Processing Archivist

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 74,752 - 105,696; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Job summary

UCLA Library in Los Angeles seeks a Processing Archivist to lead processing and description of archival collections within Library Special Collections. The role emphasizes collaboration with curators, donors, researchers, and staff to ensure holistic stewardship and access.

Reporting to the Team Leader for Processing and CFPRT, the archivist will create finding aids, apply standards such as DACS, EAD, MARC21, and contribute to outreach activities including instruction and social media.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s in Library/Information Science required at hire or equivalent.
• Experience in archival processing, arrangement, and description.
• Experience managing metadata and mapping for archival collections.

Responsibilities

• Process new and existing archival materials in all formats.
• Create finding aids and archival descriptions using ArchivesSpace.
• Collaborate with curators, staff, donors, researchers and CFPRT.

Skills

Archival processing

Description standards

Metadata management

ArchivesSpace/Airtable

XML editing

Education

MLS or MLIS (ALA-accredited)

Advanced degree in information sciences

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Airtable

XML tools

Job description

Position title: Processing Archivist

Salary range: $74,752 - $105,696 (Assistant Librarian - Associate Librarian Ranks)

Position Overview

The UCLA Library seeks a highly collaborative and knowledgeable professional archivist to engage in processing and description of archival collections in Library Special Collections.

Position Duties

Reporting to the Team Leader for Processing and the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), the Processing Archivist has primary responsibility for processing activities, through thoughtful description and arrangement, and contributes to the department's efforts to provide holistic stewardship for all collections throughout their life cycle.

• Processes new and existing archival collection materials in all formats using ArchivesSpace.
• Creates finding aids and archival description using ArchivesSpace.
• Collaborates with curators, public services staff, acquisitions team members, graduate students in the Center for Primary Research and Training and other archivists, as well as donors and researchers.
• Collaborates with the Digital Archivist to develop and implement policies and workflows for the description of born‑digital materials.
• Applies and contributes to the ongoing development of efficient archival processing guidelines and procedures, including extensible processing principles.
• Utilizes DACS, EAD, EAC‑CPF, RDA, LCSH, and MARC21 standards in archival description.
• Contributes to department and library‑wide outreach and community engagement activities, such as instruction and presentations, reference services, and social media.
• Supports the CFRPT program and graduate students carrying out archival discovery and access projects.
• Collaborates with colleagues in Preservation and Conservation for long‑term stewardship of archival materials.
• Makes professional contributions to activities related to archives and special collections at UCLA and at regional or national levels.
• Works independently and collaboratively to achieve goals set forth by the position.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be committed to engagement with and promotion of the UCLA Principles of Community and the True Bruin Values.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• ALA‑accredited Master's Degree in Library or Information Science required at the time of hire; OR Master's degree (or other advanced degree) in Information Sciences or related field at the time of hire and work experience in a library setting.
• Experience in archival processing, arrangement, and description.
• Experience applying efficient processing techniques, in arranging, describing, and preserving archival collections and preparing finding aids for collections of varying size, condition, content, and complexity.
• Knowledge of archival principles, responsible collection stewardship, as well as best practices for efficient processing and archival description.
• Experience managing metadata for archival collections, including data standardization, remediation, and repurposing metadata for reuse, as well as an understanding of metadata mapping.
• Experience with or interest in expanding knowledge of ArchivesSpace, Airtable, or other archival information management systems.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge, understanding, and desire to engage with current developments, trends, and technologies in special collections.
• Ability to stay abreast of privacy, confidentiality, copyright, and related policies associated with acquisition, access, and use of archives and special collections materials.
• Knowledge of archival processing theory and approaches for manuscripts and archives.
• Experience in communicating effectively with diverse communities and donors.
• Experience with scheduling, project planning, management, completion, and project assessment.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Strong research, project management, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and be self‑motivated.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative team‑based environment.
• Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness for the LSC accessioning program and within UCLA Libraries and the campus.
• Familiarity with the Guidelines for Efficient Archival Processing in the University of California Libraries, OCLC's Total Cost of Stewardship toolkit, and other models that promote ethical and iterative approaches to description and access.
• Demonstrated experience in archival processing in a variety of formats.
• Experience with XML editing tools.
• Experience providing reference to special collections users.
• Knowledge of a language other than English.

Benefits

Professional librarians at UCLA are academic appointees. Librarians at UCLA are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC‑AFT). This is a represented position. Represented librarians are entitled to appropriate professional leave, two days per month of vacation leave, one day per month of sick leave, and all other benefits bargained in the collective bargaining agreement. The University has an excellent retirement system and sponsors a variety of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans in addition to other benefits. Relocation assistance may be provided. Appointees to the librarian series at UC shall have professional backgrounds that demonstrate a high degree of creativity, teamwork, and flexibility. Such background will normally include a professional degree from an ALA‑accredited library and information science graduate program. In addition to professional competence and quality of service within the library in the primary job, advancement in the librarian series requires professional involvement and contributions outside of the library, and/or university and community service, and/or scholarly activities. Candidates must show evidence or promise of such contributions.

Location

Los Angeles, CA

EEO Statement

Under federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States as established by providing documents specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Employment is contingent upon completion of satisfactory background investigation.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.