H-1B Visa Archivist Jobs
Archivist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in archival science, library science, or a related field. Many sponsoring employers are universities, federal agencies, and large cultural institutions that file LCAs under SOC code 25-4011 and have established H-1B petition workflows.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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 H-1B Visa Archivist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Archivist
Match your degree to SOC 25-4011
H-1B eligibility hinges on a direct relationship between your degree field and the Archivist role. A degree in library science, history, or archival studies maps cleanly to SOC 25-4011. A general humanities degree may trigger an RFE, so document any archival coursework explicitly.
Target cap-exempt institutions first
Universities, government archives, and nonprofit research libraries are often cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file year-round without entering the lottery. Prioritizing these institutions removes the April registration deadline from your job search timeline entirely.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter Archivist openings by employers with confirmed LCA filing history on Migrate Mate. This surfaces institutions that have actively sponsored the SOC 25-4011 occupation code, so you're not guessing which archives or universities will support a petition.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above DOL's prevailing wage for Archivist roles in the job's metro area. Check the wage level that applies to your experience tier using the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions begin.
Request the LCA before your start date
The LCA must be certified by DOL before USCIS can adjudicate your I-129. Ask your employer's HR or immigration counsel for the LCA certification number and effective dates once it's filed, so you can confirm the timeline aligns with your current status expiration.
Document specialized credentials during the petition
Professional certifications such as the Academy of Certified Archivists credential strengthen the specialty occupation argument in your I-129 packet. Include any digitization project experience or institutional accreditation records, as USCIS officers sometimes scrutinize whether Archivist roles require degree-level expertise.
H-1B Visa Archivist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Archivist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Archivist positions qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B when the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in archival science, library science, history, or a directly related field. USCIS evaluates whether the specific position, not just the job title, necessitates that theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. Roles that accept any degree field without a direct connection to archival practice are more vulnerable to RFEs.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Archivists?
Universities, federal and state government archives, presidential libraries, large public library systems, and major cultural institutions such as museums and historical societies are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for Archivist roles. Many of these are cap-exempt, allowing year-round filing. You can browse Archivist openings at employers with confirmed LCA filing history on Migrate Mate.
How does the H-1B lottery affect Archivist job seekers?
If your target employer is a private company subject to the annual H-1B cap, your petition must be registered during the March lottery window for an October 1 start date. However, universities and government-affiliated archives are typically cap-exempt, so many Archivist positions sidestep the lottery entirely. Confirming an employer's cap-exempt status early in your job search prevents timeline surprises.
What wage level should an H-1B Archivist expect on the LCA?
DOL assigns prevailing wage levels from Level I through Level IV based on experience, supervision, and complexity. Entry-level Archivist positions at universities typically fall at Level I or II, while senior or specialized roles in federal archives or large research institutions may reach Level III. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC code 25-4011 in your specific metro area before your offer is finalized.
Can an Archivist on H-1B change employers mid-status?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules established by AC21, you can start working for a new employer once the new I-129 petition is filed and receipted, provided your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days. The new employer must file a new LCA certifying the prevailing wage for the Archivist role at the new worksite location before USCIS can adjudicate the transfer petition.