Archivist ll

Tuskegee University; Tuskegee (AL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Tuskegee University is seeking an Archivist II to professionally manage and preserve its archival and special collections. You will organize, describe, digitize, and provide access to historical materials documenting the University’s history and programs.

The role involves independent work on projects, collaboration with departments, researchers, alumni, and community members to promote access and awareness of the University’s collections.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science, Archival Studies, History, or related field.
• 3–5 years of professional archival experience with collections, records management, or metadata.
• Supervisory or lead-worker experience including student workers or grant staff.
• Leadership in a research library, higher education, or archive environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage acquisition, appraisal, processing, preservation, digitization, and reference use of archival materials.
• Lead projects; coordinate with departments, faculty, students, researchers, and community.
• Train and supervise student workers, interns, volunteers, and grant-funded staff.
• Assist researchers; provide tours and respond to research questions.
• Develop metadata, workflows, and improve discoverability of digital collections.

Skills

Organizational skills

Archival principles

Research & retrieval

Digitization & preservation

Project leadership

Supervisory experience

Metadata standards

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Master’s degree in library and information science, Archival Studies, History, or related field

Tools

Archives management systems

Databases

Job description

Position Information

Position Title

Job Summary

The Archivist II is responsible for the professional management, preservation, organization, description, and accessibility of Tuskegee University’s archival and special collections. The position supports the acquisition, appraisal, processing, preservation, digitization, and reference use of historical records and materials documenting the history, mission, programs, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and significant activities of the University.

The Archivist II works independently on assigned archival projects and collaborates with university departments, faculty, students, researchers, alumni, and community members to promote access to and awareness of the University’s historical collections.

• Report directly to the Director of Library Services, Archives, and Museums, including weekly meetings, progress reports, and needs assessments.
• Collaborate with the Archives Department to survey collections and select artifacts, images, and/or documents for processing and digital access initiatives, based on an appraisal of each item’s historical significance and the ability to use existing finding aids, indices, transcripts, and databases to enhance archival records.
• Perform additional research as necessary to establish context for events related to the lives of enslaved people; consult outside sources and other archival documents as necessary to identify and describe related people and places.
• Serve as a project lead to manage project progress, ensure that projects meet deadlines, lead planning sessions, and conduct periodic reviews to report on project progress; manage internal and external stakeholder relationships, optimize workflows and processes as needed.
• Train and supervise student workers, interns, volunteers, and grant-funded positions, and establish their respective work plans.
• Answer research questions submitted to the archives covering a variety of topics related to Tuskegee University and its surrounding community.
• Assist researchers who visit the archives for research purposes. Provide tours and interpretation to the local and global community. Assist the university’s president and cabinet with research requests.
• Identify and assist in drafting grants that enhance the conservation, preservation, and digitization work of the archives.
• Oversee the digitization and preservation of digital materials, ensuring they are accessible and well-maintained.
• Work closely with staff and other departments to ensure the effective management and use of digital resources.
• Support the design, implementation, and assessment of digital humanities projects, including digital exhibits, scholarly databases, and interactive platforms.
• Develop and maintain digital workflows, metadata standards, and documentation for all digital initiatives. Create and/or supervise the creation of metadata, controlled vocabularies, and authority records.
• Improve discoverability and user experience for digital collections by enhancing descriptions and interface design.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate archival materials into digital humanities pedagogy and classroom instruction.
• Build partnerships with community organizations, HBCUs, cultural institutions, and scholars. Coordinate symposia, lectures, and archives-related events.
• Create, maintain, and apply retention schedules that dictate how long records (physical and electronic) must be kept based on legal, fiscal, and operational requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science, Archival Studies, History, or a related field, with a concentration or coursework in archival administration preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience working with archival collections, records management, and/or applying metadata standards, including demonstrated experience processing complex or large-scale collections.
• Demonstrated supervisory or lead-worker experience, including training and overseeing student workers, interns, volunteers, or grant-funded staff.
• Leadership experience in a research library, higher education institution, gallery, archive, museum, or technology organization.

Physical Demands

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Status

Status Full-Time

Skills and Attributes

• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
• Knowledge of archival principles, procedures, and preservation practices
• Ability to catalog, classify, and arrange archival materials
• Research and information-retrieval skills
• Proficiency with databases, electronic records, and archival management systems
• Attention to detail and accuracy when handling historical records
• Ability to digitize, scan, and preserve documents and photographs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized and dependable
• Detail-oriented and thorough
• Patient when working with large collections and historical materials
• Professional and respectful when handling sensitive or valuable records
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Posting Number

Will this position required travel?

Yes

Will this position required night, weekend, and after hour work?

Yes

Will this positon be supported using grants or contract funding?

No

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Open Date 09/10/2026

Close Date

Close Date 11/30/2026

Open Until Filled No