Center for Public History - University of Houston
Oral History of Houston Project
Interviewer Agreement

Job Description: Interviewers for the Oral History of

Houston Project (OHHP) will work with the program director to conduct a series of coordinated Oral History interviews with notable Houstonians who have served as 1.) leaders or innovators in business, community, or professional roles or 2.) Houstonians who were eyewitnesses or participants in historical events effecting the greater Houston and Texas Gulf Coast areas.

Qualifications: Interviewers must complete an Oral History Training Workshop or an Oral History course through the Center for Public History or other accredited organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Pre-interview

  1. Create list of potential interviewees
  2. Make initial contact and schedule appointment
  3. Send Consent/Release packet
  4. Conduct background research and compose list of "talking points"
  5. Check out equipment (if needed)
  6. Verify that equipment is in working order
  7. Record "header" information

B. Conduct interview

  1. Arrive on time
  2. Collect release forms and other materials
  3. Conduct interview (double-check mic, tapes, and recording function)
  4. Thank interviewee for participating in the project (send Thank You note within one week after interview)

C. Post-interview

  1. Dupe tapes
  2. Create labels and attach to tapes, folders
  3. Complete and file release, informed consent, and bio forms
  4. Replay and listen to entire tape to correct errors in transcript
  5. Create transcript index
  6. Submit transcript to interviewees for corrections and edits
  7. Create final copies of interviews and transcripts according to archival standards for submissions to Houston History Archive
  8. All interview processing to be done according to project timeline