Archivist, University Archives in Vancouver

The University Archives (UA) serves as the central repository for recorded data in all formats created by, for, and about the University of British Columbia. The University Archives’ mandate is to identify, select, preserve and make available for use the University’s permanently valuable records.

Reporting to the Head of Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives, the Archivist, University Archives is responsible for the development and delivery of archival services supporting the University’s permanently valuable records. The Archivist leads the identification, acquisition, appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, and provision of access to archival materials in all formats. The role includes collaborating with the Records Management Archivist to establish transfer procedures and workflows aligned with Board of Governors’ policies and long-term preservation requirements. The Archivist provides leadership in the development of archival policies and negotiates acquisitions of private records from faculty, administrators, and affiliated organizations.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the creation and maintenance of standards-based finding aids.
• Reviewing collections and services to reflect the diversity of the University community.
• Supervising physical collections management and storage.
• Coordinating reference, instruction, collections development, and outreach activities.
• Promoting archival holdings through exhibitions and other initiatives.
• Preparing grant applications and developing partnerships.
• Supervising staff and student workers as required.
• Participating in library and campus committees, professional organizations, and the University community.

This position works closely with professional and support staff in the Records Management Office, Rare Books and Special Collections, and UBC Okanagan Special Collections and Archives. They may be required to supervise student employees and library staff.

Qualifications Required:

• Masters-level degree with a specialization or concentration in archival science.
• Experience in planning and executing the processing, arrangement, and description of archival materials.
• Experience working with archival material in all formats, including textual records, audio-visual materials, digitized and born digital materials, publications, maps, and ephemera.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in core archival functions and knowledge of archival descriptive standards, particularly the Rules for Archival Description (RAD), and with relevant archival management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team.
• Experience building productive relationships and working collegially with diverse populations of employees and patrons.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience working in an academic or public archives environment with a range of materials.
• Experience with Records Management life-cycle management and records retention schedules.
• Demonstrated experience with Canadian Copyright legislation and BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• Strong interest in and knowledge of British Columbia and Canadian history and current affairs.
• Experience, course work, or knowledge of working with Indigenous materials.
• Familiarity with current trends in instruction and best practices in learning pedagogies.
• Knowledge/experience with library management systems and library descriptive standards.
• Evidence of curiosity, ideas, creativity, innovation, pursuit of opportunities, and exploration of new initiatives.
• Experience or knowledge related to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into public services, instruction, collection development, and overall professional practice.

Terms of Appointment and Salary:

This is a full-time confirmation-track appointment with an anticipated start date of January 2027. The successful candidate will hold an initial three-year appointment, normally followed by an ongoing confirmed appointment. In most cases confirmation-track appointments are reviewed following the second year of appointment.

Benefits:

Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children.

Equity and Diversity:

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence.

Accessibility:

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.