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.
Find Archivist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Archivist jobs
See all 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 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.
See all 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.
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.