Job Listing: Oral History Associate

Office if Historic Alexandria - Alexandira, VA

Closes - November 17, 2023

Job Title - Oral History Associate

Compensation - $18.39 - $22.58 Hourly 

Job Type - Temporary

Apply - Please visit the Alexandria City Government website to apply.

Summary - The Oral History Associate supports the Alexandria Oral History Center’s efforts to document and preserve the memories and stories of Alexandria. They are responsible for facilitating oral history recordings, completing transcriptions, and assisting the Center’s manager with public programs and community engagement in preparation for and during Alexandria’s 275th birthday.
The incumbent is primarily responsible for facilitating oral history recordings throughout the community. This includes either being assigned an oral history recording from the Center’s manager and/or conducting community engagement in order to recruit participants. Additionally, this includes scheduling recordings, filling out archival paperwork, operating audio/video recording equipment, and some travel to conduct the recordings (usually within the City of Alexandria and/or the DMV area). They will also assist in recordings for the Center’s initiatives and special projects throughout the year. 
They are also responsible for assisting the Center’s manager in facilitating and organizing the Story Kit training program, the Listening Room event series, Story Circles the Oral History Walking Tours, and other public programming throughout the year. A commitment to diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and public service is at the core of this position and the department.
The Alexandria Oral History Center is primarily looking for candidates available to work Monday through Friday up to 40 hours with occasional weekend hours. This is a temporary (one year limited) position without benefits and the incumbent reports to the Oral History Manager. 

Job Responsibilities - 

• Facilitate between 2 to 4 oral history recordings a month. 
• Transcribe 2 to 4 oral recordings a month.
• Process 2 to 4 oral recordings a month using PastPerfect. 
• Develop partnerships with community organizations and individuals in Alexandria. 
• Attend public events to promote and represent the Alexandria Oral History Center. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications - To be considered as an ideal candidate, applicants must have some experience with oral history, documentary, and/or interviewing. Additionally, applicants must have experience working with diverse communities and conducting community engagement. Ideal candidates must have the ability to work well independently and collaboratively with a small team. Due to the nature of this position, they also should be able to climb stairs, stand and/or walk for long periods of time, and lift up to 50 pounds with or without an accommodation. Additionally, the candidate should be comfortable and able to travel within the City of Alexandria and/or the DMV area.  

Two Year College degree with a major in history, public history, material culture, museum education or a related field, basic computer skills, project management experience, interpersonal skills, organizational ability, ability to deal with the general public, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications - 

Four year college degree, at least one year of experience in Oral history with demonstrated knowledge and experience with community engagement and working with diverse communities and Alexandria History, demonstrated knowledge of oral history/documentary theory and practices as well as the use of Past Perfect Software, ability to climb stairs, stand and/or walk for long periods of time, and lift up to 50 pounds with or without an accommodation, experience with video/audio editing, working with diverse communities in the City of Alexandria specifically, fluency in the Spanish language ( reading/writing and speaking), possessing a driver’s license and independent transportation would be a plus.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria - The Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) enhances the quality of life for city residents and visitors by preserving and interpreting Alexandria's historic properties, archaeological sites, cultural resources, artifact collections, objects, archives, records, and personal stories and by encouraging audiences to recognize Alexandria’s diverse historic heritage and its place within the broader context of American history.