Archivist Jobs
Archivist jobs are open across universities, government agencies, museums, libraries, and corporate records departments, from entry-level processing roles to senior and director positions, with specializations in digital preservation, manuscript curation, and records management. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Archivist jobs
INTRODUCTION
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW
One of the nation's leading university museums, the University of California's Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is a forum for cultural experiences that transform individuals and advance the local, national, and global discourse on art and film.
As the premier visual arts venue at America's top public research university, BAMPFA is uniquely dedicated to art and film, presenting more than 300 film screenings, dozens of public programs, and 10 exhibitions annually.
Position Summary
The Project Processing Archivist supports an 18-month project focused on the arrangement, description, preservation, and activation of the Eli Leon Papers for the African American Quilt Collection at BAMPFA. This position manages a nationally significant collection of papers, photographic materials, born-digital records, and audio-visual materials documenting Black quiltmaking in California. The Project Processing Archivist assesses, inventories, and establishes robust metadata and descriptive finding aids to enable scholarly research and community engagement. This position also manages relationships with external vendors for digitization and assists in planning exhibitions supported by the Getty Black Visual Artists Archives grant.
APPLICATION REVIEW DATE
The First Review Date for this job is June 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.
Responsibilities
- Archival processing of artist files - correspondence, research notes, annotated books and exhibition catalogues, collecting ledgers, slides and photographic documentation, audio recordings and interviews (in cassette, CD, and electronic formats), born digital materials (including emails and floppy disks), and personal effects that illuminate Leon's methodology and networks
- Applying tools used in the museum and archival communities (e.g., ArchivesSpace, OCLC, OAC, Collection Space, FileMaker) and publishing an online Finding Aid
- Contributing to project management - including management of project documentation, and contributing to problem-solving and analysis
- Consulting and collaborating with staff at BAMPFA to ensure appropriate processing, rehousing, storage, and digitization of varying formats
- Working with the Senior Grants Officer and the Finance team on grant reporting requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory
- Knowledge of and/or experience applying efficient archival processing guidelines and procedures
- Knowledge of and/or experience with processing born-digital archival collections
- Knowledge of and/or experience with metadata standards like MARC, EAD, and DACS
- Knowledge of and/or experience using ArchivesSpace, OCLC, OAC, Collection Space, FileMaker, TMS (The Museum System), Alma, or other collection information management systems, and/or the ability to learn comparable systems
- Knowledge of and/or experience with project management
- Demonstrated analytical, documentation, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise initiative and judgment
EDUCATION / TRAINING
Graduation from college with specialization in the discipline involved and four years of experience in curatorial work, including one year in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- One year of experience processing archival materials, or equivalent combination of experience/training
- Master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution program or equivalent international degree
SALARY & BENEFITS
This position is eligible for full UC benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The University's budgeted annual salary range for this position is $82,984.93 - $91,595.44, steps 1-6.
This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time, limited position for up to 18 months.
INTRODUCTION
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW
One of the nation's leading university museums, the University of California's Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is a forum for cultural experiences that transform individuals and advance the local, national, and global discourse on art and film.
As the premier visual arts venue at America's top public research university, BAMPFA is uniquely dedicated to art and film, presenting more than 300 film screenings, dozens of public programs, and 10 exhibitions annually.
Position Summary
The Project Processing Archivist supports an 18-month project focused on the arrangement, description, preservation, and activation of the Eli Leon Papers for the African American Quilt Collection at BAMPFA. This position manages a nationally significant collection of papers, photographic materials, born-digital records, and audio-visual materials documenting Black quiltmaking in California. The Project Processing Archivist assesses, inventories, and establishes robust metadata and descriptive finding aids to enable scholarly research and community engagement. This position also manages relationships with external vendors for digitization and assists in planning exhibitions supported by the Getty Black Visual Artists Archives grant.
APPLICATION REVIEW DATE
The First Review Date for this job is June 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.
Responsibilities
- Archival processing of artist files - correspondence, research notes, annotated books and exhibition catalogues, collecting ledgers, slides and photographic documentation, audio recordings and interviews (in cassette, CD, and electronic formats), born digital materials (including emails and floppy disks), and personal effects that illuminate Leon's methodology and networks
- Applying tools used in the museum and archival communities (e.g., ArchivesSpace, OCLC, OAC, Collection Space, FileMaker) and publishing an online Finding Aid
- Contributing to project management - including management of project documentation, and contributing to problem-solving and analysis
- Consulting and collaborating with staff at BAMPFA to ensure appropriate processing, rehousing, storage, and digitization of varying formats
- Working with the Senior Grants Officer and the Finance team on grant reporting requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory
- Knowledge of and/or experience applying efficient archival processing guidelines and procedures
- Knowledge of and/or experience with processing born-digital archival collections
- Knowledge of and/or experience with metadata standards like MARC, EAD, and DACS
- Knowledge of and/or experience using ArchivesSpace, OCLC, OAC, Collection Space, FileMaker, TMS (The Museum System), Alma, or other collection information management systems, and/or the ability to learn comparable systems
- Knowledge of and/or experience with project management
- Demonstrated analytical, documentation, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise initiative and judgment
EDUCATION / TRAINING
Graduation from college with specialization in the discipline involved and four years of experience in curatorial work, including one year in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- One year of experience processing archival materials, or equivalent combination of experience/training
- Master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution program or equivalent international degree
SALARY & BENEFITS
This position is eligible for full UC benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The University's budgeted annual salary range for this position is $82,984.93 - $91,595.44, steps 1-6.
This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time, limited position for up to 18 months.
See All Archivist Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any archivist role that fits.
Find Archivist JobsArchivist Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Morgan State University1
- New York Life1
- North Carolina State University1
- The Johns Hopkins University1
- Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education6
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Insurance1
- Investment & Asset Management1
- Non-Profit & Social Services1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in archivist jobs.
- Master's degree in library science, archival studies, or a related field from an ALA-accredited program
- Hands-on experience with archival management systems such as ArchivesSpace or CONTENTdm
- Knowledge of archival standards including EAD, DACS, and OAIS reference model
- Experience processing and describing physical and born-digital collections
- Familiarity with digital preservation tools and workflows such as Archivematica or BagIt
- Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) certification or demonstrated progress toward it
Tips for Your Archivist Job Search
Tailor your resume to each repository type
Government archives, academic libraries, and corporate records programs each emphasize different competencies. Highlight EAD encoding and finding-aid creation for academic roles, compliance and retention schedules for corporate ones, and NARA standards experience for federal positions.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists archivist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
List your digital preservation tools explicitly
Hiring managers scan for specific tools like ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, Archivematica, and DSpace. Spell them out in your skills section rather than burying them in job descriptions, since applicant tracking systems filter on exact software names.
Translate volunteer and practicum work into competencies
If your paid experience is thin, describe your internship or volunteer project scope in concrete terms: collection size, formats processed, finding aids completed, or digitization workflows you built. Quantifying scope signals readiness even without a long work history.
Research the collection before your interview
Interviewers consistently ask why you want to work with their specific holdings. Review the institution's finding aids and recent acquisition announcements before the interview so you can name particular collections and explain how your background connects to their preservation priorities.
Negotiate start date around your certifications timeline
If you're finishing the Academy of Certified Archivists exam or a digital preservation certificate, mention your expected completion date when discussing your start date. Many employers will anchor the offer around it rather than fill the role immediately with a less-qualified candidate.
Archivist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most archivists?
The companies hiring the most archivists right now include Morgan State University, New York Life, and North Carolina State University, with the largest share of openings in Maryland, Massachusetts, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Federal agencies, large university library systems, and state historical societies consistently post the highest volume of archivist roles throughout the year.
How many archivist jobs are remote?
About 38% of archivist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with the remote share concentrated in digital preservation, metadata consulting, and electronic records management roles. Positions that require handling physical collections, such as processing manuscript donations or managing on-site stacks, almost always require in-person attendance.
How do you become an archivist?
Start by earning a master's degree in library science or archival studies from an ALA-accredited program, as most employers treat this as a baseline requirement. Complete at least one supervised practicum or internship in an active repository to build hands-on processing experience. Study core archival standards like DACS and EAD, gain familiarity with ArchivesSpace, and pursue the Academy of Certified Archivists credential once you have the required experience hours.
Can you get an archivist job with little or no professional experience?
Entry-level archivist roles do exist, especially at smaller historical societies, community archives, and grant-funded digitization projects, and they frequently consider candidates whose experience comes from graduate practica or volunteer processing work. Demonstrating that you've built finding aids, handled fragile materials, or contributed to a digitization workflow, even unpaid, carries real weight. Targeting project-based or term positions is a practical way to build your record before applying to permanent roles.
What does the archivist interview process look like?
Most archivist searches involve a resume screen followed by a phone or video screening with HR or a search committee member, then an in-person or virtual panel interview with the hiring supervisor and colleagues from the department. Many institutions include a practical exercise, such as arranging and describing a small sample collection or critiquing a draft finding aid. Final-round candidates at academic institutions are often asked to give a brief presentation on their approach to a collection challenge before the offer stage.
Where can I find and apply to archivist jobs?
You can find and apply to archivist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from repositories, agencies, universities, and other employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All Archivist Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any archivist role that fits.
Find Archivist Jobs