Digital Project Archivist

Digital Project Archivist 

Special Collections & Archives, University Library

Salary: $70,000 - $78,000/annually

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm. This position is eligible for benefits. This is a temporary appointment expiring 18 months from the date of hire, with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon availability of funds. 

Program and Position Description:

The Project Archivist is a grant-funded, term-limited position responsible for the comprehensive digitization and accessibility of the Compton Communicative Arts Academy Collection (approximately 4,791 photographic materials) housed in the Cal State LA Special Collections and Archives. The archivist will ensure the long-term preservation of both the physical and digital collection, create high-quality metadata for discovery, and manage critical copyright and permissions work. This role is central to a community-centered initiative, focusing on the preservation, access, and description of the collection. This role reports to the Project Manager and will supervise the Student Archivist.

Applicants must have experience working with digital collections in an archives, special collections, or comparable setting, including experience with scanning workflows, metadata standards, and management of digital assets (may include as an intern, volunteer, or student worker). The ideal candidate will have direct experience with digital management access systems and with Dublin Core metadata standard.

The Digital Project Archivist position is funded through the Getty Foundation, Black Visual Arts Archive Program. For more information about the project visit the Cal State LA University News.

Specific Duties

• Oversee all aspects of the digitization and metadata project for the Compton Communicative Arts Academy Collection.
• Lead and supervise the work of a Student Archivist, providing guidance and support.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager and community partners to integrate their input into metadata and project outcomes.
• Digitize and color-correct photographic materials in adherence to Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI) 2016 Edition standards.
• Create and apply comprehensive metadata using the Qualified Dublin Core standard.
• Ensure the existing finding aid for the collection is complete and accurate.
• Prepare and publish digital images on Cal State LA's Digital Repository for harvesting by Calisphere and the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA).
• Negotiate copyright and permissions with the Compton Communicative Arts Academy Collection family/affiliated individuals.
• Work directly with community partners to incorporate their perspectives and knowledge into the project.
• Manage the secure digital preservation of archival masters using both cloud-based storage and an on-site RAID system.
• Assess the physical collection for preservation needs, including rehousing materials as necessary.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Library Science (MLS), Archival Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated experience with digitization workflows and standards, such Dublin Core and EAD.
• Experience with archival software and content management systems, such as ArchivesSpace and LUNA.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills. 
• Familiarity with digital preservation standards, tools, and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience processing and managing digital archival collections.
• Experience in a special collections, archives, or similar cultural heritage environment.
• Knowledge of and commitment to community-centered archival practices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience managing digitization projects, especially with photographic materials (slides, negatives, and prints).

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with copyright, permissions, and rights management in an archival context.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students.
• Knowledge of physical preservation techniques for photographic materials.

The incumbent must demonstrate an interest or ability in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the UAS. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current UAS employees who apply for the position.

Review of applications/resumes will begin November 24, 2025   and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications/resumes are received. A cover letter and resume are required.

UAS hires only those individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Americans with Disabilities (ADA) requested accommodations should be made in advance to the UAS Human Resources Department.

Cal State LA University Auxiliary Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.