Born Digital Student Assistant - Federal Work-Study Possible (Student Wage)

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Virginia in Charlottesville seeks a part-time Student Archives Assistant for the Small Special Collections Library. The role supports Archivists by locating born digital media in archives, using Excel and databases, and training on legacy imaging hardware.

Work is in an office setting with supervision. The position runs up to 10 hours weekly, starting 25 August 2026 and ending 14 May 2027, with the Harrison Small Building as the primary site.

Qualifications

• Federal Work Study preferred.
• Ability to handle rare and special materials with care.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Interest in digital media carriers, especially legacy formats (floppy disk, zip disk, CD-ROM etc.)
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to focus on task at hand and finish tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to lift 40 pound boxes and climb ladders occasionally.
• Ability to work independently as well as closely with others.

Responsibilities

• Examine and record information about born digital materials, including floppy disks, CDs/DVDs and other legacy formats.
• Assist with locating boxes of materials in the stack and retrieving and reshelving materials as necessary.
• Assist in searching for collections both via database and by hand to identify collections containing born digital media carriers.
• Extract files and run scans on floppy disks, CDs, and other Born Digital media carriers
• May participate in other special projects as assigned.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Attention to detail

Good communication skills

Ability to lift 40 pounds

Ability to work independently

Education

Current UVA student

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Student Archives Assistant in Small Special Collections Library, Harrison Small Building

Job Description Summary

This job involves supporting the work of Archivists in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. Duties will include locating and searching archival collections for born digital media carriers, working with spreadsheets in Excel, and searching databases to locate additional collections that might contain born digital media carriers. Work will also include training to work with legacy imaging hardware and imaging carriers as necessary. Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Job Description

Main Job Duties

• Examine and record information about born digital materials, including floppy disks, CDs/DVDs and other legacy formats.
• Assist with locating boxes of materials in the stack and retrieving and reshelving materials as necessary.
• Assist in searching for collections both via database and by hand to identify collections containing born digital media carriers.
• Extract files and run scans on floppy disks, CDs, and other Born Digital media carriers
• May participate in other special projects as assigned.

Work will be performed under supervision of an Archivist and training will be provided for skills/programs listed above.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• Federal Work Study preferred.
• Ability to handle rare and special materials with care.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Interest in digital media carriers, especially legacy formats (floppy disk, zip disk, CD-ROM etc.)
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to focus on task at hand and finish tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to lift 40 pound boxes and climb ladders occasionally.
• Ability to work independently as well as closely with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a special collections library or archive, or any library work experience.
• Familiarity with archival principles and practices.
• Data entry experience or experience working with databases.

Passing of a background check is required for this position

This position is available beginning 25 August 2026 through 14 May 2027 and is a part-time position (up to 10 hours a week)

Compensation: $16.71 per hour.

Work will be performed in person, primarily at the Harrison Small Special Collections building.

Working hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

For more information about the Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library, please visit http://small.library.virginia.edu/

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Current UVA student.
• Experience: None
• Licensure: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.