Archivist & Content Writer

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan options

Job summary

The Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota is seeking a temporary part-time employee to assist in compiling and writing the history of food and nutrition. The role involves archival research, collecting oral histories, and creating narratives for external communications, reporting to the Communications & Advancement Professional.

Hybrid work environment with approximately 5 hours per week, lasting one semester with potential renewal.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Formal training, demonstrated experience, or a degree in Journalism, Communications, History, or a related field.
• Familiarity with food science, nutrition, agriculture, or related fields/disciplines.
• Strong writing and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with the Google Application Suite (Docs, Drive, Forms, etc.)

Responsibilities

• 30% Meeting with Profile Subjects to conduct interviews and collect oral histories.
• 20% Working with University Archives and additional historical materials to gather and preserve relevant information.
• 50% Writing narratives and other content types that tell the story of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, our community members, and the disciplines of food and nutrition at the University of Minnesota.

Skills

Writing

Organizational skills

Interviewing

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Formal training in Journalism, Communications, History, or related field

Tools

Google Docs

Google Drive

Google Forms

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 375497

Location: Twin Cities

Job Family: Supplemental Employee

Full/Part Time: Part-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 0005

Employee Class: Civil Service

About the Job

The Department of Food Science and Nutrition is seeking applicants for a temporary position to
assist in compiling and writing the history of food and nutrition at the University of Minnesota.
This project will primarily involve searching through University archives and historical materials,
collecting oral histories of alumni and retirees, and synthesizing this information into a historical
narrative for use on external communications platforms (social media, website, etc.). The successful candidate will report to the FScN Communications & Advancement Professional to coordinate efforts and produce content deliverables.

Work Environment: Hybrid

Expected Work Schedule
Approximately 5 hrs/week
Bi/weekly update meeting with Project Manager
Flexibility to meet with profile subjects (Zoom or in-person)
All other duties (writing, archiving, etc.) are subject to individual's preference
This position will last one semester with potential to renew

Primary Responsibilities

• 30% Meeting with Profile Subjects to conduct interviews and collect oral histories
• 20% Working with University Archives and additional historical materials to gather and preserve relevant information
• 50% Writing narratives and other content types that tell the story of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, our community members, and the disciplines of food and nutrition at the University of Minnesota

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Formal training, demonstrated experience, or a degree in Journalism, Communications, History, or a related field
• Familiarity with food science, nutrition, agriculture, or related fields/disciplines
• Strong writing and organizational skills
• Proficiency with the Google Application Suite (Docs, Drive, Forms, etc.)

Preferred

• Familiarity with the University of Minnesota, CFANS, and/or the Department of Food Science and Nutrition
• Experience working with archival information and data collection
• Experience interviewing subjects for storytelling or producing oral histories
• Experience creating or editing visual media (photos, graphics, video, etc.)
• Experience with radio or audio storytelling

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $25.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

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.

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, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.