Rare Book seeks an organized, conscientious, and detail-oriented part-time Program Assistant to join the Programs department in facilitating excellent education programming. This position is a temporary appointment, through mid-August 2027, with the opportunity for renewal for another year. This position requires 10–20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters and 40–50 hours per week during the summer (mid-May through the first week of August), with overtime wages for hours worked over 40 per week. Wages will be $17 per hour (overtime $25.50). The Program Assistant reports to the Director of Programs & Education and will work with members of the Programs department to maintain and improve upon the successful programming of RBS’s in-person and online courses. This position provides a great opportunity to develop administrative skills that are applicable across a variety of fields. The Program Assistant will hone skills in communication, teamwork, organization, managing multiple overlapping projects, hospitality, outreach, and event coordination. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. Must be based in Charlottesville for the summer months.
The Program Assistant will be asked to:
- support programs logistics for course sessions that take place online, in Charlottesville, and at partner institutions in other cities;
- liaise with RBS faculty members about their course materials including print and digital workbooks;
- print and bind course workbooks, and prepare other print and digitally-distributed course materials;
- communicate regularly with RBS faculty members and applicants as well as individuals who are sponsoring, supporting, or variously related to RBS courses and programs;
- for courses in Charlottesville, assist with setting up classrooms, participant registration, evening receptions, communicating with conference services and students about dormitory housing, assist with catering and catering staff, etc.;
- facilitate connections between RBS and UVA departments and students;
- may be asked to travel to support a course session in another city;
- carry out other program-related duties as needed.
Since its founding in 1992, RBS has grown into a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative work environment located in the Edgar Shannon Library, on Central Grounds at the University of Virginia. We provide cutting-edge, specialized instruction vital for understanding and preserving artifacts central to our cultural heritage.
Rare Book School is an equal opportunity employer as a nonprofit affiliated with the University of Virginia. RBS is committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment that embraces a representative range of human attributes, perspectives, and disciplines. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status, or sexual orientation. Required qualifications: Qualified applicants must have a strong attention to detail; steady work ethic; integrity; strong written and oral communications skills; an interest in planning events; and the ability to deliver high-quality customer service. The Program Assistant will be asked to work longer hours, including weekends, during summer class sessions. The position will run through the second week of August 2027, with potential for renewal at that time. The successful candidate will work in the Charlottesville, VA RBS office. In-office or on-site work will be required, although we encourage flexibility in work schedules. Desired qualifications: Proficiencies with Mac operating systems and the MS Office Suite; ability to work with database systems; an interest in or familiarity with one or more of the constituencies from which our students and faculty principally come (e.g. book history & bibliography, special collections librarianship, book arts, antiquarian bookselling, archives, digital humanities, and higher education); and familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style and the Adobe Creative Suite. To apply, applicants should submit the following materials through the RBS online system:
- A cover letter
- A curriculum vitae
- The phone numbers and email addresses of at least three professional references, at least one of whom has served as your supervisor (we will not contact references until the offer stage) In your cover letter, please address: 1) your competency and experience with regard to the responsibilities and desired qualifications; 2) why you are interested in working for Rare Book School; and 3) when you will be available to begin. Review of applications will begin in September 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.