Geophysical Collections Archivist

University of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement options

Annual leave

12 paid holidays per year

Tuition waivers for employees and/or a

Vision care coverage

Job summary

The University of Alaska invites applications for an in-person archival assistant in the Keith B. Mather Library on the Fairbanks campus.

Responsibilities include processing diverse archival collections, organizing materials, and enhancing discoverability for researchers and the public. You will provide research support, assist with digitization, and work with library staff to ensure accurate metadata and accessible collections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in geosciences with archival experience preferred.
• Master of Library Science or Museum Studies with archival focus preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process archival collections: organize, describe, preserve, and improve accessibility.
• Provide research assistance and facilitate access to collections.
• Contribute to digitization projects, including metadata creation for digital surrogates.
• Collaborate with library staff and the director on day-to-day tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Research assistance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in geosciences

Master of Library Science or Museum Studies (archival focus)

Job description

Do you enjoy working with historical scientific data or archival collections? Do you have an interest in the geophysical sciences or in organizing and creating access to important geophysical resources? Then we have a job for you!

The Keith B. Mather Library is the northernmost research library in the United States, located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Troth Yeddha campus. The library serves the geoscience research community as well as the general public, providing both physical and digital geoscience collections and resources. The Mather Library is an integral part of the Geophysical Institute (GI), where the breadth of geoscientific research includes the atmospheric sciences; remote sensing; seismology & geodesy; snow, ice, & permafrost; space physics and aeronomy; tectonics & sedimentation; and volcanology. This research represents long-term data collection, research spanning the GI’s entire 74-year history, as well as contemporary cutting-edge research. The library’s archival collections are invaluable records of and resources for these research areas, and it is imperative that these are well organized, maintained, preserved, and made accessible to both the research community and the general public.

This is an in-person position located in the Keith B. Mather Library at the Geophysical Institute at UAF. Your job will focus on processing archival collections of various formats, including organization, description, preservation, accessibility, and discoverability. Additionally, you will provide research assistance, facilitate access to archival collections, and contribute to outreach and programming to promote these collections. You will participate in digitization initiatives, including metadata creation for digital surrogates, and work collaboratively with library staff and the director on day-to-day tasks as needed. The Mather Library strives to create and maintain a welcoming and collaborative environment for employees and visitors, and you will be an integral part of the library’s team.

The Geophysical Institute is a research-focused organization at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The university offers a competitive work environment with strong benefits, including retirement and health insurance, generous leave policies, and tuition waivers for UAF courses. The Geophysical Institute values collaboration, accountability, and the exchange of ideas. We foster a professional and respectful environment dedicated to serving Alaska through applied science. Career growth and professional development are supported and encouraged.

As a public, regional, comprehensive university, UAF welcomes applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

To thrive in this role, you will have demonstrated experience working with archival collections, particularly with the arrangement and description of archival materials. Ideally, you would have a working knowledge in one or more areas of the geosciences– atmospheric sciences or glaciology is preferred. You will need exceptional attention to detail and the ability to maintain accuracy and focus during extended periods of detailed work, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. A willingness to learn new technologies, tasks, and procedures will allow you to succeed and grow in this position.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree, ideally within the geosciences, with at least 1 year of relevant experience in archives/special collections arrangement and description.

Preferred: Master of Library Science or Museum Studies with a focus on archival collections.

Position Details

This position is full-time, Grade 78, term-funded, non-exempt, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA staff salary schedule, based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position will be physically located at the UAF campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. The successful finalist will be expected to report to duty at the UAF office on the first day of employment.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [e-mail].

The University of Alaska reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at University of Alaska facilities. Remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the discretion of the University. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or where required by the job duties of the position.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [e-mail]/907-786-1214 or [e-mail].

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [e-mail].

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing [e-mail].

The University of Alaska (UA) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.