Archivist

About the role

The J. Willard Marriott Library seeks to recruit three Archivists to support the efforts of the University of Utah's Special Collections: a permanent Photograph Archivist in the Multimedia Archives, a permanent Manuscripts Archivist in the Manuscripts Archives, and a term-limited Outdoor Recreation Archivist in the S. J. Quinney Outdoor Recreation Archives (renewable, rolling two-year period). The Library anticipates hiring three positions simultaneously; applicants may indicate their preference to be considered for any or all of these positions.

The Marriott Library's Special Collections Division is a major repository of the records of individuals, groups, and businesses across the city, state, and Intermountain West. Collections are separated by format, with paper documents, select ephemera, and mixed-format, born digital collections residing in the Manuscripts Archives and still images, moving images, and sounds residing in the Multimedia Archives. The S. J. Quinney Outdoor Recreation Archives is a subject-based collecting umbrella within Special Collections, which includes the Ski & Snow Sports Archives, the Utah River Running Archives, and materials documenting the history of a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities in Utah and the Intermountain West.

The three archivists will be vital contributors in effort to identify, preserve, and provide access to the voices and histories that represent communities and individuals throughout the region.

This position is currently designed as a hybrid of on-campus and remote work. Specific telecommuting arrangements will be based on the needs of the position and authorized at the discretion of the supervisor.

We seek qualified applicants who bring perspectives and experiences that will enrich and strengthen our organization and enhance our commitment to access and belonging. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those who may not have followed a traditional educational or professional path.

Responsibilities

These positions require familiarity with primary research materials and with methods for providing digital and in-person access, as well as strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Play a primary role in the organization and preservation of documents, photographs, and other cultural media
• Provide reference support for students, faculty, and community patrons of Special Collections by communicating with researchers, arranging appointments for in-person examination of documents, and preparing requested materials
• May engage in creative outreach to promote the visibility and use of archival materials
• Photograph Archivist: Focus on providing reference support for multimedia materials; review all online reference and reproduction requests for assignment to other members of the Multimedia Archives team alongside work on the organization, preservation, and promotion of collections of still images
• Manuscripts Archivist: Focus on collection processing for manuscript collections; assist with providing reference support for manuscript materials and with preparing materials for patron use alongside work on the preservation and promotion of paper and text or mixed format born digital collections
• Term-limited Outdoor Recreation Archivist: Focus on documentation, organization, preservation, reference, and promotion for collections relating to regional outdoor recreation activities, including but not limited to skiing and other winter sports, river running and other water sports, climbing, and hiking; a portion of time will also be devoted to collections relating to University of Utah Athletics and archives associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (2002 and 2034)
• May oversee part-time employees in the processing of collections and coordinate the digitization of collection materials to fulfill reproduction requests, as well as guiding workflows and ensuring quality control
• May be expected to assume other responsibilities based on immediate needs and expressed priorities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in history or a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience)
• Two years related experience required
• Knowledge of archival theory and storage methods required to determine proper preservation of documents and collections
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills
• Bachelor's degree in history, related field and five years archival experience may be required for some assignments
• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description

Preferences

• Master's degree in Library or Information Science, or a related field such as Public History, English, Art History, or Film Studies
• Work experience or training in archival arrangement, description, and research support, with specialization in areas such as archival documents, photographs, or sound and moving images
• Information & technology literacy, particularly with ArchivesSpace and other databases or content management systems or exhibition platforms
• Work experience or training in best practices for digitization or exhibition planning and installation
• Professional, interpersonal, and cultural competence, including experience working as part of a team and with the general public
• Leadership or project management experience, especially with cultural heritage collections (volunteer, internship, or practicum experience included)
• Knowledge or interest in the cultural history of Utah and its peoples
• Two years of experience working in a Special Collections, Archives, Museum, or cultural heritage organization

The duties, qualifications, and preferences listed in this posting are intended to give applicants an understanding of the role we are seeking to fill and the types of skills, experience, and education that may have prepared someone to be effective in this role. We do not expect any candidate to be a perfect match for this list or to perform all of the duties with equal proficiency on day one. In your resume and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would bring to this position based on the posting, and tell us how your background, perspective, and experience will help us fulfill our mission and meet our goals.

Pay

$60,000 to $64,000

Schedule

Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm. May require occasional evening and weekends.

All applications received by August 27, 2026 will receive full consideration. This is a local recruitment. Out of area candidates will be responsible for travel costs for final in-person interviews and for moving costs, if selected. The candidate will also need to be available to travel to Salt Lake City within 5-7 days of notice for final in-person interviews.

Required documents to upload: Resume, Cover Letter, List of 3 Professional References