Academic
Job Category
Faculty Bargaining
Job Title
Digital Archivist
Department
UBC Library I Rare Books and Special Collections (Katherine Kalsbeek)
Posting End Date
August 20, 2025
Note:Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Starting salary is $83,955 to $86,520 per annum. Actual salary offered will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, as well as internal parity.
Digital Archivist
University Archives, UBC Library | Vancouver Campus
Full-time, Confirmation-track Librarian
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2025
UBC LIBRARY
As one of the world's leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.
We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.
The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the Xwi7xwa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Over 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.
The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our aspirational values that we strive to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).
Learn more about the UBC Library Strategic Framework and about working with us.
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
The University Archives serves as the central repository for recorded data in all formats created by, for, and about the University of British Columbia. Its mandate, according to Board of Governors Policies GA4 & GA5, is to identify, select, preserve, and make available for use these permanently valuable University records.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Head of Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives, the Digital Archivist is responsible for implementing the Archives Digital Preservation Policy Framework and showing, leading, and growing a digital archives program for UBC Library. Working with the University Archivist, the Digital Archivist appraises, acquires, arranges, describes, preserves, and makes available records of archival value. Specific emphasis will be placed on digitized and born-digital records received through the records management program as well as University departments, schools, administrative offices and private donors. The Digital Archivist provides reference service to researchers wishing access to archival holdings and to digital records particularly. They also write and recommend policies and procedures for the use, storage, and preservation of digital records. Similarly, the Digital Archivist works with staff in Rare Books and Special Collections to appraise, acquire, arrange, describe, preserve, and make available digital records of archival value within RBSC’s acquisitions mandate. The Digital Archivist also works with staff in Digital Programs and Services in web archiving – that is, the preservation of institutional websites and related web-based content, which forms part of the University’s institutional record. The Digital Archivist also supervises staff and student workers as required; participates in library and campus committees, professional organizations, and the University community; and provides general reference services.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
This position reports to the Head of Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives and works closely with records management staff. The Digital Archivist works closely with professionals and support staff in Rare Books and Special Collections and in Digital Programs and Services. They will liaise with staff elsewhere in the library and around the University regarding digital archives and digital preservation matters.
DUTIES
In conjunction with other archivists and records management staff at UBC, and in close association with staff in Rare Books and Special Collections and Digital Programs and Services, the Digital Archivist is responsible for the development and delivery of archival services with respect to born-digital and digitized records, and for establishing, implementing, and leading an archival digital preservation policy framework for the Library. More specifically, the responsibilities of the Digital Archivist include:
- Identification, acquisition, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation of, and access to the University’s permanently valuable records in all formats with an emphasis on digitized and born-digital records.
- Works closely with records management staff to test and establish procedures and workflows for the transfer of institutional records, including email, for long-term preservation in accordance with Board of Governors Policies GA4 and GA5.
- Negotiates for the acquisition of private records of faculty members and administrators, research collections, and the records of other organizations closely affiliated with the University, with an emphasis on digitized and born-digital records.
- Works closely with Rare Books and Special Collections staff in the acquisition and preservation of digitized and born-digital records within their acquisitions mandate.
- Works closely with Digital Programs and Services staff in archiving institutional web content and on digital preservation matters in general.
- Assists in the formulation and implementation of programs for the creation of digital archives and associated metadata.
- Recommends policies and workflows for accessioning, describing, preserving, and accessing born-digital materials, while guaranteeing their authenticity.
- Liaises and co-operates with other Library staff of diverse backgrounds on projects and issues of mutual interest, regarding digitization and the administration and preservation of digital records.
- Oversees the creation and maintenance of finding aids for digital materials held in the University Archives that conform to evolving national and international standards, while ensuring that they reflect the diversity of the University community.
- Provides general reference service to a diverse population of UBC students, staff, and faculty, and members of the public, in a prompt and courteous manner.
- Periodically reviews existing collections, programs, and services, focusing on digital materials and services, to ensure they reflect the diversity of the University community.
- Promotes the value of archival holdings in general, and born-digital and digitized archival holdings, as well as archival services, by means of publicity, publications, and exhibitions.
Supervision and Administration
- Supervises physical collections management and storage.
- Coordinates services or projects such as reference, teaching and instruction, collections development and management, web presence, subject guides and/or information guides, etc.
- During assigned periods may be responsible for Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives facilities. Supervises library assistants, Work Learn, professional experience, and other student assistants, and project contractors carrying out specific work on archival collections.
- Works to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into professional practice, such as public services, instruction, collection development, and collection processing.
- Contributes to the continued development of a library environment and culture that supports and celebrates EDI.
- Supports EDI through professional development opportunities and maintains an awareness of EDI initiatives at the departmental, campus, institutional and provincial level such as UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan.
Professional Development and Scholarship
- Accepts responsibility for continuing professional education and development.
- Willingly develops and maintains skills, and assumes appropriate leadership relevant to the position.
- Keeps current with developments in the fields of archival science and records management, specifically with respect to born-digital and digitized records, and maintains contact with other professionals in the field through archival and records management associations and meetings.
- Participates in appropriate professional organizations.
- Engages in professional development, scholarly and service activities under the terms of the Collective Agreement.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Masters-level degree with a specialization or concentration in archival science.
Experience working with archival material in all formats especially born-digital and digitized documents in both current and non-current digital formats.
Experience collecting, preserving, and providing access to born-digital and digitized records.
Experience in core archival functions and knowledge of the Rules for Archival Description (RAD) and with relevant library and archival management systems.
Knowledge and experience in digital preservation theory, standards, tools, and best practices including technical requirements for digital preservation.
Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, reliability, and willingness to learn new technologies and organizational systems.
Evidence of strong professional communication skills, including: written and verbal, in-person and online, active listening, responding to constructive feedback.
Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment and engage with professional and library assistant staff and the public.
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
Practical experience with digital transfer, preservation, and access tools, including but not limited to, Archivematica, AtoM, BitCurator, MoveIt, and Archive-it.
Practical experience with learning and using programming languages (e.g, Python).
Practical experience with digital archival transfer of institutional records via retention schedules.
Practical experience with email transfer and associated tools (e.g., Emailchemy, ePADD).
Experience with web archiving and/or website development standards (e.g., Archive-It, Browsertrix).
Experience, course work, or knowledge of working with Indigenous materials, and awareness of relevant issues around culturally appropriate management of archival and library materials.
Knowledge of Canadian Copyright legislation and BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Familiarity with International archival standards.
Demonstrated experience working in academic archives environment or rare book or special collections library.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY
Appointment: This is a full-time confirmation-track appointment with an anticipated start date of September 2025. 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, and a recommendation is made at that time to grant or not to grant an ongoing confirmed appointment.
The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies).
Eligibility: We are only considering applications from librarians with a maximum of two (2) years of professional library experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.
Salary: Starting salary is $83,955 to $86,520 per annum. Actual salary offered will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, as well as internal parity. UBC aloso offers a comprehensive benefits package. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies
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. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources: https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups. Additional information about relocation to UBC Vancouver can be found: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/housing-and-relocation-services
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. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status, and indicates the candidate's education, training and work experience in the areas listed above. One consolidated PDF is preferred.
