Archival Assistant

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

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking an Archival Assistant to support the daily operations of the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies within the Archives & Special Collections Department at the Andersen Library. You will assist with sorting, arranging, describing, and housing LGBTQ+ archival materials and help with donor engagements and offsite events in the Twin Cities.

In this part-time role, you will work up to 14 hours weekly during standard library hours, collaborate with professional

Qualifications

• High school diploma or 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 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) while remaining flexible for events both on and off campus.

Responsibilities

• Sorting, arranging, and housing historical materials, following directions of professional staff (50%).
• Pulling and reshelving materials for use by researchers and collections staff (20%).
• 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%).

Skills

Basic office skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Google Drive

Event coordination

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in History, American Studies, Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies, or related field

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.