Archivist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Archivist roles at universities, federal agencies, and cultural institutions do sponsor H-1B visa and O-1 visas, but most openings require a master's degree in library science or archival studies and clear specialty occupation documentation to satisfy USCIS standards. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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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 Archivist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Archivist Jobs
Frame your MLS as specialty occupation proof
USCIS scrutinizes archivist petitions closely because the role isn't always recognized as a specialty occupation. Your degree transcript and job offer letter must explicitly connect your master's in library science or archival studies to the specific duties listed.
Target federal agencies and land-grant universities
Federal agencies like the National Archives and land-grant universities have established PERM and H-1B filing infrastructure. These employers process sponsorship in-house, cutting delays that smaller cultural institutions often face when hiring international archivists.
Verify prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the SOC code 25-4011 for your work location before negotiating. Your offered salary must meet or exceed the DOL's prevailing wage, or the LCA certification will fail.
Request the O*NET profile during interviews
The O*NET profile for archivists documents the specialized knowledge and training requirements that support a specialty occupation argument. Sharing it with a hesitant employer's HR team often accelerates their decision to pursue sponsorship.
File LCA documentation before your CPT or OPT ends
If you're transitioning from F-1 status, your employer must have a certified LCA before USCIS can accept the H-1B petition. Build in at least 60 days for DOL certification so the petition reaches USCIS while your authorized period is still valid.
Use Migrate Mate to identify sponsoring employers
Archivist sponsorship history isn't obvious from job postings alone. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with active H-1B filing records for archivist and related library science roles, so you target institutions that have already committed to sponsoring this occupation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an archivist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it's not automatic. USCIS requires evidence that the position normally demands at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Archivist roles tied to a master's in library science or archival studies typically meet that bar. Roles described more broadly, such as records clerk duties alongside archival tasks, are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor an archivist's visa?
Federal agencies, large research universities, and major cultural institutions such as museums and presidential libraries are the most consistent sponsors. These organizations have dedicated HR and legal teams familiar with PERM and H-1B filings. Smaller historical societies and local government archives rarely have the infrastructure to sponsor international staff. Browse Migrate Mate to filter archivist roles by employers with documented H-1B filing history.
Is a master's degree required to get H-1B sponsorship as an archivist?
A master's degree in library science, archival studies, or a closely related field is effectively required for most sponsorship-eligible archivist positions. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between the degree field and the job duties. A bachelor's in an unrelated discipline, even combined with archivist experience, is harder to defend as a specialty occupation without additional supporting documentation.
Can an archivist on OPT or STEM OPT transition directly to H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, but archival studies is not a STEM-designated CIP code, so standard OPT runs 12 months with no STEM extension. You'll need your employer to file the H-1B petition before your OPT authorization expires. The cap-subject H-1B lottery registration runs in March each year for an October 1 start date, so timing your job search and offer acceptance to that calendar is critical.
Does the O-1 visa work for archivists who don't qualify for H-1B?
The O-1A visa is available to archivists who can demonstrate extraordinary ability, typically through published research, awards, judging roles for professional associations, or contributions of major significance to the field. This is a high bar for most mid-career archivists, but those who have led significant digitization projects, published in peer-reviewed journals, or held leadership roles in the Society of American Archivists sometimes qualify. USCIS adjudicates each case on the totality of evidence submitted.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Archivist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.