The Papers of Abraham Lincoln seeks two assistant editors to begin work in October 2021.  The Papers of Abraham Lincoln is a documentary editing project dedicated to identifying, imaging, transcribing, annotating, and publishing online all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime (1809-1865).  This born-digital project is currently editing and publishing documents in the Campaign Digital Edition (1849-1860), the third of its five chronological segments.

About the Position

The assistant editor performs editorial, technical, and administrative tasks related to the ongoing work of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln.

Core Responsibilities: 1) Create electronic records and accession records into the project’s content management system; 2) Transcribe hand-written documents using an XML editor; 3) Tandem verify transcriptions; 4) Compose identifications of events, organizations, persons, and places associated with pertinent documents; 5) Write accurate and complete contextual and textual annotations for select documents; 6) Verify the factual claims in annotations and identifications; 7) Check hyperlinks and existing metadata and markup for accuracy, and 8) Review bibliographical citations for consistency and exactness.

Supplemental Responsibilities: 1) Oversee the work of the graduate public service interns (GPSIs), interns, and volunteers; 2) Assist the director in the preparation of grant proposals and reports; 3) Collaborate with other editors in establishing editorial guidelines; 4) Provide reference services for in-person, mail, email, and telephone inquiries; 5) Correspond with repositories and private collectors regarding new documents, 6) Engage in professional and scholarly activities, including research and public service, and 7) Participate in the outreach activities of the project and the Research Division of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Requirements

• Master of Arts in History, with a concentration in American History
• Knowledge of and skill in utilizing both print and electronic/digital resources for historical research
• Proficiency in historical research and writing
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work productively both individually and collaboratively
• An eye for detail and commitment to precision and accuracy
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, OneDrive, WebEx

Preferred

• A PhD in American history, with a focus on the mid-nineteenth century and the Civil War
• Experience in documentary editing
• Familiarity with the handwriting of nineteenth-century political, cultural, and intellectual figures
• Familiarity with basic XML and XML editors
• Experience with Omeka, Drupal, Islandora, or other digital content management systems
• Experience creating historical content in a digital environment

Position Details

Work Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street Springfield, IL 62701

Work Hours: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Employment Period: October 1, 2021-September 30, 2022

Salary: $43 / Hour; $85,000 / Annual

This is a grant-funded, contract position.  Funding is guaranteed for the employment period, with the possibility of extended employment dependent on continued grant funding.

Contract employees are not eligible for fringe benefits.  The hourly rate has been adjusted to enable employees to purchase private health insurance and contribute to retirement plans, if they so desire.   Employer payroll taxes are paid by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

In person work at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is preferred, but telework options may be considered.

To apply, submit cover letter, résumé, and names and contact information for three references to daniel.worthington@illinois.gov.  Address materials to Daniel Worthington, Director, The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street Springfield, IL 62701.

Applications must be received by August 31, 2021.  Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the positions are filled.  Work is expected to begin October 8, 2021.

You may learn more about The Papers of Abraham Lincoln at www.papersofabrahamlincoln.org.