POSITION TITLE:   Digital Processing Archivist                       

 

CLASSIFICATION: Library Associate 2

 

REPORTS TO:         Head of Collection Services 

 

SALARY:       $51,884 minimum salary; The Smathers Libraries offer a salary commensurate with experience and credentials. 

 

The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package including health, retirement, paid time off, discount programs, professional development and worklife support. Learn more.

 

PLEASE NOTE:      This is a time-limited position that will last 2 years from the start of employment.

 

JOB NUMBER:                    536665 (Apply online)

 

DEADLINE DATE:  September 2, 2025 - applications will be reviewed as received

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Digital Processing Archivist completes born-digital transfer, digital processing, and other collection service activities to maintain and ensure preservation of and access to digital materials in the Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (SASC). SASC is home to special and rare print materials, maps, archives, and manuscripts, as well as interdisciplinary collections pertaining to geographical, national, or cultural regions. In collaboration with Head of Collection Services, the Digital Processing Archivist is responsible for establishing and maintaining strategy, policies, procedures, and best practices for long-term access and preservation of digital content and collections. The Digital Processing Archivist collaborates closely with collection managers and other SASC personnel, as well as the Libraries’ technology, metadata, preservation, and digital personnel, on SASC digital archiving needs and support.

 

The Digital Processing Archivist will oversee and support the transfer of born-digital files from physical media and oversee the creation of metadata and ingest of digital collections to ensure preservation and access. In addition, the Digital Processing Archivist will act as the resource person for SASC regarding best practices for managing donated digital materials and metadata management for digital objects to enable search and discovery of collections online and in-person. The Digital Processing Archivist will also oversee the processing of collections of digital and/or hybrid format types as well as the arrangement, preservation, and creation of comprehensive descriptions for those collections. Priority collections include political papers, the papers of prominent Floridians, University of Florida records, the papers of former UF Presidents, and materials pertaining to Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Transfer, Ingest, and Processing

• In collaboration with the Head of Collection Services, consults with collection managers on the transfer of born-digital collections including physical and non-physical media.
• In collaboration with the Head of Collection Services, consults with collection managers on the arrangement and description of born-digital archives including the creation of descriptive inventories and metadata.
• Advises on record conversion, including recommendations for file formats, file naming and storage, and digitization requirements among other best practices.

• Works to manage and reduce digital processing backlog.
• May hire, train, and/or supervise regular staff and/or OPS and student staff.

 

Digital Archives Management

• Manages specialized hardware and software on SASC’s digital processing workstations that transfer content from various physical storage media to the digital processing backlog. 
• Creates and/or updates policies and procedures for born-digital transfer, processing, preservation, format migrations, and access, including the use and management of ArchivesSpace, BitCurator, and University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). 
• Works with UF Library Technology Services (LTS) to maintain and upgrade software and hardware. 
• Works with SASC colleagues to use archival theory and computational thinking to brainstorm and experiment with creative approaches to appraising, managing, and preserving born-digital archives, particularly at scale.

 

Social Media and Web Archiving

• Collaborates with the Head of Collection Services and collection managers on setting vision and direction for accessing SASC web archives. 
• Builds upon current policies and procedures for web archiving, preservation, and access, including the use and management of Archive-It. 

• Creates procedures for capturing and maintaining archives of social media accounts, including but not limited to those from X (Twitter) and YouTube. 

 

Other Duties as Assigned

• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned. 

• Serves on relevant departmental and library committees or working groups and undertakes professional development appropriate for position. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS

We value a range of experience and perspectives. Applicants are encouraged to communicate in their application materials and subsequent interview conversations how their work and other experiences satisfy the following qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

 

Required:

High School diploma or equivalent and seven years of library, or relevant experience; or an Associate’s degree and five years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and one year of relevant experience; or any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education.

 

Preferred:

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in library, information, and/or archival science. 
• Knowledge of the archival functions of appraisal, arrangement and description, and the additional procedures that ensure the authenticity, integrity, and security of born-digital content.
• Experience implementing digital tools, methods, and approaches used in digital preservation and curation. 

• Experience with relevant software, such as BitCurator, Archive-It, Archivematica, ArchivesSpace, ContentDM, Rosetta, or Preservica. 

• Knowledge of preservation metadata schemes such as EAD, DACS, Dublin Core, PREMIS and METS, as well as models like the DCC Curation Lifecycle Model, and OAIS. 

• Experience with command-line interfaces, scripting languages, relational databases, and web applications, including their APIs. 
• Experience in an archival repository at an academic institution. 
• Ability to train and supervise student employees. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to SASC.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on multiple projects and priorities. 

• Demonstrated ability, willingness, and desire to learn new things and take initiative in a rapidly changing academic and technological environment. Familiarity with systems and methodologies for born-digital transfer and digital processing. 
• Familiarity with web archiving applications and methodologies for the acquisition of web content, including social media. 

 

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL AND AREA STUDIES COLLECTIONS

The Dept. of Special and Area Studies Collections combines the Libraries’ traditional special collections with its premier area and cultural studies collections. Special Collections holds the primary source research collections of the University of Florida, which include the Harold and Mary Jean Hanson Rare Book Collection, the P. K. Yonge Library of Florida History, the Popular Culture Collection, the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature, the University of Florida Archives, and manuscript collections supporting the different special and area studies collections. Area Studies is comprised of the Latin American Collection, the African Studies Collection, the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica and the Asian Studies Collection.    Together, the collections contain over 750,000 volumes, more than 50,000 rolls of microfilm, over 8000 linear feet of manuscript and archival material, and a growing presence of unique digital holdings. The collections provide direct support to academic programs at the University of Florida while also supporting research in a variety of academic fields and disciplines for an international community of scholars.

 

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES

The libraries at the University of Florida form the largest academic information resource system in the state of Florida with seven libraries and two off-campus facilities. The George A. Smathers Libraries are comprised of six campus libraries and off-site facilities. In addition to this system, the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center is part of the Levin College of Law. The Libraries hold over 6.27 million print volumes, 1.5 million e-books, over 197,000 full-text journals, over 1000 electronic databases, 1.3 million documents, and 1.4 million maps and images. Distinctive holdings include the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature and the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History. The Libraries maintain partnerships and participate in a variety of collaborative, international projects while engaging with the UF community. We are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and other regional library consortia.

 

The library staff consists of more than 300 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The George A. Smathers Libraries are strong advocates for inclusion and intellectual freedom. The Libraries’ commitment to both is articulated in the Inclusion and Intellectual Freedom Statements. Support for professional development is central to the Smathers Libraries.  Supports include a formal mentoring program, a robust training program, release time for research and professional service, a comprehensive grants program, and funding for professional development travel.

 

Libraries Land Acknowledgment

The Smathers Libraries acknowledge that the main (Gainesville) campus of the University of Florida is located in the ancestral territory of the Potano and later the Seminole peoples. The Smathers Libraries acknowledge its obligation to honor the past, present, and future Native residents and cultures of Florida.

 

The University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) was named the #1 public university in the country by the Wall Street Journal in its “2024 Best Colleges in the US” report and is also currently among the “Top Ten Public Universities” in the U.S. News and World Report and seventh in Forbes “Colleges that Deliver a High Bang for Your Tuition Buck” (2023). The University of Florida (UF) is the state of Florida’s preeminent university, as well as the state's oldest and most comprehensive university. UF is among the nation's most academically diverse public universities and is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. UF has 16 academic colleges offering a variety established programs for students seeking to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition to attracting over $1.25 billion in research expenditures last year, UF Faculty foster a uniquely collaborative environment that transforms potential into actual results. UF is one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 60,000 students. A snapshot of the student body diversity statistics is available online from UF Institutional Planning and Research. Learn more about the University of Florida and what makes us great.

 

Benefits

University benefits for this position include retirement plan options, insurance benefits, paid family leave (parental and medical), tuition fee waiver program, and employee assistance program, as well as paid time off and holidays. Gainesville, Florida, has no state or local income tax.

 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The University of Florida is an equal employment employer and is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs. We’re committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent by valuing diversity of thought, skill, and experience. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe in fostering environments where team members feel included, valued for their differences, and empowered to do their best work. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirement under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.

 

If an accommodation due to a hearing or speech disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 University of Florida Human Resources or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD).

 

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY

Gainesville and the surrounding community are home to approximately 280,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Beautiful natural areas, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers, are a boon for outdoor adventurers. Museums, music festivals, and major performing arts institutions round out the community's rich cultural heritage.   The city is just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Gainesville is an award winning and innovative city, friendly to both professionals and families. The Guide to Greater Gainesville combines award winning photography and compelling articles that capture all the reasons for calling Gainesville your next home. The City of Gainesville is a progressive municipality that seeks to promote racial equity. The area has numerous opportunities for participating in community athletics and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two-hour drive.  

           

            Application Process

To apply, submit

• a cover letter detailing your interest in, and qualifications for this position
• your current resume or CV
• a list of three references including their contact information (telephone number and email address)

 

Apply by 11:55 pm (EST) on the application close date via the Jobs at UF online application system at Job Number 536665. Applications will be reviewed as received. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please contact Tina Marie Litchfield, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at tlitchfield@uflib.ufl.edu.