Graduate Assistant, US Catholic Special Collection

Overview

Are you looking to work with a dynamic team in support of rare and significant research materials on Catholicism in the United States? As part of the University Libraries, the US Catholic Special Collection (USCSC)  preserves records of the Catholic Church and helps tell the story of Catholic life in the United States through a variety of materials in different languages, formats, and media. The USCSC GA will work in collaboration with University Libraries faculty and staff to engage students, instructors, alumni and the community with the U.S. Catholic Special Collection through the library’s instruction program, tours, displays and more. The collection supports the University’s doctoral program in theology, which offers a distinctive research focus on locating the work of theology in history and culture with attention to the United States. The USCSC Graduate Assistant will primarily be responsible for working with the Religious Collections Librarian/Archivist in areas including metadata for digitized collections, general instruction, research support, and appointments to provide access to the collection. The GA will work for 20 hours per week (typical work schedule falls Monday-Friday between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm). The successful candidate will utilize such skills as attention to detail, strong work ethic, commitment to high performance, and customer service excellence to make a positive impact on people's lives every day. 

Application Timeline

To apply for this position, please send your resume and cover letter addressing the minimum qualifications to uscatholiccollection@udayton.edu Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with priority given to applications received by March 1, 2024.

Responsibilities

The Graduate Assistant position assists with the US Catholic Special Collection’s instruction, material preparation and access, appointments, and research. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Creating and documenting metadata for digitized episodes of a television program within the US Catholic Special Collection (USCSC).
• Holding open hours by appointment to meet with students and researchers, identifying and providing access to materials in the USCSC.
• Working with the general education instruction program in the library, and teaching instruction sessions as part of the general education team after observation and training with faculty librarians. Library instruction for the Religious Studies program may be included.
• Supporting other research and administrative needs within the scope of the USCSC as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Must be in good disciplinary standing in order to be employed as a graduate assistant (see Conditions for Eligibility).
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to speak in front of a group.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational, time management, and follow-up skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in religious studies.
• Previous experience in teaching or tutoring.
• Interest in US Catholicism and/or libraries and archives.
• Experience working independently as well as collaborating in a team environment.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail.
• Experience learning new technology, including databases, software applications, and web-based applications.

Conditions for Eligibility

Academic Standing

Candidates must be enrolled as full-time students in a degree-seeking program to be employed as a graduate assistant.

Graduate assistants are expected to balance their academic workload with the requirements of the assistantship. Failure to remain in good academic standing will result in employment termination.

Candidates may apply for an assistantship even if they have not been accepted into an academic program at the time of application. The application process outlined here is NOT linked with the application process and/or academic entry to graduate/professional education at the University of Dayton. Please submit any needed application materials to the academic program(s) of your choice, according to those separate guidelines, while pursuing the graduate assistantship. An official offer of a graduate assistantship is contingent upon the candidate’s acceptance into an academic program.

Remuneration

• A competitive stipend.
• Tuition remission package, 100% up to 6 credit hours per semester, for no more than 2 consecutive semesters.
• Health Care: Offered enrollment in University of Dayton health care plan as applicable to Graduate Assistants.

Financial Aid

Being employed as a graduate assistant may affect a candidate’s financial aid status.
Candidates are responsible for inquiring with financial aid to determine the degree to which the compensation package will impact their financial situation before acceptance of the assistantship.

As one of the largest employers on campus, we employ up to 60 students each year. Student jobs include processing and digitizing special collections; cataloging, shelving and circulation; data entry; technology support; facilities support; and office work. 

Our student employees develop customer service, time management, leadership, information literacy and collaborative skills. Paid professional development opportunities, facilitated by library faculty and staff, are offered throughout the year. 

Student staff also participate in the Flyers GROW® program, which prompts them to connect their learning to work through reflection in conversation with their supervisors. They are able to articulate what they’ve learned through their library work in relation to their personal development, chosen fields of study, vocations or future job interests.

Open student positions are only posted on Handshake.

We are a founding and participating library of the OhioLINK Luminaries Internship Program, which exposes students to a wide range of work experiences based on the students' interests; pairs students with a mentor to gain valuable knowledge of the libraries and information sciences field; helps students develop marketable skills that are extendable to a variety of career disciplines; and supports our library work environments becoming more inclusive. The application process typically begins in early February.