OPT Archivist Jobs
Archivist roles at universities, government agencies, and cultural institutions regularly hire OPT students with degrees in library science, history, or archival studies. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months with a qualifying STEM designation, gives you real runway to land a permanent role in a field where institutional knowledge is valued.
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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 OPT Sponsorship in Archivist
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Archival science programs housed under information science or library science departments sometimes carry a STEM CIP code, giving you 24 extra months of OPT. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before your initial OPT expires.
Target institutions already enrolled in E-Verify
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Federal agencies, large university systems, and Smithsonian-affiliated institutions almost always qualify, making them safer targets than small private foundations.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor your salary ask
Archivist prevailing wages vary sharply by region and employer type. Pull the DOL's OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so your number matches what a sponsoring employer would certify on an LCA, avoiding delays later.
Frame your practicum experience for federal hiring managers
Federal archivist postings through USAJOBS often treat OPT as a short-term gap. Highlighting a practicum or internship at a state archive or NARA affiliate signals continuity and reduces hesitation about sponsoring a work visa after OPT.
File your H-1B petition with Migrate Mate before cap season closes
H-1B visa registration opens each March and archivists at specialty-occupation employers qualify. Migrate Mate handles your petition paperwork at a flat fee, so your employer isn't navigating the filing process alone during a tight registration window.
Request a specific start date that preserves your OPT buffer
OPT authorization must be active on your first day of employment. If an offer lands late, negotiate a start date that falls within your authorized period rather than accepting a date that risks a gap in status.
Archivist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Archivist roles qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, most professional Archivist positions qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require at least a bachelor's degree in archival science, library science, or history. USCIS evaluates the specific job duties and degree requirement listed in the offer letter, so positions that accept any degree regardless of field can face additional scrutiny during adjudication.
Can I work as an Archivist at a federal agency on OPT?
Federal agencies can hire OPT students for archivist roles, but most direct federal positions require U.S. citizenship. Contractor roles supporting agencies like the National Archives and Records Administration are a more accessible path. Check the specific citizenship requirement on each posting before applying, as it varies by agency and position type.
Does my archival science degree qualify me for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your program's Classification of Instructional Programs code. Some library and information science programs carry a STEM-designated CIP code, making graduates eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific program qualifies. If it does, your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify for the extension to be approved.
How do I find Archivist employers who are open to sponsoring OPT students?
University libraries, state archives, and large cultural institutions tend to have established processes for hiring international staff and are more familiar with OPT and H-1B timelines than smaller private organizations. Migrate Mate lets you filter archivist-related openings by employers with visa sponsorship history, so you can focus your applications where the path to sponsorship is already established.
What happens to my OPT if my Archivist contract ends before I find a new position?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment in aggregate across your authorization period, or 150 days with a STEM extension. If your contract ends, that clock starts immediately. You can accept a new archivist role or a related position within your field of study without filing new paperwork, as long as the role relates to your degree and you stay within the unemployment limit.