Archiviste/Archivist
Archives des jésuites au Canada / The Archive of the Jesuits in Canada

Location: Montréal, Québec
Compensation: $47,000 to $54,000 depending on experience and qualification

THE ARCHIVE OF THE JESUITS IN CANADA

The Society of Jesus is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1540 by Saint Ignatius Loyola and his first companions; Jesuits have been present in Canada since 1611, and the history of the Society of Jesus in Canada is intimately connected to the development of both church and civil society in this country. As such, the Archive of the Jesuits in Canada represents a unique patrimony to be carefully protected and shared.

The mission of the Society of Jesus is the greater service of God and neighbour; most recently, the Jesuits have expressed this as a fourfold set of orientations that guide their decision-making and service: to offer a way to God through the heritage of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius; to walk with the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice; to accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future; and to collaborate with others in the care of our Common Home, the earth. The Archive participates in this mission, as an intellectual work of the Society of Jesus in Canada, by opening its doors to researchers and engaging in dialogue with them. The AJC provides an access point to its collections, as well as resources concerning the history of the Jesuits in Canada. It supports the research of members of the Jesuit community, genealogists, academic researchers, Indigenous researchers, artists, students, and others.  

In Canada, the Society of Jesus has a long history of relations with Indigenous peoples, which continues to this day. This history includes both lights and shadows. In 2005, the Jesuits of Canada made an Act of Reconciliation before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, in which they pledged to actively support the renaissance of Indigenous languages and cultures. The Archive play a central role in this commitment by making resources available to Indigenous scholars and communities seeking to bring about this renaissance, and by welcoming and collaborating with scholars investigating the history of colonialism and of the residential school system.

The archival collection holds more than 1.5 km of textual records, more than 500,000 photographs, more than a thousand maps and cartographic material, hundreds of audio-visual records, as well as born-digital records. The Library and Rare Books collection contains more than 37,000 books and other published material, including 1,500 rare books. The Art and Artifacts Collection includes objects and artworks that testify to the range of activities of Jesuits in Canada and abroad.

Description and Duties
    
The primary purpose of the position is to process archival fonds and collections, and other relevant tasks:

• Appraise, identify, and select records in analog or digital format in order to include them in the archival collection;
• Process archival fonds and collections, including the organization and the description of archival records;
• Apply professional standards in the creation of archival finding aids;
• Maintain and develop inventories and databases;
• Ingest archival fonds and collections in databases, platforms, and applications dedicated to collections management and for public
• access;
• Contribute to the development of outreach projects, including physical and digital exhibitions, and other outreach initiatives;
• Participate in collaborative initiatives with other memory institutions and research projects;
• Offer support to the reference unit in doing ad hoc research in archival fonds and collections;
• Offer support to researchers in participating in the development of initiatives dedicated to increase the discoverability of archival
• records;
• Supports the Director in the elaboration of objectives and organizational strategic priorities; including administrative activities and the development of budgets;
• Contributes to the preservation of analog and digital records in participating in the maintenance and the development of archival preservation methods;
• Engage in professional and scholarly activities, via presentations and publications;
• Additional duties as assigned based on individual competencies and interests.
  

Qualifications

• University level education in archives/information studies or a related field with a demonstrated interest in archival theory and
• practice; with preference for candidates with a master's degree in information studies with a specialization in archival studies.
• A minimum of two years professional experience with a focus on the management of historical records and the processing of archival
• fonds and collections.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of collections management tools and the Rules of Archival Description (RAD);
• Demonstrated ability and experience in the use of digital tools and platforms; experience with the Access to Memory (AtoM) platform
• is an asset;
• Ability to communicate information to small and large groups;
• Knowledge of copyright laws and other legislation that concerns the access, the reproduction and the use of archival records;
• Oral and written fluency in French and English required;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team on collaborative initiatives;
• Ability to supervise colleagues and interns;
• Ability to develop objectives and to implement procedures.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The position requires the ability to communicate in French and English, both orally and in written form. The working environment is in French. Operational activities are delivered in French, in English, and/or both, depending upon the researcher, the initiative, and the intended audience.

The archival collection contains material in French and English. The selected candidate will process materials, including describing the records, in French and in English, depending on the language of the material.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The AJC are engaged in a process of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The selected candidate will need to demonstrate an understanding of the main challenges regarding archival concepts and practices. The candidate must be familiar with the principles stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, as well as demonstrating a knowledge of national and international strategic orientations and principles concerning Indigenous peoples and associated archival records.

The deadline for applications is October 24, 2022.

Applications, which must include a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae in one Word of PDF file, should be sent to CANAJCdirection@jesuites.org.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those selected for the short list will be contacted for an interview. Candidates selected for an interview might be asked to provide the names and addresses of three referees.

Personal information received from prospective candidates will be used only for this recruitment process.

CANAJCdirection@jesuites.org

Application Deadline: October 24, 2022, 11:59 pm EST.

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