Dutch Culture Collection Specialist

Will you make it happen?

As our Dutch culture collection specialist, you’re the person who knows a lot about so-called Dutch subcultures. Think of expressions of the Moluccan community, the carnival celebrations in Venlo, or Chinese New Year in The Hague. Regional customs such as carbide shooting also fall under this category. You’ll make us especially happy if you introduce us to a subculture that’s relatively unknown to us! You’ll have a unique, content-focused role with a high degree of autonomy, working with both the collection and our clients and visitors. Supporting and advising researchers, exhibition curators, authors, and others is also part of your responsibilities. And there’s more. You are the Dutch culture collections specialist who:

• Conducts research on Dutch subcultures and writes about them in an engaging way.
• The collection development for the subject of culture is carried out with the aim of building a diverse collection.
• Actively promotes the collection and helps users navigate it.

In addition, you will continue to explore the breadth of our collection regarding Dutch subcultures and present it to the public, for example through presentations, exhibitions, articles, and podcasts.

Starting from a foundation as a cultural generalist in this field, you will certainly be able to set your own areas of focus. Preferably in the area of non-dominant cultures in the Netherlands, with a focus on the 21st century. Examples include: cooking and food culture, art, fashion, (pop) music, party culture, traditions and customs, leisure activities, and sports. The field of work is therefore very broad and diverse. You will be responsible for “Dutch culture” in the broadest sense. In this role, you will collaborate closely with the Dutch History Collections Specialist and the Dutch Literature Collections Specialist, as your areas of expertise overlap.

Are you the talent we're looking for?

We’re curious to learn more about who you are and what makes you special. Is it your broad and nuanced perspective on society, combined with political and social awareness? That’s great. Especially if, for this position as a Dutch Culture Collections Specialist, you can also offer:

• At least five years of work experience in the heritage sector, academic research, or education.
• Knowledge of and experience with research and/or presentation of Dutch subcultures.
• Experience writing and/or presenting to a wide audience.
• An independent, entrepreneurial approach to work.
• An affinity for the cultural sector (libraries, museums, education, research, etc.) is a plus.

What can you count on?

When you choose the KB, you’re also choosing excellent employment benefits. To be specific, your choice includes:

• A gross monthly salary between €4,363 and €6,002 (pay grade 11).
• To start with a one-year contract with the possibility of a permanent position.
• A good work-life balance. You’ll get 42 days off, and we’d be happy to discuss working from home and flexible hours with you.
• 100% reimbursement of your public transportation costs.
• Pension accrual through the ABP pension fund, with the KB paying 70% of the contribution.
• A thirteenth month's salary (8.33%).

These terms of employment apply to a full-time position of 40 hours per week. The position of Dutch Culture Collections Specialist is a 32-hour-per-week position. Read more about our excellent benefits here:www.kb.nl/organisatie/vacatures-en-stages/uitstekende-arbeidsvoorwaarden.

What is it like to work at the KB?

The KB is the national library of the Netherlands. What more people should know is that the KB is innovating. Because that’s exactly what we’re doing! Together with 500 colleagues and our network partners, we’re committed to making the Netherlands smarter, more skilled, and more creative every day. We achieve this, for example, by collecting, preserving, and sharing all digital publications from and about our country. And by working together toward a society in which everyone can participate fully. For example, we’re there for the very youngest with storytime kits, for seniors with tablet courses, and for those with low literacy skills with language support. We tackle social challenges like these together with our network partners.

We embrace the differences among our colleagues. In fact, we believe that differences make a team stronger. That’s exactly what we experience in our Collection Knowledge team. This team works alongside our Collection Development team on collection development and the promotion of our collections, and consists of curators and collection specialists. And together with the Dutch History and Dutch Literature collection specialists, you’ll present the National Library Collection. How do your 15 future colleagues describe the atmosphere themselves? As engaged, enthusiastic, and professional.

How do I apply for this job opening?

Would you like to contribute to our innovation? Great! We can’t wait to receive your resume and cover letter. We also ask that you include a paragraph in your cover letter describing your area of expertise and why you believe it would be a valuable addition to our collection.
Do you have any questions about the position? Please direct them to Miriam Wagenaar, Acting Team Leader of Collection Knowledge, via 06-11259454. Questions about the application process? Fiona van Kessel will answer them via solliciteren@kb.nl or 06-39645240.

• You can apply through Sunday, June 23, usingthe application form on our website.
• If we see enough common ground, we’d be happy to get in touch with you soon and will call you for an introductory conversation. If there isn’t enough common ground, we’ll let you know via email.
• The first round of talks will take place in week 26, and the second round in week 28.
• We will retain your information during the selection process. We will delete it no later than 4 weeks after the application process has ended, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For more information, please see our privacy statement for applicants athttps://www.kb.nl/privacy-avg/privacyverklaring-sollicitanten.

Sales calls are not appreciated.