ARCHIVIST

Arizona State Government; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Vacation with 10 paid holidays peryear

Parental leave — up to 12 weeks per yr

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance and long-term disabilty

Optional benefits: short-term disable,

Job summary

The Arizona Historical Society in Tucson, AZ seeks two archivists to manage the full lifecycle of archival materials, from acquisition to description, preservation, and reference. The role supports in-person and remote access and contributes to policies and outreach.

Responsibilities include processing, digitization requests, education/outreach, supervising internships, and maintaining finding aids and catalogs; candidates should align with public service and scholarship goals.

Qualifications

• Experience with processing archival collections and creating finding aids.
• Ability to provide access to collections in person and remotely.
• Experience coordinating digitization requests and preservation activities.

Responsibilities

• Reference services for in-person and remote access; manage reading room policies.
• Process archival materials: arrange, describe, preserve, and prioritize new/backlog items.
• Coordinate graduate internships or volunteer projects.
• Assist with maintaining library catalogs and finding aids on agency sites.
• Participate in outreach, education sessions, and public programming.

Skills

Archival knowledge

Public service

Research methods

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Master’s degree in Library Science (archives focus)

Master’s degree in Archival Studies/Archives Administration

Master’s degree in History

Tools

Catalogs & finding aids

Job description

ARIZONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Arizona Historical Society is a nonprofit organization and state agency established in 1864. AHS connects people through the power of Arizona’s history. AHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Arizona’s past through museum exhibitions, libraries and archives, historic sites,
educational programs, and the Journal of Arizona History. AHS seeks to be the driving force strengthening Arizona’s communities by promoting history through leadership, partnership, and scholarship.

Job Location:

Address: 949 East 2nd Street,
Tucson, Arizona 85719

Posting Details:

Salary: 22.00 per hour

Grade: 19

Closing Date: October 5, 2026

Job Summary:

The Arizona Historical Society is seeking TWO (2) dedicated ARCHIVISTs. This position is responsible for the cycle of a collection from the initial acquisition of records with significant historical and research value in any format (print, photograph, sound, moving images, digital) to the arrangement, description, cataloging, preservation, and providing reference for these materials. The Archivist will participate in providing access to the collections both in person and remotely; participate in the development of Library & Archive Section policies and procedures; assess processing priorities, assist with monitoring the status of physical facilities, identify cost saving measures and sharing resources; enhance public service wherever possible; assist with maintaining agency records; contribute to data collection and analysis; identify, evaluate, recruit and train volunteers and interns, represent AHS on various internal, local and regional committees, participate in outreach, plan reading room and on-line exhibits, collaborate in developing L&A brochures/materials; and contribute to the mission, goals and strategic plan.

Job Duties:

• Reference services, respond to references, both on and off site and remotely; and coordinate security, policies, procedures and schedule of the Reading Room.
• Coordinate digitization of archival collections in response to paid duplication requests from external stakeholders, as well as requests from internal departments; and contribute content to agency online and social media initiatives.
• Participate in education and outreach programs, including developing and conducting instruction sessions, participation in community events.
• Processing archival collections; prioritize, arrange, describe, and preserve new and backlogged collections.
• Identify and supervise graduate internships and/or volunteer projects.
• Assists with growth development, promotion, and access to AHS Collections, including maintaining library catalog, and finding aids, and other resources on agency websites.
• Professional Development; internal, local, or national committee work; and engage in research, scholarly publication, or other professional service activities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• General archival principles, methods and standards of practice;
• Reference principles and best practices;
• Arizona/Southwest History;
• Principles of information architecture;
• Archival instruction.

Skills in:

• Working with the public and contributing to a customer service team;
• Using library and archival tools, such as catalogs and finding aids to conduct research;
• Problem solving and responding productively to unanticipated changes and assignments.

Ability to:

• Move from working independently to working with a team;
• Prioritize resources and time to meet deadlines and benchmarks;
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, continuing education, and public service;
• Proposing creative solutions within budgetary constraints;
• Demonstrate track record for engagement with various constituencies, internally and externally.

Selective Preference(s):

• Master’s degree in either Library Science with archives focus from ALA accredited program;
• Master’s degree in Archival Studies or Archives Administration;
• Master’s degree in History.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.

Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Rose Ibe at [e-mail].