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
The Archivist of the Impossible will primarily preserve, arrange, and describe archival collections in the Center for the Impossible, which represent anomalous experiences in a variety of areas. This staff member will provide first-line reference services and search guidance primarily for the Impossible collections to on-site and off-site researchers. They will work with the Head of Special Collections and the Executive Director of the Center for the Impossible to identify material appropriate for digitization and presentation on the web and participate in user education, lectures, and tours. They will also train and supervise processing assistants in collaboration with the Head of Special Collections. This position reports directly to the Director of the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, where the Center for the Impossible collections are preserved, and will work closely with the Executive Director of the Center for the Impossible, whose position is part of the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.
The ideal candidate must have experience working in an academic library team environment, managing multiple tasks, and prioritizing deadlines.
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
Workplace Requirements
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This is a three-year, benefits-eligible position funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds, and may be renewed based on continued funding availability, research needs, and performance.
Hiring Range
Starting at $62,000 with flexibility to go higher, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Master's degree in Library and Information Studies, Archival Studies, or another closely related field
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
- 1+ years of experience
- In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking skills
- Ability to provide excellent customer service and remain calm and flexible in stressful situations
- Ability to perform precise, detailed work quickly and accurately
- Archival arrangement and description skills
PREFERENCES
- Working knowledge of archival software such as ArchivesSpace and Archivematica, as well as digital asset management systems
- Familiarity with the topics of anomalous experiences and narratives of contact with non-human intelligence
- Familiarity with Digital Humanities project structure and administration
- Familiarity with text analysis and visualization methods
- Familiarity with the UAP, Disclosure, Experiencer, and Researcher community ecosystem
- Certified Archivist
- Digital Archives Specialist certification
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides in-depth collection interpretation for researchers and coordinates reference services and search guidance provided by support staff
- Processes (appraises, preserves, organizes, arranges, and describes) manuscript collections and archival record groups to provide intellectual access to these holdings through the preparation of collection-level descriptions using nationally accepted archival formats
- Identifies manuscript and archival materials appropriate for digitization and placement on the web using nationally accepted archival formats
- Provides reference services and search guidance for Center for the Impossible collections to on-site and off-site researchers
- Performs analog and digital preservation operations
- Participates in user education, lectures, and tours for university users and outside groups
- Performs all other duties as assigned
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
- Ability to lift boxes weighing 30+ lbs.
- Some travel to workshops and occasional evening or weekend presentations to groups.
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
INTRODUCTION
The Archivist of the Impossible will primarily preserve, arrange, and describe archival collections in the Center for the Impossible, which represent anomalous experiences in a variety of areas. This staff member will provide first-line reference services and search guidance primarily for the Impossible collections to on-site and off-site researchers. They will work with the Head of Special Collections and the Executive Director of the Center for the Impossible to identify material appropriate for digitization and presentation on the web and participate in user education, lectures, and tours. They will also train and supervise processing assistants in collaboration with the Head of Special Collections. This position reports directly to the Director of the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, where the Center for the Impossible collections are preserved, and will work closely with the Executive Director of the Center for the Impossible, whose position is part of the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.
The ideal candidate must have experience working in an academic library team environment, managing multiple tasks, and prioritizing deadlines.
Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
Workplace Requirements
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This is a three-year, benefits-eligible position funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds, and may be renewed based on continued funding availability, research needs, and performance.
Hiring Range
Starting at $62,000 with flexibility to go higher, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Master's degree in Library and Information Studies, Archival Studies, or another closely related field
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
- 1+ years of experience
- In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking skills
- Ability to provide excellent customer service and remain calm and flexible in stressful situations
- Ability to perform precise, detailed work quickly and accurately
- Archival arrangement and description skills
PREFERENCES
- Working knowledge of archival software such as ArchivesSpace and Archivematica, as well as digital asset management systems
- Familiarity with the topics of anomalous experiences and narratives of contact with non-human intelligence
- Familiarity with Digital Humanities project structure and administration
- Familiarity with text analysis and visualization methods
- Familiarity with the UAP, Disclosure, Experiencer, and Researcher community ecosystem
- Certified Archivist
- Digital Archives Specialist certification
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides in-depth collection interpretation for researchers and coordinates reference services and search guidance provided by support staff
- Processes (appraises, preserves, organizes, arranges, and describes) manuscript collections and archival record groups to provide intellectual access to these holdings through the preparation of collection-level descriptions using nationally accepted archival formats
- Identifies manuscript and archival materials appropriate for digitization and placement on the web using nationally accepted archival formats
- Provides reference services and search guidance for Center for the Impossible collections to on-site and off-site researchers
- Performs analog and digital preservation operations
- Participates in user education, lectures, and tours for university users and outside groups
- Performs all other duties as assigned
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
- Ability to lift boxes weighing 30+ lbs.
- Some travel to workshops and occasional evening or weekend presentations to groups.
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
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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.