Processing Archivist

NKU Beta Gamma Sigma • Highland Heights, KY

38d

About The Position

Under the direction of the University Archivist (Head of Special Collections and University Archives) the Processing Archivist for Special Collections and University Archives is responsible for the accessioning, arrangement, description, preservation and accessibility of the university's archival and manuscript collections. This position supports both the University Archives and Special Collections by managing physical and digital collections, providing reference and instructional services, contributing to digital initiatives, collaborating with campus partners to preserve and promote the history of Northern Kentucky University and the surrounding region. The Archivist also assists in administering the University's Records and Information Management (RIM) Program by supporting records transfers, records stewardship, and outreach to university departments. In addition, the position supervises student employees and fellows, providing training, project oversight, and experiential learning opportunities that support departmental initiatives. Working closely with the Head of Special Collections & University Archives, this position contributes to strategic initiatives that expand access to collections, strengthen records stewardship, support teaching and learning, enhance digital stewardship, and increase campus and community engagement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MUS), Public History, Archival Studies, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in archives, special collections, records management, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. A bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible, directly applicable experience may be substituted for the master's degree.
• Coursework in archives, archival administration, records management, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory, principles, and best practices, including records lifecycle management, appraisal, accessioning, arrangement and description, preservation, and access.
• Knowledge of records management principles, including records lifecycle concepts, retention schedules, legal and regulatory compliance, records appraisal, and information governance.
• Experience processing archival and manuscript collections using current professional standards, including DACS, EAD, controlled vocabularies, and archival collection management systems such as ArchivesSpace.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, donors, and community partners.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with digital preservation, born-digital records, digitization workflows, and archival technologies, including archival content management systems, digital asset management systems, digital repositories, and discovery platforms such as ArchivesSpace, Preservica, DSpace, Omeka, or similar systems.
• Experience working in an academic library, university archives, special collections, or cultural heritage institution.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or training student employees, interns, graduate assistants, or volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and describe archival collections following archival standards including DACS and other applicable descriptive practices
• Create, edit, and maintain collection records and finding aids in ArchivesSpace.
• Process university records, manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, and born-digital collections.
• Conduct preservation assessments and recommend appropriate rehousing and conservation measures.
• Manage accessioning workflows and documentation.
• Coordinate the acquisition and transfer of university records documenting the history and operations of Northern Kentucky University.
• Maintain documentation related to university archival collections and records transfers and destructions.
• Assist in implementing and supporting university records management initiatives.
• Collaborate with university departments to identify records of enduring historical value.
• Assist with digitization initiatives and digital preservation workflows.
• Contribute to digital exhibits and online access initiatives
• Support quality control for digitized materials and associated metadata
• Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating 1-3 student employees supporting the work of Special Collections &University Archives.
• Trains student employees in archival processing procedures and standards, including arrangement and description, collection handling, rehousing and preservation practices, inventory creation, metadata entry, and the use of archival collection management systems.
• Assigns and monitors student processing projects, provides ongoing guidance and feedback, and reviews completed work to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to departmental standards and professional archival practices.
• Provides students with opportunities to develop practical experience in archival work while ensuring that assigned projects support SCUA's processing, preservation, and access priorities.
• Assist with exhibits, public programming, and outreach initiatives highlighting SCUA collections.
• Collaborate with library colleagues on instructional workshops and campus engagement activities.
• Promote awareness and use of archival collections through presentations and events.
• Contribute content for library communications and digital platforms.
• Assist with reference services for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external researchers, including helping researchers in locating and interpreting archival resources.
• Participate in maintaining statistics related to collections, instruction, and reference services/public access.
• Contributes to departmental planning, projects, and initiatives that support the mission and strategic priorities of SCUA and Steely Library.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level