OPT Digital Archivist Jobs
Digital Archivist jobs on OPT require employers comfortable with STEM or standard OPT authorization, since most roles sit in libraries, universities, and cultural institutions. Your F-1 status is valid work authorization. The challenge is finding employers who understand that and are willing to document it properly for your records.
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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 Digital Archivist
Target universities and research libraries first
Universities and large research libraries hire Digital Archivists regularly and have HR teams experienced with OPT work authorization. They're among the most OPT-friendly employers for this role, reducing the back-and-forth over your eligibility.
Clarify whether your degree qualifies as STEM OPT
Library science, information science, and archival studies degrees may qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension if your school's CIP code is STEM-designated. Confirm with your DSO before applying, since it meaningfully extends your authorized work period.
Emphasize digital preservation and metadata skills upfront
Employers scanning for Digital Archivists want to see specific tools: ArchivesSpace, ContentDM, Archivematica, Dublin Core. Lead with these in your resume summary. It signals technical depth and bypasses early-stage uncertainty about your immigration status.
Explain OPT clearly and preemptively in applications
Many cultural institutions and nonprofits haven't hired on OPT before. A one-paragraph explanation in your cover letter, stating your authorization period, eligibility to work without employer action, and your extension timeline, removes the biggest hiring hesitation early.
Apply to digitization grant-funded projects
Federal agencies and foundations fund multi-year digitization projects that specifically hire Digital Archivists on contract or staff roles. These positions often have flexible hiring structures and supervisors experienced with international researchers and visiting scholars.
Network through professional archival organizations
The Society of American Archivists and regional archival networks host job boards and conferences where hiring managers actively recruit. Direct contact with supervisors at these events often moves faster than standard HR application pipelines for OPT candidates.
Digital Archivist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Digital Archivist on OPT without any employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT is pre-employment work authorization granted by USCIS, not your employer. Employers hiring you on OPT don't file any visa petition or pay USCIS fees. They simply verify your EAD card, complete the I-9, and report the hire to your DSO. No sponsorship action is required on their part.
Do Digital Archivist roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Degrees in library and information science, computer science, or data science may carry a STEM-designated CIP code that qualifies you for the 24-month extension. Confirm your school's designation with your DSO before accepting a role, since your degree field drives eligibility, not the archival job itself.
Where can I find Digital Archivist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers open to hiring F-1 OPT students, so you're not wasting applications on roles where your status is a dealbreaker. Searching there surfaces Digital Archivist and related information management roles at institutions already comfortable with OPT work authorization.
What documents does a hiring institution need from me to employ me on OPT?
Your employer needs your EAD card showing valid dates, your current F-1 visa and I-20 with OPT authorization endorsed by your DSO, and your passport. They complete the standard I-9 employment eligibility verification. You're also required to report the job to your DSO within 10 days of starting so your SEVIS record stays current.
Can I work as a freelance or contract Digital Archivist on OPT?
Yes, but with constraints. Self-employment and freelance work are permitted on OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you can document it as such for your DSO. Each contract engagement must be reported. If your work is genuinely project-based, consulting arrangements at libraries or archives are a viable path.