Archivist (Term)

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 83,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Vancouver seeks a Term Archivist to process and manage archival materials, contribute to reference services, and teach library resource usage. The role offers a starting salary of $83,955 to $86,520 annually, with comprehensive benefits including health coverage, pension, and tuition assistance. Ideal candidates will hold a master's degree in archival science and possess relevant experience.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development funding

Tuition assistance

Pension plan

Qualifications

• Masters-level degree with a specialization in archival science.
• Experience planning and executing the processing of archival materials.
• Experience in core archival functions and knowledge of relevant standards.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for processing archival materials in different formats.
• Provides reference and research services to diverse populations.
• Evaluates, arranges, and describes archival materials.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Experience with library and archival materials

Ability to initiate and plan projects

Knowledge of archival descriptive standards

Experience building productive relationships

Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Education

Masters-level degree in archival science

Job description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Bargaining Job Title Archivist (Term) Department UBC Library I Rare Books and Special Collections (Katherine Kalsbeek) Posting End Date September 10, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date September 30, 2026

$6996.25 - $7210.00/month

Archivist (Term)

RBSC, University Archives, UBC Library | Vancouver Campus

Full-time, Without review

Anticipated Start Date: September, 2025

UBC LIBRARY

As one of the world's leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.

We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.

The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the Xwi7xwa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Almost 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.

The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our aspirational values that we strive to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).

Learn more about the UBC Library Strategic Framework and about working with us.

University Archives (UA)

The University Archives (UA) serves as the central repository for recorded data in all formats created by, for, and about the University of British Columbia. The University Archives’ mandate is to identify, select, preserve and make available for use the University's permanently valuable records.

Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC)

The Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) Division holds and manages the majority of the Library’s rare books, maps, and manuscripts with a special emphasis on material related to the history of British Columbia and Western Canada.

POSITION OVERVIEW

RBSC and UA are pleased to post two Archivist (term) positions, one devoted to each of the two departments. One of these term appointments is designated to cover a leave replacement.

Working with other professional archivists on staff, the Term Archivists are responsible for the appraisal, arrangement, and description of materials currently in the RBSC and UA backlogs and participate in other records-related activities as appropriate.

These positions may also provide reference and instruction related to RBSC and UA collections; participate in the development of policies and procedures; and participate in Library committees and working groups, especially those related to RBSC and UA collections and services.

These positions report to the Head, Rare Books and Special Collections. Works closely with other professional archivists and support staff in the University Archives and Rare Books and Special Collections. As part of reference and instructional duties or during participation in working groups, the position may interact with faculty, students, staff, and the public. They will support archival projects involving Work Learn student assistants.

This position is in-person at a UBC location.

Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and on how to apply.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

These positions report to the Head, Rare Books and Special Collections. Works closely with other professional archivists and support staff in the University Archives and Rare Books and Special Collections. As part of reference and instructional duties or during participation in working groups, the position may interact with faculty, students, staff, and the public. They will support archival projects involving Work Learn student assistants.

DUTIES

COLLECTIONS

In conjunction with other professional archival staff, the Term Archivists are primarily responsible for processing archival materials in all formats (textual, photographic, audio-visual, and digital) currently held in the RBSC and UA backlogs. More specifically, the responsibilities of the Term Archivists include:

• Executes a large-scale processing project, with the goal of reducing the RBSC and UA backlogs by ca. 500 boxes over the course of the term.
• Evaluates, appraises, arranges, and describes RBSC and UA permanently valuable records in all formats including electronic records. Prepares, or oversees the preparation of, finding aids for current and backlog archival fonds and collections. Maintains, upgrades, and updates existing finding aids.
• Supports archival projects involving library assistants and Work Learn student assistants.
• In co-operation with other RBSC or UA employees and the Library Conservator, ensures the physical security, preservation, and conservation of RBSC and UA collections.

OUTREACH, REFERENCE, AND INSTRUCTION

Secondary duties of the Term Archivists may include:

• Provides reference and research services to a diverse population of UBC students, staff, and faculty, and members of the public for holdings at RBSC and UA spanning the archival, map, rare book, and ephemera collections.
• Organizes and teaches classes in the use of RBSC and UA resources, including use of the Library’s catalogue, the AtoM archival database, print and archival resources, and related e-resources.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LIBRARY LIAISON

• Performs other duties as necessary including participating in professional and University initiatives.
• Participates in Library committees and working groups, especially those related to RBSC and UA collections and services.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

• Works to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into professional practice.

• Contributes to the continued development of a library environment and culture that supports and celebrates EDI.

Supports EDI through professional development opportunities and maintains an awareness of EDI initiatives at the departmental, campus, institutional and provincial level such as UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• Masters-level degree with a specialization or concentration in archival science.
• Experience planning and executing the processing, arrangement, and description of archival materials.
• Experience working with library and archival material in all formats including textual records, audio-visual materials, digitized and born digital materials, printed books, maps, and ephemera.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in core archival functions and knowledge of library and archival descriptive standards, particularly the Rules for Archival Description (RAD), and with relevant library and archival management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team.
• Experience building productive relationships and working collegially with a diverse population of Library employees and users in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

PREFERRED

• Demonstrated experience working in a rare book or special collections library and/or academic archives environment with archival, map, rare book, and ephemera collections.
• Familiarity with current trends in instruction and best practices in learning pedagogies.
• Strong interest in and knowledge of British Columbia and Canadian history and current affairs, particularly the histories, cultures, and social development of early British Columbia.
• Knowledge of Canadian Copyright legislation and BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• Experience, course work, or knowledge of working with Indigenous materials, and awareness of relevant issues around culturally appropriate management of archival and library materials.
• Evidence of curiosity, ideas, creativity and innovation, pursuit of opportunities, and exploration of new initiatives.
• Experience or knowledge related to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into public services, instruction, collection development, and overall professional practice.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY

Appointment: This is a full-time, 12-month term appointment with an anticipated start date of September 2025.

The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/).

Eligibility: We are only considering applications from librarians with a maximum of 2 years of professional library experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.

Salary: Starting salary is $83,955 to $86,520 per annum. Actual salary offered will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, as well as internal parity. UBC also offers a comprehensive benefits package. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement: http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/

Benefits: Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources: https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups. Additional information about relocation to UBC Vancouver can be found: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/housing-and-relocation-services

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status and indicates the candidate's education, training and work experience in the areas listed above, as well as how did you hear about this opportunity. One consolidated PDF is preferred.