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Oral Historian

University of North Carolina Charlotte
United States, North Carolina, Charlotte
Jan 25, 2025
Oral Historian
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Salary range for this position: $66,000
The following Application Materials must be attached to your electronic submission:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume/CV
  • Names (including titles and company/institutions), addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 professional references.
The Search Committee will not contact references before verifying permission with the candidate.
The review of applications will begin February 15, 2025. Anticipated start date is April 2025. Applicants with degrees in Public History or other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.
The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to a criminal background check.
Please see this guide for information about accessibility at UNCC and Atkins Library:
https://guides.library.uncc.edu/AccessibilityforJobCandidatesandVisitorsAtkins
For additional information about The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, please see the following informational resources:
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte website: http://www.charlotte.edu
  • Atkins Library website: http://library.charlotte.edu
  • Benefits information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits
  • Full accessibility information: http://library.charlotte.edu/visit-study/accessibility
Position Information
General Information


Position Number 008732
Working Title Oral Historian
Classification Title Librarian
College Library (Adm)
Department Library Spec Coll & Univ Archives
Position Designation Faculty
Employment Type Permanent - Full-time
Months per year 12
Primary Purpose of Department
Special Collections and University Archives advances scholarship, research, and teaching at UNC Charlotte by building, preserving, and providing access to collections of unique and distinctive value. We work collaboratively with diverse internal and external constituencies to document, preserve, and share the history and culture of the University and the Charlotte region for UNC Charlotte affiliates and for members of the broader community.
Vacancy Open to All Candidates
Description of Work

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the job responsibilities and essential functions for library faculty should be interpreted in the context of the Library's strategic plan.

Library faculty engage in service to the University, community, and profession. We create physical and digital environments that encourage learning and innovation, build and preserve collections, support research, and advance scholarship. We provide access to and promote the discovery of information. We help our communities become proficient information users and lifelong learners. Library faculty serve current and future UNC Charlotte students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Greater Charlotte and global community by sustaining the intellectual and creative life, and facilitating lifelong learning, discovery, and engagement.

Library faculty are expected to collaborate within the Library and beyond in the performance of professional duties that may include, but are not limited to: selecting, organizing, preserving, and facilitating access to materials; supporting teaching, learning, and research; providing outreach to the campus and community; and developing and maintaining digital and technological innovations.

Library faculty participate in scholarly research, creative endeavors, and professional activities to serve the Library, the University, and the information professions. Library faculty are strongly encouraged to pursue external funding for library-related initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This position is responsible for planning and conducting oral history project activities, and
managing oral history recordings deposited in J. Murrey Atkins Special Collections and
University Archives. These activities include identifying potential interviewees, conducting
interviews, creating descriptive metadata using professional standards, training campus
partners and community members in oral history interview procedures, and managing interview
data. This position works closely with archivists within the Special Collections and University
Archives unit for oral history project planning, instruction, outreach, description, and digital
preservation. This position also provides reference public services for the department.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
* Leads efforts to conduct outreach and coordinate oral history projects on topics relating
to the university and the Charlotte region
* Coordinates oral history project logistics including conducting background research,
scheduling interviews, securing equipment, and preparing interviewees
* Conducts oral history interviews in accordance with Oral History Association best
practices
* Ensures accurate documentation of interviews, including summaries, descriptive
metadata, and transcripts (where appropriate)
* Collaborates with colleagues on community engagement, instruction, and outreach
efforts
* Collaborates with colleagues on developing policies, procedures, and workflows related
to the arrangement, description, and preservation of oral history recordings and related
materials
* Develops relationships with University and community partners, organizations, and other
potential interviewees
* Carries out arrangement, description, and preservation activities for oral history
interviews
* Trains community and campus partners in oral history interview procedures
* May supervise student workers and interns
* Participates in providing reference services
* Engages in professional service and scholarship
* Participates in library and university faculty governance
* Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Experience/Education

The minimum academic credential required for applicants for faculty positions in Atkins Library is completion of a master's degree in the field of library and information science from a program accredited by the American Library Association by time of application.

Graduation with master's degree in a specialized area directly relevant to the position description may be an acceptable substitute in certain situations if approved by the Dean. A second masters in another discipline or an earned doctorate is highly desirable.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience
*Minimum of two years of experience working with and conducting oral histories
(including internships, student and volunteer work, community archives, etc.)
* Demonstrated experience with oral history programs, historical research, interview
techniques, and audiovisual equipment
* Familiarity with the history and culture of Charlotte, the Carolinas, or the American South
* Knowledge of archival principles, metadata standards, and digital preservation practices
related to managing oral history recordings
* Demonstrated experience teaching or training others to conduct oral histories
* Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
* Knowledge of ethical practices in oral history, including informed consent and
confidentiality
* Excellent written, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills, with a
demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse community setting
* Demonstrated ability to work with others on the formation of policies, procedures, and
long-range plans
* Proficiency in relevant software applications for audio editing, digital asset management,
and archival databases
* Commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect and inclusion
* Project management experience
* Participation in relevant professional organizations.
Necessary Licenses/Certifications
The minimum academic credential required for applicants for faculty positions in Atkins Library
is completion of a master's degree in the field of library and information science from a program
accredited by the American Library Association by time of application.

Graduation with a master's degree in a specialized area directly relevant to the position
description may be an acceptable substitute in certain situations if approved by the Dean. A
second master's degree in another discipline or an earned doctorate is highly desirable.
Special Notes to Applicants
Salary range for this position: $66,000
The following Application Materials must be attached to your electronic submission:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume/CV
  • Names (including titles and company/institutions), addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 professional references.


The Search Committee will not contact references before verifying permission with the candidate.
The review of applications will begin February 15, 2025. Anticipated start date is April 2025. Applicants with degrees in Public History or other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.
The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to a criminal background check.
Please see this guide for information about accessibility at UNCC and Atkins Library:
https://guides.library.uncc.edu/AccessibilityforJobCandidatesandVisitorsAtkins
For additional information about The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, please see the following informational resources:

  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte website: http://www.charlotte.edu
  • Atkins Library website: http://library.charlotte.edu
  • Benefits information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits
  • Full accessibility information: http://library.charlotte.edu/visit-study/accessibility

Job Open Date 01/23/2025
Job Close Date 02/14/2025
Open Until Filled No
Date Review of Applications will Begin 02/15/2025
Proposed Hire Date 04/01/2025
If time-limited, please indicate appointment end date
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please contact Adreonna Bennett at asimmo74@charlotte.edu

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).




  1. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

    • UNC Charlotte Website
    • HERC Job Board
    • Inside Higher Education
    • Circa (formerly known as Local JobNetwork)
    • Another Website
    • Agency Referral
    • Advertisement/Publication
    • Personal Referral
    • Other



  2. Where did you learn about this posting?

    (Open Ended Question)




Applicant Documents
Required Documents

  1. Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
  2. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
  3. Contact Information for References


Optional Documents

Applied = 0

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