia.edu:

1) A cover letter

2) A résumé

3) 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 preferred 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 November 15; applications will remain open until the position is filled.