Assessor

As a Jr. Assessor you will learn how to evaluate the conditions of books, maps, microfilm and microfiche.   Position starts with learning workflows at our Dallas flagship operation so that the assessor will have knowledge of operations from intake up through final quality control.  The goal of the Jr Assessor is to initially learn all the conditions that may affect county records so their assessments result in detailed county inventories that accurately reflect the status of the records.   Evaluating county records is like taking a health check for an individual.   It encompasses getting to the root causes of the materials degradation and then recording the health of the collection so that long-term preservation strategies can be established to ensure long-term survival of the archive’s holdings.  County records repositories contain large amounts of boxed or loose paper documents and bound paper or photostatic volumes that may be backed up on micrographic medium (microfiche and microfilm), and large holdings of plat maps which may take the form of printed paper, architectural linen, or mylar (a petroleum derivative).    All these materials found in various states of disrepair need updated assessments to ascertain page counts, sizes, binding mechanisms, previous repairs, storage methodologies, water damage, pest damage, binding integrity, age of paper, etc.

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Archive Assessment: conduct assessments of books, maps, and film-based collections to identify deterioration, damage, or decay.  
2. Documentation: Document findings accurately, including detailed descriptions of book title, book date, page counts, types of damage (mechanical/pest/water-fire).  Photographic documentation and transferring field notes into database (Excel or similar) required for all levels of assessment findings.
3. The Junior Assessor will work with Sr. SME/CSA’s to catalog record series that commonly involve vital records (Births/Deaths/Marriages), and property records (Deeds and Mortgages as well as Index sets for property records).  Routine lifting of 25lb record books and plat books is required. Large assessments may require 30 percent or more of the physical records to be opened and examined closely to search for concealed damage of the text blocks. 
4. Like an outside sales position, this position requires travel to numerous county archive’s locations.  Although Dallas based, the ability to travel to Eastern, Central, or Western Sales Regions is required as needed.   Travel across the United States is necessary to conduct records assessments so our GovTech organization can establish proposals that include multi-year critical records programs.   Travel locations and schedule can and will vary depending on county budget cycles, county disaster response requests, and county relocations.   Weekend travel is usually not required but may be necessary on occasion. 
5. Collaboration: Collaborate with Kofile production personnel, account executives, and CSA/SME’s, and county records managers to ensure preservation efforts are in line with county goals and expectations.  
6. Research: Ongoing educational travel to other Kofile preservation centers of excellence as required during or after initial training to stay abreast of the latest company techniques and technologies.   Fixed training facility locations at current time are NC, TX, GA, CA, MO.    A strong understanding of document preservation and emerging technologies in conservation science will be learned by training with best-in-class preservation technicians in coordination with Sr. SME/CSA’s.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in library science, Archival Studies, Conservation, or a related field preferred but not required. 
2. Strong attention to detail and observational skills, with the ability to accurately assess the condition of the books and identify preservation needs.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex preservation concepts to diverse audiences.
4. Ability to organize and plan accordingly for extended weekly travel as required to match scale of the collection being assessed (strong time management skills required).
5. Proficiency in digital documentation and ability to work independently.

Working Conditions:

1.  This role will be based at our Dallas laboratory with frequent nationwide travel to county archives, county or city warehouses, county working offices.
2. This role requires routine lifting of boxed documents, books and bound plat maps, averaging 25 pounds. 
3.  This role requires travel to both rural and city archives.  Travel schedules vary week to week and state to state depending on many factors that will require flexible travel plans.  This is a position best suited for an individual comfortable with frequent air travel.  

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.