Processing Archivist

Bowdoinham Country Store; Brunswick, Northern (ME, KY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan – 401(a) and 403(b)

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off: 20 days vacation + 12/1

Parental leave

Access to Bowdoin facilities

Professional archival training support

Job summary

Bowdoin College seeks a Processing Archivist to arrange and describe archival and manuscript collections across formats, with a focus on born-digital items in our backlog. The role emphasizes applying archival standards and inclusive description to survey, arrange, describe, and preserve materials.

Under the direction of the Archivist, you will create EAD-encoded, DACS-compliant finding aids in ArchivesSpace and oversee student assistants, ensuring accurate description and accessible access to

Qualifications

• Experience creating EAD-encoded, DACS-compliant finding aids.
• Oversee work of student assistants and delegate processing tasks.
• Knowledge of archival standards and inclusive descriptive practices.
• Familiarity with born-digital materials and processing.
• Ability to analyze legacy inventories and manipulate complex spreadsheets.
• Commitment to confidentiality and data security.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and describe archival and manuscript collections.
• Survey, arrange, describe, and preserve diverse formats (paper, photographic, audio-visual, born-digital).
• Create EAD-encoded, DACS-compliant finding aids in ArchivesSpace.
• Oversee student assistants and delegating processing tasks.
• Promote access to collections through archival organization and description.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Analytical

Discretion

Confidentiality

Inclusive description

Born-digital familiarity

Education

Master’s degree in library/archival science

Progress toward degree in archival management

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

Title

Title Processing Archivist

Posting Number

Posting Number S01584JP

Department

Department Library

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Archivist, the Processing Archivist works collaboratively within the department to arrange and describe archival and manuscript collections of varying formats, including paper, photographic, audio-visual, and born-digital materials. The Processing Archivist employs archival standards and best practices, including inclusive description, to survey, arrange, describe, and preserve a wide variety of archival collections with a focus on born-digital materials in our backlog that are awaiting description.

• The Processing Archivist is responsible for following local and national best practices to create EAD-encoded, DACS-compliant finding aids for these collections in ArchivesSpace.
• The Processing Archivist oversees the work of student assistants, delegating processing tasks as appropriate. The Processing Archivist provides excellent service to users by promoting and facilitating access to collections through archival arrangement and description.

COMPENSATION

• The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $61,500-$64,800

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool
• A Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library program or an advanced degree in a related discipline with formal professional archival training or apprenticeship; or, substantial progress towards degree requirements in one of these programs that includes successful completion of coursework on archival management and theory.
• Knowledge of current approaches to archival arrangement and description, including anti-racist archival theory and inclusive descriptive practices.
• Familiarity with current approaches to processing and describing born-digital holdings.
• Experience with detail-oriented work, including the ability to analyze and repurpose legacy inventories and manipulate complex spreadsheets.
• Evidence of ability to attend to accuracy, attention to detail and discretion, and the necessity for confidentiality.
• Knowledge of efficient archival processing practices and standards.
• Familiarity with principles of archival appraisal

Preferred:

• Knowledge of efficient archival process procedures and standards. Familiarity with principles of archival appraisal.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

Required:

• One year equivalent of archival processing experience, which can include paraprofessional, student, or internship experience. Facility with spreadsheets and databases, such as ILS or collections management database.

Preferred:

• Experience with an archival collection management system, such as ArchivesSpace.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

• This is an exempt position requiring time commitment necessary to satisfactorily complete job requirements.
• Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Schedules may vary to meet operational needs.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift

Shift N/A

Employment Category

Employment Category Full Time Year Round

FTE

FTE 1.00

Benefits Eligible

Benefits Eligible Yes

Pay Type

Background Check Package Requirements Faculty/Administrative

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off-road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No

Posting Date

Posting Date 08/14/2026

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting

Type of Posting Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

Supplemental Questions

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  (Open Ended Question)