Archivist, University Archives

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

UBC Library's University Archives is seeking an Archivist to lead the development and delivery of archival services for the University’s permanently valuable records in all formats. You will oversee finding aids, description, preservation and access, and collaborate on transfer procedures with Records Management.

With a Master’s in archival science and strong RAD knowledge, you will manage collections, supervise staff, coordinate reference and outreach, and participate in university committees

Qualifications

• Master's degree in archival science required.
• Experience planning and executing processing, arrangement, and description of archival materials.
• Experience with textual, audiovisual, digitized and born-digital materials.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of archival descriptive standards (RAD) and archival management systems.
• Ability to initiate and carry out projects independently or in a team.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee creation and maintenance of standards-based finding aids.
• Review collections and services to reflect campus diversity.
• Supervise physical collections management and storage.
• Coordinate reference, instruction, collections development, and outreach.
• Prepare grant applications and develop partnerships; supervise staff and students.
• Participate in library/campus committees and professional organizations.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Project planning

Collaboration with diverse populations

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Independent and team work

RAD standards knowledge

Education

Master's degree in archival science

Tools

Archival management systems

Job description

Job Title Archivist, University Archives

Job Category Faculty

Job Family Group Academic Department UBC Library I Rare Books and Special Collections (Katherine Kalsbeek)

Job End Date Ongoing

Posting End Date November 22, 2026

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

The expected pay (or pay range) for this position is $8034.92 to $13,659.08 per month.

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.

LIBRARY BRANCH/UNIT

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.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Head of Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives, the Archivist, University Archives is responsible for the development and delivery of archival services supporting the University’s permanently valuable records. The Archivist, University Archives leads the identification, acquisition, appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, and provision of access to archival materials in all formats. The role includes collaborating with the Records Management Archivist to establish transfer procedures and workflows aligned with Board of Governors’ policies and long-term preservation requirements. The Archivist, University Archives provides leadership in the development of archival policies and negotiates acquisitions of private records from faculty, administrators, and affiliated organizations.

Responsibilities include overseeing the creation and maintenance of standards-based finding aids, reviewing collections and services to reflect the diversity of the University community, and supervising physical collections management and storage. The position also coordinates reference, instruction, collections development, and outreach activities, and promotes archival holdings through exhibitions and other initiatives. Additional responsibilities include preparing grant applications, developing partnerships, supervising staff and student workers as required, participating in library and campus committees, professional organizations, and the University community. This position works closely with professional and support staff in the Records Management Office, Rare Books and Special Collections, and UBC Okanagan Special Collections and Archives. They may be required to supervise student employees and library staff.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Masters-level degree with a specialization or concentration in archival science.
• Experience in planning and executing the processing, arrangement, and description of archival materials.
• Experience working with archival material in all formats, including textual records, audio-visual materials, digitized and born digital materials, publications, maps, and ephemera.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in core archival functions and knowledge of archival descriptive standards, particularly the Rules for Archival Description (RAD), and with relevant 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 diverse populations of employees and patrons 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 an academic or public archives environment with a range of materials.
• Experience with Records Management life-cycle management and records retention schedules.
• Demonstrated experience with Canadian Copyright legislation and BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• 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.
• Experience, course work, or knowledge of working with Indigenous materials, and awareness of relevant issues around culturally appropriate management of archival and library materials.
• Familiarity with current trends in instruction and best practices in learning pedagogies.
• Knowledge/experience with library management systems and library descriptive standards.
• Evidence of curiosity, ideas, creativity, 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 confirmation-track appointment with an anticipated start date of January 2027. The successful candidate will hold an initial three-year appointment, normally followed by an ongoing confirmed appointment. In most cases confirmation-track appointments are reviewed following the second year of appointment, and a recommendation is made at that time to grant or not to grant an ongoing confirmed appointment. 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 5 years of professional library experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.

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

Equity and diversity

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. The University of British Columbia's primary language of instruction and research is English. Accordingly, individuals are required to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Accessibility

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].