Archival Assistant

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota Libraries’ Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies seeks an Archival Assistant to support daily operations, including arranging, describing, rehousing, and research support for LGBTQ+ collections. The role involves processing, donor engagement, and event support in the Twin Cities metro, with occasional offsite duties.

The position is part-time up to 14 hours per week during library hours and not eligible for H-1B sponsorship; requires a high school diploma, basic office

Qualifications

• High school diploma or the equivalent required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in speaking and writing.
• Attention to detail in repetitive tasks and filing.
• Familiarity with Google Drive (docs, sheets, slides).
• Ability to work up to 14 hours per week during business hours.

Responsibilities

• Sort, arrange, and house archival materials following professional staff guidance.
• Pull and reshelve materials for researchers and staff use.
• Support public events including setup, teardown, and community engagement.
• Assist with collections pick-up and donor engagement within the Twin Cities metro.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Office skills

Google Drive

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree (preferred) in History/GLBT studies

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Google Drive

Job description

Job ID: 376163

Job Family: Supplemental Employee

Full/Part Time: Part-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 0005

Employee Class: Civil Service

Location: Twin Cities

About the Job

An Archival Assistant supports the daily operations of the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies housed in the Archives & Special Collections Department of the University of Minnesota Libraries in the Elmer L. Andersen Library. Reporting to the Tretter Collection Curator, Archival Assistants aid in collecting, arranging and describing, and reshelving archival materials pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community, including collection pick-up and archival collection processing and rehousing, and researcher support. Archival Assistants also provide support to public and community events organized by the Tretter Collection both onsite and offsite within the Twin Cities metro. Additionally, an Archival Assistant might assist with research and reference, exhibitions, social media content, or publishing projects as needed and in alignment with the skills and past experiences brought to the position.

Must be regularly able to work up to 14 hours per week in the Andersen Library during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) while remaining flexible for events both on and off campus.

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Sorting, arranging, and housing historical materials, following directions of professional staff (50%)
  • Physical arrangement of archival materials into acid-free archival housing
  • Creation of EAD finding aids for collections in ArchivesSpace
• Pulling and reshelving materials for use by researchers and collections staff (20%)
  • Physical lifting of boxed archival materials and movement of the materials using carts
• Supporting public events including event set-up, tear-down, and community engagement (20%)
• Collections pick-up and engagement with archival donors within the Twin Cities metro area (10%)
  • Travel with Tretter Collection Curator to collect archival materials
  • Engagement with archival donors offsite from the UMN Campus

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or the equivalent
• Basic office skills (filing, alphabetizing, sorting, accurate typing)
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective communication in speaking and writing
• Attention to detail in an environment with repetitive tasks
• Familiarity with Google Drive, including docs, sheets, and slides
• Must be regularly able to work up to 14 hours per week in the Andersen Library during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) while remaining flexible for events both on and off campus.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in History, American Studies, Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies, or related field
• Ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills, multi-tasking, and independent decision making
• Familiarity with LGBTQ+ historic, culture, and politics
• Experience conducting archival research

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation (if applicable):

• Able to perform essential physical demands includes, but is not limited to: frequent standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping/bending, and reaching
• Frequently moving boxes up to 50lbs on and off shelves and pushing anywhere from 1-9 boxes on library carts.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $22.50/hour

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.