Digital Archivist

Working at the University Library puts you at the very heart of the nation's oldest state university. With an enduring commitment to the people of North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill is the number 4 ranked public university in the country and the 10th-ranked university for federal research funding.

At the University Library, you are part of a welcoming, open library community that advances research, teaching, healing and creativity on campus and far beyond. Here, we strive to create an environment of respect and collaboration, where vision and innovation can flourish.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The University Libraries aspires to set the standard for public university research libraries in the digital age.
As one of the premier libraries in the South, we are an essential partner in the research, education, clinical care, and public service missions of UNC-Chapel Hill. The library system includes 10 on-campus Libraries, with nearly 10 million volumes, rich archival collections, and a growing investment in digital collections.
The University Libraries serves campus and broader communities that reflect the socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious diversity of the state of North Carolina, and we maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and open educational and workplace climate for all. We strive to create an environment of respect and collaboration where vision and innovation can flourish. Learn more about our Strategic Framework - including our pillars, values, and priorities by visiting https://library.unc.edu/about/strategic-framework/'.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Digital Archivist ensures that born digital special collections are successfully accessioned, preserved, and made accessible. The position reports to the Head of Archival Processing and works collaboratively across the units in Wilson Special Collections Library as well as with Library IT and other stakeholders. The Digital Archivist works with University Library colleagues to establish and maintain policies and procedures related to born digital archives.

Working closely with special collections curators, the Digital Archivist participates in the review and appraisal of potential born digital acquisitions in all formats including images, oral histories, documents, and other born digital, archival collections materials. They coordinate the intake of newly acquired born digital archives in consultation with the Technical Services Archivist for Collection Management and Digital Repository Services staff. This work will include migrating digital collections from physical media such as floppy disks, optical discs, and portable hard drives, employing appropriate tools to scan for viruses and personally identifiable information, verifying formats, and other intake actions.

This position directs the digital intake lab in Wilson Special Collections Library. They develop, maintain, document, update, and adapt workflows for intake and review of digital collections and ensure that the lab has necessary hardware and software. They train and oversee graduate students and establish processes for library colleagues to use the digital intake lab.

In close collaboration with special collections curators, the Digital Archivist coordinates web and social media archiving efforts in Wilson Special Collections Library. This work includes training other staff members on the library's web archiving tools, including Archive-It, evaluating the effectiveness of current web archiving work, and investigating and recommending new or additional approaches to web archiving.

Requires the Masters in Library Science ( MLS) degree (or foreign degree equivalent). In specialized libraries, may substitute an advanced degree in the field of specialization (e.g., legal degree for a law library, or a history degree for a special historical collection within the library setting).

ALA-accredited master's degree in library or information science or advanced degree in archives administration, preservation, digital curation, or other relevant field.
Recent work experience appraising, preserving and providing access to digital collections.
Demonstrated understanding of standards and best practices in digital archives for formats typically found in special collections including born digital images and audiovisual items
Experience with installation and management of common tools for macOS and Windows used for digital archives intake and processing such as Brunnhilde, BulkExtactor, ePADD, and rsync. Experience with package managers such as HomeBrew and Pip as well as managing peripheral hardware relevant to digital archives work.
Demonstrated understanding of archival description theory and practices.
Ability to plan, manage, and complete multiple, concurrent projects, and communicate issues that affect plans, policies, and procedures in a timely fashion.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with varied user communities, including students, faculty, researchers, colleagues, and community members.

Supervisory experience.
Experience with research and implementation of strategies for normalization and migration of file formats.
Knowledge of or interest in post-custodial approaches to digital archives.
Experience with technical workflow development and maintenance.
Experience with web archiving strategies and tools.
Experience creating archival description for born digital materials.
Experience using repository systems and storage infrastructure such as Fedora or Hyrax.
Digital Archives certificate from the Society of American Archivists.
Experience communicating digital archives concepts and requirements to IT and non-IT stakeholders.
Enthusiasm for sharing works in-progress and contributing to broader library and archives community

Regular weekday onsite reference shifts required. Occasional nights and weekends required. Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is possible. Occasional travel required.

For a more detailed vacancy announcement, please visit:

A minimum of three references are required upon application submission.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.