Digital Archivist (We are no longer accepting applications for this role)

Position number: 00062148

NC State University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Digital Archivist in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) collects, describes, preserves, and provides access to unique, rare, and historical information in support of the teaching, learning, and research mission of the campus community and beyond. Distinctive collections focus on areas such as the history of the university; agriculture and forestry; the history of computing and computer simulation; design; animal rights and animal welfare; veterinary medicine; zoological health; textiles; engineering; environmental justice; and rare books in related subject areas. This department is innovating archival services and collections through increasingly digital collections, inventive projects and user-focused services. The department collaborates with colleagues across the Libraries to explore and develop technology-enabled solutions for efficient processing, archival discovery, and long-term sustainability of collection materials.
 
The SCRC maintains a culture of collaboration, with a focus on supporting opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. The Digital Archivist will advance library services through contributing to the management and processing of collections and by maintaining and advancing departmental descriptive standards, tools, and workflows.
Responsibilities
The position is responsible for managing the daily operations of digital archival processing, including building and maintaining documentation in support of a sustainable digital preservation program. They coordinate the integration of digital special collections and archival materials into collection processing, discovery, and access; and contribute to longer term sustainability, discovery, and access of the Libraries’ digital rare and unique collections. They collaborate with colleagues in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) and across the Libraries to advise on community and researcher needs, and digital preservation strategies for supporting student success. The position explores technologies for technical processing, discovery, and access—especially pertaining to new and emerging collection materials—and leads the exploration of emerging areas for supporting web archiving initiatives. They also supervise and train student, temporary, and full-time staff working on digital materials.
 
This position is based in North Carolina. This position is eligible for flexible hours with a hybrid work environment, based on departmental and operational needs. This position will require frequent onsite work.
Required Qualifications
  • ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, or other relevant, advanced degree
Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the qualifications below in ways that may not be obvious, including how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position qualifications and needs. We strongly encourage and welcome applicants with a range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests to apply for this position, including those new to the profession.
  • Knowledge of processing and description of born-digital materials
  • Experience with tools for acquiring and assessing born-digital materials, including command-line applications and programs used for disk imaging, virus and privacy scanning, and file format identification
  • Knowledge of basic preservation standards and collection care for digital materials
  • Familiarity with accessioning and processing physical archives/special collections materials
  • Understanding of privacy, confidentiality, and copyright issues regarding special collections materials
  • Experience of computational thinking, as well as familiarity with operating systems and computer file systems
  • Ability to foster an environment of belonging and well-being
  • Ability to communicate clearly and knowledgeably
  • Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively both as a team member and independently and to promote teamwork among colleagues
  • Evidence of ability for ongoing professional development and contribution
Preferred Qualifications
It is not required that candidates meet any of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. The following skills represent some of the areas in which this position could potentially grow and focus, based on the incumbent’s background and interests.
  • Experience supervising temporary, part-time, or full-time staff
  • Project management experience
  • Experience with web archiving capture and management tools
  • Familiarity with scripting languages, such as Python or Ruby
  • The Libraries, the University, and the Area

    The NC State University Libraries has been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including the first Association of College and Research Libraries Excellence in Academic Libraries Award, the ACRL Librarian of the Year Award; the Stanford Prize for Innovation in Research Libraries and the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Building Award for the Hunt Library; the National Medal for Museum and Library Service; two John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards; and Library Journal's Librarian of the Year, Paraprofessional of the Year, and 16 Movers and Shakers awards. The library system consists of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, and branch libraries for design, natural resources, and veterinary medicine. With a staff of more than 250 FTE, the Libraries has more than 3.2 million titles in its collection and has a total annual budget of over $30 million. The Libraries is the host site for NC LIVE, a multi-type library initiative making digital resources accessible to North Carolina residents. The Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Digital Library Federation, the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), the Council for Library and Information Resources (CLIR), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), and the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN).

    The NC State University Libraries has a longstanding commitment to fostering and sustaining a welcoming and supportive environment and service ethic. The Libraries collections also reflect this commitment, from focused collecting efforts across disciplines to locating, capturing, and preserving community voices through archival research and practice. The Libraries has worked to build and attract and pipeline of talent into the profession through Fellows Program and through participation in a variety of initiatives sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), and other professional organizations and partnerships. The Libraries sponsors many community-centered programs and activities and cultivates an atmosphere where all students, faculty, and staff are welcomed, valued, and respected.

    North Carolina State University was founded with a purpose: to create economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the country. From its beginnings as a land-grant institution to its current position as a pre-eminent research enterprise that excels in science, technology, engineering, math, design, the humanities and social sciences, textiles, and veterinary medicine, NC State students, faculty, and staff take problems in hand and work with industry, government, and nonprofit partners to solve them. As the largest academic institution in the state, NC State enrolls over 40,000 students, offering more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through 68 departments. The university is ranked third among all public universities (without medical schools) in industry-sponsored research expenditures, with over 2,500 U.S. patents issued and over 650 products brought to market.

    North Carolina's Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill lies between the mountains of the Blue Ridge and the shores of the Outer Banks. The Triangle consistently ranks high on lists of desirable American communities. In 2023, Forbes ranked NC State University as one of the top employers in North Carolina. And in 2024-25, the Raleigh and Durham metro area was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the sixth-best place to live among 150 United States cities.

Salary and Benefits

The Libraries offers a highly competitive salary in recognition of applicable education and experience for this position. Minimum salary: $69,000 annually. Librarians have non-tenure track faculty status (without levels of rank). Benefits include: 26 days vacation, 12 days sick leave; State of NC preferred provider medical insurance, and state, TIAA/CREF, or other retirement options. Additional and optional dental, life, disability, deferred compensation, and legal plans are offered. Tuition waiver program for all campuses of The University of North Carolina is available. More benefits information is available at https://benefits.hr.ncsu.edu. In addition, the Libraries offers generous support for ongoing professional development and training.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt; applications will be accepted until finalist candidates are selected. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to receive full consideration. The Libraries anticipates virtual first-round interviews with finalist interviews happening in person. Appointment requires successful completion of background check. This position is available immediately; start date is negotiable. Applicants must apply through the NC State University online employment website at https://jobs.ncsu.edu. Search in the keyword box by position number 00062148. Complete application, attach cover letter and résumé, and provide contact information for four current, professional references. For assistance with this process, please contact Libraries Administration at (919) 515-7188.

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (919) 515-3148.

Last Updated

8/11/2026

Nomination Committee

Position number: 00062148

Information for Interviewers