Archivist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Archivist jobs in the U.S. qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, requiring a bachelor's degree in archival science, library science, or history. Employers at universities, government agencies, and cultural institutions actively file LCAs and sponsor foreign-national candidates through H-1B and sometimes EB-2 or EB-3 green card pathways. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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AHD Staff: CMS - South Side Movie Project
About the Department
Founded in 2005 by Dr. Jacqueline Stewart, the South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) is dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, exhibiting, and researching the rich tapestry of home movies created by Chicago's South Side residents. More than just an archive, SSHMP empowers individuals and families to share their cherished memories and unique perspectives, creating an unparalleled visual record. We ensure the vibrant cultures and evolving narratives of the South Side are preserved for generations to come and celebrated as a vital thread in the history of the city of Chicago.
Today, SSHMP holds more than 1,400 reels of small-gauge film – 16mm, 8mm, and Super-8mm footage shot by South Siders spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s. As part of UChicago’s Arts + Public Life, the South Side Home Movie Project goes far beyond traditional archival boundaries, acting as a cultural steward that brings together a community of donors, students, artists, practitioners, and neighbors to explore a wide range of educational and creative reuse initiatives.
Job Summary
The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) seeks a part-time Processing Archivist to support the implementation of its CLIR-funded Digitizing Hidden Collections project, Filming Mid-Twentieth Century Black Life in Chicago: The Ramon Williams Collection. SSHMP is a community-centered archival initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, and making accessible home movies created by residents of Chicago’s South Side, advancing a vital visual record of underrepresented histories.
Working under the supervision of SSHMP leadership, including the Project Director and Project Manager, the Processing Archivist will play a central role in processing, digitizing, and describing audiovisual materials. The position is responsible for ensuring that materials are preserved, described, and made publicly accessible in alignment with professional archival standards and SSHMP’s community-centered stewardship model.
This role is for the term of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. This role focuses on digitization and digital preservation.
Responsibilities
- Inspects, cleans, repairs, digitizes, and creates access files for the majority of the remaining Ramon Williams films, with assistance from the Project Manager and archival staff. This includes conducting inventory and condition assessments, preparing film materials for digitization workflows, and coordinating specialized preservation processes when required.
- Creates, edits, and manages metadata records for audiovisual materials using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary. Conducts research to identify people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films, ensuring accurate, inclusive, and context-rich descriptions.
- Ingests digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and ensures materials are accessible through its online platform. Enhances discoverability through subject tagging, keywording, and descriptive annotations that reflect both scholarly frameworks and community-informed knowledge.
- Performs quality control on digitized files and metadata records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Maintains clear documentation of processing workflows, metadata decisions, and digitization outputs in accordance with grant reporting and sustainability standards.
- Contributes to the development of collection-level and thematic resources, such as finding aids, digital exhibits, or interpretive essays, that enhance public understanding and use of the Ramon Williams Collection.
- Works closely with SSHMP staff to support community-informed archival practices, including reviewing user-generated metadata and preparing materials for public programming, exhibitions, and digital storytelling initiatives.
- Participates in regular project meetings to assess progress, refine workflows, and ensure alignment with grant deliverables.
- Assists with documentation and reporting required by the CLIR grant.
- Supports SSHMP’s broader public programming and 20th anniversary initiatives, as needed.
- The job performs routine assignments in a library unit in the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources. Resolves processing problems with units.
- Identifies and documents preservation needs and, with moderate/high guidance from others, ensures the preservation of library pieces, electronically and digitally.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Working Conditions
This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Library
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
20
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Range
$25.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Department
AHD Staff: CMS - South Side Movie Project
About the Department
Founded in 2005 by Dr. Jacqueline Stewart, the South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) is dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, exhibiting, and researching the rich tapestry of home movies created by Chicago's South Side residents. More than just an archive, SSHMP empowers individuals and families to share their cherished memories and unique perspectives, creating an unparalleled visual record. We ensure the vibrant cultures and evolving narratives of the South Side are preserved for generations to come and celebrated as a vital thread in the history of the city of Chicago.
Today, SSHMP holds more than 1,400 reels of small-gauge film – 16mm, 8mm, and Super-8mm footage shot by South Siders spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s. As part of UChicago’s Arts + Public Life, the South Side Home Movie Project goes far beyond traditional archival boundaries, acting as a cultural steward that brings together a community of donors, students, artists, practitioners, and neighbors to explore a wide range of educational and creative reuse initiatives.
Job Summary
The South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP) seeks a part-time Processing Archivist to support the implementation of its CLIR-funded Digitizing Hidden Collections project, Filming Mid-Twentieth Century Black Life in Chicago: The Ramon Williams Collection. SSHMP is a community-centered archival initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving, digitizing, and making accessible home movies created by residents of Chicago’s South Side, advancing a vital visual record of underrepresented histories.
Working under the supervision of SSHMP leadership, including the Project Director and Project Manager, the Processing Archivist will play a central role in processing, digitizing, and describing audiovisual materials. The position is responsible for ensuring that materials are preserved, described, and made publicly accessible in alignment with professional archival standards and SSHMP’s community-centered stewardship model.
This role is for the term of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. This role focuses on digitization and digital preservation.
Responsibilities
- Inspects, cleans, repairs, digitizes, and creates access files for the majority of the remaining Ramon Williams films, with assistance from the Project Manager and archival staff. This includes conducting inventory and condition assessments, preparing film materials for digitization workflows, and coordinating specialized preservation processes when required.
- Creates, edits, and manages metadata records for audiovisual materials using established cataloging standards and SSHMP’s adapted controlled vocabulary. Conducts research to identify people, places, events, and cultural references depicted in the films, ensuring accurate, inclusive, and context-rich descriptions.
- Ingests digitized files into SSHMP’s digital archive and ensures materials are accessible through its online platform. Enhances discoverability through subject tagging, keywording, and descriptive annotations that reflect both scholarly frameworks and community-informed knowledge.
- Performs quality control on digitized files and metadata records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Maintains clear documentation of processing workflows, metadata decisions, and digitization outputs in accordance with grant reporting and sustainability standards.
- Contributes to the development of collection-level and thematic resources, such as finding aids, digital exhibits, or interpretive essays, that enhance public understanding and use of the Ramon Williams Collection.
- Works closely with SSHMP staff to support community-informed archival practices, including reviewing user-generated metadata and preparing materials for public programming, exhibitions, and digital storytelling initiatives.
- Participates in regular project meetings to assess progress, refine workflows, and ensure alignment with grant deliverables.
- Assists with documentation and reporting required by the CLIR grant.
- Supports SSHMP’s broader public programming and 20th anniversary initiatives, as needed.
- The job performs routine assignments in a library unit in the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources. Resolves processing problems with units.
- Identifies and documents preservation needs and, with moderate/high guidance from others, ensures the preservation of library pieces, electronically and digitally.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Working Conditions
This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Library
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
20
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Range
$25.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Archivist Jobs
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to archival work. A history or library science degree maps cleanly, but a general humanities degree may need a credential evaluation letter explicitly linking your coursework to archival duties before an employer can file an LCA.
Target institutional employers over private companies
Universities, federal agencies, state archives, and large museums file the most LCAs for archivist roles. These institutions have established HR and legal processes for H-1B sponsorship, so your application won't be their first time navigating the filing.
Search verified archivist sponsorship history on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed LCA filing history for archivist roles. This cuts out outreach to organizations that have never sponsored the position and focuses your applications where actual precedent exists.
Verify prevailing wage before your offer stage
Archivist prevailing wages vary significantly by city and employer type. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV rates for your target locations before negotiating, so your offer meets DOL certification requirements from the start.
Get your SAA or ACA certification documented early
Society of American Archivists credentials and the Academy of Certified Archivists designation strengthen a specialty occupation argument. Have your certification documentation ready before an employer initiates an LCA, since these credentials can help distinguish your role from general records clerk positions.
Clarify PERM timing if pursuing a green card
Many archivists at universities eventually pursue EB-2 or EB-3 green cards through PERM labor certification. Ask prospective employers whether they've run PERM for this role before, since a prior unsuccessful recruitment audit can delay or complicate your petition by months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an archivist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes, archivist positions generally qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require at least a bachelor's degree in archival science, library science, history, or a closely related field. USCIS evaluates the degree-to-role connection, so your employer's job description must specify the degree requirement explicitly rather than listing it as preferred. Roles at institutions without a formal degree requirement in the job posting can face RFEs.
Which visa types do archivist employers most commonly sponsor?
H-1B is the most common nonimmigrant visa for archivist roles because the position meets specialty occupation standards. Some employers at universities or nonprofits also support TN visa status for Canadian or Mexican nationals if the role clearly maps to a USMCA-listed profession. For long-term paths, EB-2 and EB-3 green cards through PERM are available, particularly at government agencies and academic institutions with established immigration support.
How do I find employers who have actually sponsored archivist visas before?
Migrate Mate shows employers with verified LCA filing history for archivist and related roles, so you can direct your applications toward organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process. This is more reliable than applying broadly and asking about sponsorship during screening calls, which often results in a slow no from employers unfamiliar with the process.
Does a foreign archival science degree count toward H-1B specialty occupation?
A foreign degree can satisfy the specialty occupation requirement if it's evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in a relevant field. You'll need a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization before your employer files the LCA and I-129 petition with USCIS. A three-year bachelor's degree from Australia, the UK, or Canada often qualifies, but the evaluator's letter must explicitly state U.S. equivalency and field alignment.
Can professional archival certifications substitute for a degree in an H-1B petition?
Certifications alone, such as the Academy of Certified Archivists designation, don't replace a degree for H-1B specialty occupation purposes. USCIS requires a theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, typically demonstrated through a formal degree. However, certifications do strengthen the argument that the role requires specialized expertise, which is useful if your employer receives a Request for Evidence challenging the specialty occupation classification.
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.