Digital Archivist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Digital archivists qualify for H-1B visa and other work visas as specialty occupation professionals requiring specialized knowledge in information science, library science, or related fields. Museums, universities, government agencies, and cultural institutions regularly sponsor these roles, particularly for candidates with advanced degrees in library and information science or digital humanities. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.
Job:
Senior Archivist
Reporting to the Director of Archives and Special Collections within the Barnard Library, the Senior Archivist processes, or facilitates the processing of archival collections, serves as the first point of contact for reference services, and coordinates activities in the Barnard Archives and Special Collections reading room. Working in a team environment, the Senior Archivist provides guidance to undergraduate and graduate student staff engaged in archival work.
This position is primarily in-person, with flexibility for remote work as needed.
Essential Duties
Reference & Instruction Support:
- Provides in-person and remote reference and research support to a diverse range of students, scholars, and visitors.
- Coordinates activities in the reading room, including researcher and classroom visits.
- Supports imaging services, including on-demand and project-based digitization.
- With the Director, provides introductory primary source instruction sessions that orient students and faculty to the Archives and to archival research in general.
- Contributes to compiling statistics about archival collections and their use.
Processing & Description:
- Arranges and describes archival records in all formats in accordance with established archival theory and standards.
- Publishes and edits finding aids in Barnard’s archival discovery platform (ArchivesSpace).
- Catalogs and publishes digitized historical materials in Barnard’s Digital Collections platform (Archipelago).
Accessioning & Records Transfer:
- Periodically appraises and accessions institutional records, in accordance with existing records retention and disposition schedules, and in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the President’s Office, BCIT, Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), and other stakeholders.
- With the Director, educates campus partners on identifying and saving institutional records of enduring historical value for transfer to the Archives as needed.
- With the Director, assists in accessioning manuscripts and personal papers from sources external to the college.
SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Expertise in archival accessioning, processing, and description practices, and experience with managing complex processing projects or programs.
- Experience with archival management software such as ArchivesSpace; digital collections software such as Archipelago or Islandora; web archiving software such as Archive-It; and other archival platforms.
- Experience with library and archival descriptive and content standards, including DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, and LCNA.
- Experience with processing digital materials, and digital preservation.
- Experience performing archival reference and ability to work with a diverse range of students and other scholars.
- Knowledge of rights administration and management issues for archival collections.
- Flexibility and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm and strategies for making archives collections more broadly accessible.
- Demonstrated critical analysis of archives or the archives profession.
- Evidence of effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in library and information science or equivalent program.
- 5-7 years of experience with archival or related work, including experience with instruction, reference, programming, and/or outreach.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a university, college, cultural heritage institution, non-profit, or comparable setting.
- Experience teaching archival workshops in an academic environment.
- Experience supervising student staff.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $78,000 - $86,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Company:
Barnard College
Time Type:
Full time
INTRODUCTION
If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.
Job:
Senior Archivist
Reporting to the Director of Archives and Special Collections within the Barnard Library, the Senior Archivist processes, or facilitates the processing of archival collections, serves as the first point of contact for reference services, and coordinates activities in the Barnard Archives and Special Collections reading room. Working in a team environment, the Senior Archivist provides guidance to undergraduate and graduate student staff engaged in archival work.
This position is primarily in-person, with flexibility for remote work as needed.
Essential Duties
Reference & Instruction Support:
- Provides in-person and remote reference and research support to a diverse range of students, scholars, and visitors.
- Coordinates activities in the reading room, including researcher and classroom visits.
- Supports imaging services, including on-demand and project-based digitization.
- With the Director, provides introductory primary source instruction sessions that orient students and faculty to the Archives and to archival research in general.
- Contributes to compiling statistics about archival collections and their use.
Processing & Description:
- Arranges and describes archival records in all formats in accordance with established archival theory and standards.
- Publishes and edits finding aids in Barnard’s archival discovery platform (ArchivesSpace).
- Catalogs and publishes digitized historical materials in Barnard’s Digital Collections platform (Archipelago).
Accessioning & Records Transfer:
- Periodically appraises and accessions institutional records, in accordance with existing records retention and disposition schedules, and in collaboration with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the President’s Office, BCIT, Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), and other stakeholders.
- With the Director, educates campus partners on identifying and saving institutional records of enduring historical value for transfer to the Archives as needed.
- With the Director, assists in accessioning manuscripts and personal papers from sources external to the college.
SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Expertise in archival accessioning, processing, and description practices, and experience with managing complex processing projects or programs.
- Experience with archival management software such as ArchivesSpace; digital collections software such as Archipelago or Islandora; web archiving software such as Archive-It; and other archival platforms.
- Experience with library and archival descriptive and content standards, including DACS, EAD, MARC, LCSH, and LCNA.
- Experience with processing digital materials, and digital preservation.
- Experience performing archival reference and ability to work with a diverse range of students and other scholars.
- Knowledge of rights administration and management issues for archival collections.
- Flexibility and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm and strategies for making archives collections more broadly accessible.
- Demonstrated critical analysis of archives or the archives profession.
- Evidence of effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in library and information science or equivalent program.
- 5-7 years of experience with archival or related work, including experience with instruction, reference, programming, and/or outreach.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a university, college, cultural heritage institution, non-profit, or comparable setting.
- Experience teaching archival workshops in an academic environment.
- Experience supervising student staff.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $78,000 - $86,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Company:
Barnard College
Time Type:
Full time
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Digital Archivist Jobs
Emphasize specialized digital preservation skills
Highlight expertise in metadata standards, digital asset management systems, and preservation software. These technical competencies distinguish your role from general librarian positions and strengthen specialty occupation requirements.
Target cultural and educational institutions
Museums, universities, and research libraries have established visa sponsorship processes and understand the specialized nature of archival work. Government agencies also frequently sponsor digital archivists.
Showcase relevant advanced degree requirements
Most digital archivist positions require master's degrees in library science, information science, or digital humanities. This educational requirement directly supports H-1B specialty occupation criteria.
Demonstrate knowledge of archival standards and protocols
Proficiency in Dublin Core, MODS, EAD, and other metadata standards shows specialized knowledge. Include experience with digital repository platforms and preservation workflow management.
Apply to institutions with existing digital collections
Organizations already investing in digital preservation initiatives are more likely to understand visa sponsorship value. Research their current digital projects and reference them in applications.
Consider museum studies or public history backgrounds
Degrees in museum studies, public history, or digital humanities paired with archival experience can qualify. The key is demonstrating specialized knowledge beyond general administrative skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do digital archivists qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, digital archivists qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupation professionals. The role requires specialized knowledge in information science, digital preservation, and metadata management that typically requires a master's degree in library science or related field. Museums, universities, and cultural institutions regularly sponsor these positions.
What degree do I need for digital archivist visa sponsorship?
Most positions require a master's degree in library and information science (MLIS), with specialization in digital archives or preservation. Some employers accept degrees in museum studies, digital humanities, or information technology with relevant archival experience. The degree must relate directly to the specialized archival functions.
How to find Digital Archivist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Digital Archivist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on museums, libraries, universities, government agencies, and tech companies that frequently sponsor H-1B, O-1 visa, and other work visas. These organizations often need digital preservation specialists and are experienced with visa processes for specialized archival roles.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor digital archivists?
Universities, research libraries, museums, government agencies, and large corporations with significant digital assets offer the strongest sponsorship prospects. These institutions understand the specialized nature of digital preservation work and often have established visa processes. Federal contractors and cultural heritage organizations also sponsor frequently.
How competitive is H-1B sponsorship for digital archivists?
Digital archivists face moderate competition in the H-1B lottery, but the specialized nature of the role helps with approval rates once selected. Positions at universities may qualify for cap-exempt status, avoiding the lottery entirely. Government and nonprofit cultural institutions also offer alternative visa pathways.
Can digital archivists get green cards through employment?
Yes, digital archivists can pursue employment-based green cards, typically through EB-2 or EB-3 categories. Those with advanced degrees and exceptional skills in digital preservation may qualify for EB-2. The specialized nature of archival work often supports PERM labor certification requirements effectively.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Digital 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.