Digital Archivist

Code4lib; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Charlottesville, VA is seeking a Digital Archivist for a term position. The role involves managing digital and digitized archival assets, collaborating on metadata strategies, and processing collections. Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree in Library Science, up to 4 years of relevant experience, and a strong understanding of digital archival practices. The position offers a salary range of $65,000 to $69,000 and requires full on-site work.

Qualifications

• 0-4 years of experience in archival work.
• Hands-on experience processing born-digital materials.
• Strong understanding of digital archival standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage all born-digital and digitized archival assets.
• Process digitized and born-digital collections.
• Collaborate on metadata strategies for enhancing access.

Skills

Experience with born-digital archival materials

Knowledge of archival description standards

Familiarity with web archiving tools

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

Master’s degree in Library Science or relevant graduate degree

Tools

ArchivesSpace

APTrust

Job description

Overview

Historical Collections and Services at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library seeks applications for a Digital Archivist. This is a term position, renewable for up to three years.

Historical Collections and Services is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the history of the health sciences at the University of Virginia and around the world. The department collects materials in any format it can sustainably steward, with current priorities focused on documenting the history of UVA Health.

Reporting to the Alvin V. and Nancy Baird Curator of Historical Collections, the Digital Archivist will be responsible for managing all born-digital and digitized archival assets. The Digital Archivist will process digitized and born-digital collections, utilize ArchivesSpace to create and publish finding aids and digital objects, create and implement digitization workflows in accordance with national standards, help identify materials for digitization, and perform legacy processing as needed. The Digital Archivist will collaborate on metadata strategies to enhance access and discoverability of online guides and digitized content and assist with the department’s web archiving program. As time permits, the Digital Archivist will curate online exhibitions that showcase and create new access points to Historical Collections’ holdings.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and service-oriented team dedicated to making collections accessible, engaging, and understandable for a wide range of patrons. They will actively participate in professional development opportunities and stay current with best practices, standards, and trends in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for born-digital records issues and solutions in Historical Collections.
• Prepare and package digital content for preservation in APTrust.
• Arrange and describe hybrid and born-digital archival collections in ArchivesSpace.
• Develop and maintain documentation of digital archival processing workflows and tools.
• Appraise and assist with transfers of hybrid and born-digital collections, in consultation with the Curator.
• Assist with the Historical Collections web archiving program, in collaboration with the Archivist.
• Produce digital scans of archival materials as part of the department’s reference services.
• Maintain awareness of emerging standards, technologies, and practices in digital archives and apply them to improve workflows and systems.
• Collaborate with colleagues across UVA Libraries and the institution to align practices and share expertise.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency substitution: Bachelor’s + 4 Years relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: 0-4 years experience.

Licensure: None.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of professional experience working as an archivist, with hands-on experience processing born-digital materials.
• Knowledge of archival strategies such as MPLP, particularly as applied to born-digital content.
• Familiarity with tools and software used to capture, manage, transfer, and deliver born-digital records, including web archiving systems.
• Knowledge of archival description and preservation standards such as DACS, EAD, METS, and PREMIS, as well as other related metadata standards.
• Substantial experience creating metadata using a variety of controlled vocabularies used in linked data.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical considerations in digital archives and digitization activities in a higher education setting, including acquisition, access, and intellectual property.
• Ability to work effectively in both collaborative team environments and independently.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The role may require traveling to attend meetings and programs.

Compensation and Status

The anticipated hiring range is $65,000 - $69,000, commensurate with education and experience. This is an exempt-level, benefited position.

This is a restricted position, dependent on funding and funding availability (term up to three years). The position is based in Charlottesville, VA and must be performed fully on-site.

How to Apply

Please apply online by searching for requisition number R0076763. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Apply through your Workday profile by searching “Find Jobs.”

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. For questions about the application process, please contact Jeremy Brofft, Senior Recruiter at [e-mail].

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

Contact: Jeremy Brofft, Senior Recruiter at [e-mail].

Published: Friday, September 26, 2025 02:05 UTC