Processing Archivist - PA2469

Stella Contracting, Inc; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stella Contracting, Inc. is seeking a Processing Archivist to join our team on a full-time contract basis. The role focuses on managing archival collections, preserving historical records, and improving access to materials both physical and digital.

You will work with library staff and researchers, establish finding aids and inventories, ensure proper preservation, and support digitization projects. Remote or hybrid options may be available depending on access needs and policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archival Studies, History, Library Science, Information Science, Records Management, or a related field.
• 2–3 years of archival processing, library collections, records management, or information administration.
• Knowledge of archival arrangement, description, cataloging, and preservation practices.
• Experience maintaining inventories, metadata, finding aids, or digital collection records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital documentation tools.
• Familiarity with archival databases, collection management systems, or digital repositories preferred.
• Strong research, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written communication and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate documentation, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Receive, evaluate, and organize archival materials, historical documents, manuscripts, and institutional records.
• Arrange and describe collections according to established archival standards and procedures.
• Create and maintain finding aids, inventories, catalog records, and collection descriptions.
• Assess preservation requirements and ensure archival materials are handled and stored appropriately.
• Maintain accurate collection databases, metadata, and processing documentation.
• Support digitization projects by preparing materials and verifying digital records.
• Identify missing information, preservation concerns, and inconsistencies in archival documentation.
• Collaborate with library staff, researchers, records managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Retrieve and prepare archival materials for authorized research and reference requests.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow applicable collection access and records management policies.
• Monitor processing schedules and ensure assigned archival projects meet established deadlines.
• Recommend improvements to archival workflows, cataloging practices, and collection management procedures.

Skills

Research skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Written communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archival Studies or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Archival databases

Collection management systems

Digital repositories

Job description

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Processing Archivist to join our team on a full-time contract basis. The Processing Archivist will be responsible for managing archival collections, preserving historical records, developing collection documentation, and improving access to physical and digital materials. The ideal candidate will have strong research, organizational, and information management skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records and support long-term preservation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, evaluate, and organize archival materials, historical documents, manuscripts, and institutional records.
• Arrange and describe collections according to established archival standards and procedures.
• Create and maintain finding aids, inventories, catalog records, and collection descriptions.
• Assess preservation requirements and ensure archival materials are handled and stored appropriately.
• Maintain accurate collection databases, metadata, and processing documentation.
• Support digitization projects by preparing materials and verifying digital records.
• Identify missing information, preservation concerns, and inconsistencies in archival documentation.
• Collaborate with library staff, researchers, records managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Retrieve and prepare archival materials for authorized research and reference requests.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow applicable collection access and records management policies.
• Monitor processing schedules and ensure assigned archival projects meet established deadlines.
• Recommend improvements to archival workflows, cataloging practices, and collection management procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Archival Studies, History, Library Science, Information Science, Records Management, or a related field.
• 2–3 years of experience in archival processing, library collections, records management, or information administration.
• Knowledge of archival arrangement, description, cataloging, and preservation practices.
• Experience maintaining inventories, metadata, finding aids, or digital collection records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital documentation tools.
• Familiarity with archival databases, collection management systems, or digital repositories preferred.
• Strong research, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written communication and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate documentation, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Compensation & Contract Benefits

Annual Contract Rate: $85,000–$120,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities.

Schedule

Full-time contract, approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

Contract Duration

Initial contract assignment with potential for extension or renewal based on performance and business needs.

Work Arrangement

Remote or hybrid options may be available, depending on collection access requirements and organizational policies.

Professional Development

Opportunities for archival training, preservation workshops, digital records education, and continuing professional development.

Career Growth

Build expertise in archival processing, digital preservation, collection management, and information governance.

Collaborative Environment

Work with archival, research, library, and records management teams to support the preservation and accessibility of valuable information resources.

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.