What are the responsibilities and job description for the Digital Humanities Archivist position at usm-pilot?
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please note: The DH Archivist is a two-year grant funded position.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the
United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The
University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
Job Summary
The Digital Humanities (DH) Archivist provides strategic leadership for the Mississippi Digital Humanities Hub, the Mississippi Digital Library (MDL), and University Libraries’ digital initiatives. This position directs large-scale digitization and digital preservation projects, develops statewide metadata and preservation policies, and advances external funding opportunities through grant leadership. The DH Archivist supervises staff and student workers, represents MDL and the Hub at state, regional, and national levels, and plays a key role in shaping digital strategy, partnerships, and visibility for the University and its collaborators.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- The Digital Humanities Archivist directs the growth of the Mississippi Digital Library (MDL) through statewide partnerships, outreach, and professional engagement. This role represents MDL and the Digital Humanities Hub at state, regional, and national levels by chairing committees, presenting at professional conferences, and building strategic networks. The Archivist also advises library leadership on digital strategy, digital humanities initiatives, and metadata policy to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
- The Archivist leads large-scale digitization and digital preservation projects in collaboration with partner institutions, ensuring adherence to national standards and long-term sustainability. This includes supervising digitization and metadata assistants to maintain consistency and quality across collections. The role develops and implements statewide best practices for digital humanities metadata, digital preservation, and interoperability while staying current with evolving national and international standards.
- A key responsibility of the position is to lead grant development efforts, including writing proposals, administering funded projects, and preparing reports for funders and leadership. The Archivist oversees project budgets, ensures compliance with funding requirements, and communicates progress to stakeholders to secure ongoing external support for digital initiatives.
- The DH Archivist supervises staff, graduate assistants, and student workers engaged in digitization, metadata creation, and technical support. The role also serves as the primary technical and strategic advisor for subcontracted digital humanities projects, providing guidance to ensure interoperability, sustainability, and long-term visibility. Additionally, the Archivist offers mentorship and professional development opportunities to staff and partners to strengthen expertise and capacity in digital preservation.
- The Archivist elevates the visibility of MDL and the DH Hub through public presentations, media engagement, and statewide partnerships. By leading outreach efforts to cultural heritage institutions, the role fosters new collaborations and supports the growth of digital initiatives across Mississippi. The Archivist also advances the reputation of MDL and the Hub through scholarly publications, professional presentations, and active participation in national and regional professional communities.