Archivist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Archivist roles at universities, federal agencies, and cultural institutions do sponsor H-1B 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 JobsArchivist, IS-1420-11
OPEN DATE: April 29, 2026
CLOSING DATE: May 11, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Select One of the following: Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
* Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Overview
This position is located in the Archives, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Smithsonian Institution. The Archives acquires, preserves, manages, and provides access to archival collections documenting African American history and culture in support of the museum’s mission through research, exhibitions, publications, and public programs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Processes archival collections in accordance with professional archival standards including DACS and Smithsonian guidelines.
Arranges materials into logical series and establishes intellectual control over collections. Identifies subjects, dates, and creators for descriptive purposes.
Prepares basic preservation actions such as rehousing and labeling.
Processes collections in multiple formats including paper, photographic, audiovisual, and digital materials.
Assists with inventories, audits, and verification of collection locations. Works with archivists and collections staff to ensure proper storage and handling.
Identifies preservation concerns and reports them to supervisor.
Supports collection moves and storage projects.
Assists archivists in preparing materials for researcher use.
Supports reading room and reference activities when needed. Assists with preparation of materials for exhibitions, digitization, or research.
Participates in archival projects as assigned.
Creates and updates finding aids using ArchivesSpace and other archival systems. Ensures descriptive records are accurate and meet professional standards. Reviews existing descriptions and revises as needed.
Assists with preparation of collection summaries and documentation.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:
Education Requirement:
To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree in archival science or Bachelor's degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government.
OR
Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the education requirement, experience required for this position is as follows:
Familiarity with ArchivesSpace and other archival systems to ensure records are compliant and accurate.
Preparing materials for research access, as well as for exhibitions and digitization.
Providing support for inventories, audits, collection moves and storage of artifacts.
Managing compliance with professional archival standards to ensure consistency with archival guidelines.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact doneganmc@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo
About National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.
Application Deadline
May 11, 2026
Department
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Washington, DC
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
$85,447 - $111,087 / year
Reporting To
IS-1420-11
Archivist, IS-1420-11
OPEN DATE: April 29, 2026
CLOSING DATE: May 11, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Select One of the following: Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
* Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Overview
This position is located in the Archives, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), Smithsonian Institution. The Archives acquires, preserves, manages, and provides access to archival collections documenting African American history and culture in support of the museum’s mission through research, exhibitions, publications, and public programs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Processes archival collections in accordance with professional archival standards including DACS and Smithsonian guidelines.
Arranges materials into logical series and establishes intellectual control over collections. Identifies subjects, dates, and creators for descriptive purposes.
Prepares basic preservation actions such as rehousing and labeling.
Processes collections in multiple formats including paper, photographic, audiovisual, and digital materials.
Assists with inventories, audits, and verification of collection locations. Works with archivists and collections staff to ensure proper storage and handling.
Identifies preservation concerns and reports them to supervisor.
Supports collection moves and storage projects.
Assists archivists in preparing materials for researcher use.
Supports reading room and reference activities when needed. Assists with preparation of materials for exhibitions, digitization, or research.
Participates in archival projects as assigned.
Creates and updates finding aids using ArchivesSpace and other archival systems. Ensures descriptive records are accurate and meet professional standards. Reviews existing descriptions and revises as needed.
Assists with preparation of collection summaries and documentation.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:
Education Requirement:
To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a Bachelor's degree in archival science or Bachelor's degree with a major that includes 18 semester hours in archival science, history and/or in political science or government, and 12 semester hours in one or any combination of the following: archival science, history, American civilization, economics, political science, public administration, or government.
OR
Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours that included courses as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the education requirement, experience required for this position is as follows:
Familiarity with ArchivesSpace and other archival systems to ensure records are compliant and accurate.
Preparing materials for research access, as well as for exhibitions and digitization.
Providing support for inventories, audits, collection moves and storage of artifacts.
Managing compliance with professional archival standards to ensure consistency with archival guidelines.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact doneganmc@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo
About National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.
Application Deadline
May 11, 2026
Department
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Washington, DC
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
$85,447 - $111,087 / year
Reporting To
IS-1420-11
See all 16+ Archivist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Archivist roles.
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.
Archivist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Archivist JobsFrequently 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.
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