Intern – Geospatial Assistant, part time

Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library Boston, MA

Position Description:

The Intern – Geospatial Assistant will work with the GIS Map Librarian to create digital resources aimed at facilitating visitors’ discovery of and access to the Leventhal Map & Education Center’s historical map collection. This position will spend on average approximately 10 – 15 hours a week georeferencing and working on digital humanities tools, and approximately 5 hours a week working as a gallery attendant.

This is a part-time position. Compensation: $11/hour during 2018; $12 beginning January 1, 2019. Shift hours will be assigned among the group of Interns with some flexibility to try to accommodate student class schedules. This position is subject to a CORI check.

Intern – Geospatial Assistant Responsibilities:

  • Contribute geographic metadata to a collection of urban atlases spanning from 1861-1965
  • Develop and implement electronic tools that facilitate visitors’ discovery of and access to the Leventhal Center’s historical map collection
  • Develop and implement learning materials such as workshops, tutorials, and library guides in collaboration with Leventhal Center’s Education team
  • Develop programming to increase visibility of library resources
  • Spend approximately five hours per week on-desk, greeting patrons, attending to the gallery, and adhering to the Gallery Attendant Responsibilities
  • Perform general administrative and library tasks

Intern – Gallery Attendant Responsibilities:

  • Arrive ten minutes prior to gallery open time to set up station, unlock doors, check to make sure brochures are filled, and ensure gallery is presentable
  • Greet visitors and make them feel welcome
  • Serve as a point person for researchers, providing reference and directing rare materials requests to appropriate library staff
  • Field questions about map exhibitions and the Center’s collection
  • Lead approximately one gallery tour per month
  • Generate social media content with the goal of promoting the Center
  • Collect and report data on visitor impressions and questions for curators to review
  • Perform general administrative and library tasks
  • Adhere to Intern Expectations and the policies of the Leventhal Map & Education Center and the Boston Public Library.

Required Qualifications:

  • Interest in museums/ and or libraries and geospatial technologies
  • Ability to perform routine tasks on a Windows PC and Microsoft Office
  • Ability to complete detailed work with a high degree of consistency and accuracy
  • Able to respectfully and effectively work with diverse visitors and staff
  • Ability to solve problems independently as well as collaboratively
  • Interest in learning to use unfamiliar tools, software, and hardware
  • Availability of one (1) weekend gallery shift, either Saturday 10 – 5 or Sunday 1 – 5

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience studying GIS (in any discipline), history, public history, library science, or museum studies
  • Interest in UI & UX design, data visualization, or digital humanities
  • Intermediate or Advanced knowledge of desktop GIS and/or web GIS technology
  • Experience with web development, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Leaflet, or D3.js
  • Experience with any of the following: Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Access, Carto, StoryMaps, QGIS, or Github
  • Proficiency in language(s) other than English

To Apply:

Please attach a PDF document including a resume and cover letter to blipton@bpl.org. The applicant’s cover letter should speak to how their particular set of interests and skills will contribute to the goals and responsibilities described in this listing, and to the Leventhal Map Center mission at large.

About the Map Center:

The Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library develops programs  which inspire curiosity and learning among people of all ages by using cartographic materials to illuminate history, geography, world cultures, science, and contemporary issues.

  • We are an independent nonprofit organization in a long-term strategic partnership with the Boston Public Library to advance a shared mission of education and engagement, and to steward the Library’s cartographic collection in concert with its policies.
  • We make resources freely accessible and engaging to the public through our exhibitions, publications, lectures, workshops, classes, family programs, and website.
  • We teach students of all levels, develop and disseminate K-12 lesson plans, and train teachers to use maps effectively and creatively in the classroom.
  • We build, preserve, and digitize the cartographic collections of the Boston Public Library, Norman B. Leventhal, and the Map & Education Center, which date from the 15th century to the present.
  • We supplement the collections with digital material of historical and educational importance from partner institutions and private collections.
  • We promote the use of the collections for academic and public research.