Job Details

Digital Archivist

Position Number: 6584140
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Libraries

Digital Archivist

Requisition Number: 67437
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 19-Oct-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) Libraries invites applications from collaborative and innovative candidates for the position of Digital Archivist! The Digital Archivist (teaching faculty, non-tenure track) is responsible for developing policies, workflows, and strategies that ensure access to and preservation of the libraries' digital archival materials. As a member of the Archival and Metadata Processing section, this position oversees the development of appraisal and acquisition policies and procedures and processes primarily born digital materials. This position will ensure consistency of standards and their usage in service of access to digital archival collections. The Digital Archivist manages the libraries' instance of Archive-It and integrates its digital assets with workflows affecting other collection platforms such as ArchivesSpace. This position also collaborates with colleagues in Digital Asset Management and Preservation to build sustainable workflows for digital preservation. The Digital Archivist monitors and assesses trends in emerging technologies and judiciously implements them to enhance and streamline various archival workflows.
As a member of the University Libraries faculty, the Digital Archivist will be expected to maintain a record of scholarly research/creative work, participate in professional service activities, and actively engage in faculty governance, in keeping with the tenure standards of the University of Colorado Boulder. This position has the opportunity to work in a hybrid capacity. This teaching professor-track faculty position reports to the Head of the Archival and Metadata Processing section. A typical annual merit formula for teaching professor-track faculty may be 70% librarianship, 10% scholarly and creative work, and 20% service. The Archival and Metadata Processing section is part of the Resource Description Services Team, part of the Research and Innovation Strategies Chapter. Please see the Libraries' organizational chart. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

MissionWe are a knowledge catalyst. We fuel inquiry, discovery, collaboration, creation, and the dissemination of knowledge. We welcome everyone, wherever they are on their educational journey.
VisionAn information-empowered world.
ValuesEmpower | Connect | Learn | Inspire
Our values define our interactions within the Libraries and radiate outwardly. This means that we develop a culture that compassionately and authentically embodies our values in all aspects of our work.
The University Libraries encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. As you review the qualifications, please think about how your qualifications are transferable if (at first) they do not seem directly related. Share how your skills translate in your cover letter. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every preferred qualification.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Develops, implements, and maintains workflows, policies, and standards relating to the processing and access of digitized and born digital materials in alignment with current trends in archival practices
Works with colleagues to establish selection and processing priorities and appropriate levels of description and access for born digital materials
Collaborates and advises on acquisition policy and develops procedures for the intake of born digital materials
Appraises and processes newly acquired and existing born digital materials for access through various platforms (e.g. ArchivesSpace, CU Digital Library)
Creates and maintains access points for digital materials, accounting for workflows, technologies, and user needs and concerns
Manages and curates the libraries' Digital Archives Lab for operational use in archival, digital forensic, and media migration workflows
Oversees and manages the libraries' program of web-based collecting and processing of relevant websites and integrates it with relevant library platforms
Collaborates on the development and implementation of digital preservation workflows
Collaborates with the colleagues to develop procedures and workflows to fulfill patron requests for born-digital materials
Assesses and implements emerging technologies for appropriate and measured usage in archival workflows
Pursues an active program of continuing education to remain current in archival standards and technology
Maintains a consistent record of professional service and research/creative work
Participates in building an inclusive campus environment
Participates in faculty governance

What You Should Know

This position is offered in a hybrid capacity. There will be an information session on October 6, 2025 from 11:00-11:45 am. At this information session, the search committee will share information about the Digital Archivist job search, working at CU Boulder, the teaching professor track, and answer attendee questions. A webinar link will be provided to registrants via email: Digital Archivist Information Session - LibCal - University of Colorado Boulder

What We Can Offer

The successful candidate will be appointed as a full-time (12-month) teaching professor-track faculty member at the Assistant Teaching Professor rank. The salary range for Assistant Teaching Professor is $71,000-$80,000. A candidate with seven or more years of professional experience may be eligible for the rank of Associate Teaching Professor with a starting salary range of $78,000-$84,000.
Relocation assistance may be available within University Libraries guidelines.
Faculty receive limited professional development funds annually.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited or equivalent institution;
Demonstrated understanding of and experience with archival theory and practice, national standards, and best practices that govern the arrangement, description, and use of archival materials such as DACS and EAD;
Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging practices for preserving digital forensic tools, programming and/or scripting language (e.g. Python, BASH, SQL);
Demonstrated experience or coursework working with technical and preservation metadata standards (e.g METS, PREMIS) and common data formats (e.g. XML, JSON);
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing workflows and procedures supporting transfer, arrangement, and description of digital material, and documenting these workflows;
Knowledge of confidentiality, copyright, and other policy, legal, and ethical aspects of managing and providing access to archival materials;
Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships, collaborate with and receive input from others while supporting a welcoming and inclusive environment;

What You Will Need

Willingness to stay current with trends in digital archiving theory and practice;
Potential for research, scholarly work, and professional service;
Knowledge of emerging technologies and their responsible use for managing archival collections, including digital repositories and digital preservation systems;

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume/CV
Cover letter of application specifically addressing qualifications for the position.

References will be requested at a later stage in the search process.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is recommended that applications be submitted by 11:59 pm on October 19, 2025, to receive full consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. Questions may be directed to George Karpoff, Search Coordinator, at George.Karpoff@Colorado.EDU.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Digital-Archivist/67437