How to Apply
A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and a resume as one PDF file (due to system limitations).
Job Summary
The Bentley Historical Library seeks a collaborative and service-oriented Archivist for University Archives and Records to support the Library's fieldwork and collection development for the University of Michigan's archives. The position supports documentation of the University's diverse and evolving history by building relationships with administrative units, faculty, staff, student organizations, alumni, and affiliated individuals.
Working within the University Archives and Records Program (UARP) in the Collections Team and reporting to the Associate Director for Collections, the Archivist identifies, appraises, and acquires records and personal papers that reflect the university's teaching, research, and community impact. This position will sustain the success of earlier acquisition work with university records while critically exploring new and emerging areas for future collecting. The Archivist will collect materials in all formats, including digital, and ensure that archival transfers and records management practices align with the Bentley's mission and university policies.
This role contributes to Bentley's commitment to ensuring that the full scope of university life (administrative, academic, research, and cultural) is represented and preserved for future generations.
Who We Are
The Bentley Historical Library, a vital part of the University of Michigan, is dedicated to collecting and promoting the study of the histories of the State of Michigan and the University of Michigan. Open to the public without fee, the Library welcomes researchers of all backgrounds. With over 11,000 research collections, including the papers of Michigan governors, records of student and faculty life, and the complete historical archive of Michigan's intercollegiate athletics, the Bentley provides a rich resource for historical research. The Library features a state-of-the-art conservation lab where expert archivists and conservators teach and preserve materials such as books, maps, and architectural drawings. Additionally, the historic Judy & Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory on the University's central campus is a division of the Library, further enhancing its resources and outreach.
For more information, please visit our website: bentley.umich.edu
Responsibilities*
For extended Job Responsibilities, click here.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for university units, departments, student organizations, and individual donors regarding appraisal and transfer of archival materials.
- Conduct site visits to assess, appraise, and document potential accessions, including both physical and born-digital materials.
- Help coordinate physical and digital transfer logistics, including collaboration with the Archivist for Digital Curation.
- Maintain accurate donor files, accession records, and fieldwork documentation in ArchivesSpace and related systems.
Required Qualifications*
- Master's degree from an ALA-accredited institution, in-hand or in-process, or an advanced related degree, with relevant experience required.
- Knowledge of archival and records management principles, including appraisal, arrangement, description, and access.
- Familiarity with born-digital records appraisal, description, and preservation.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment and work effectively both independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of staff and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and commitment to professional engagement and continuous learning.
- Comfort with and ability to learn new technologies.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The salary range for this position is $61,000 - $64,000 annually. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position, and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.
The mode of work for this position is Hybrid.
Provides Reference Desk in-person coverage on select Saturdays several times throughout the year.
Excellent benefits are available; for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/
Union Affiliation
This full-time faculty position is subject to the U-M/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement. Appointment is anticipated at the Assistant Archivist level. The minimum salary for this position is $61,000 annually at the Assistant level. Salary is dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $61,000 - $64,000 annually.
This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, on behalf of their Librarian, Archivists, and Curator bargaining unit (LEO-GLAM), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
The University of Michigan complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The Administrative Designee, who is responsible for communicating with Employees about requests for reasonable accommodations in the Bentley Historical Library, is Camille Ulrich. They may be reached at [email protected].
Employees on the Ann Arbor or Dearborn Campuses may also contact the Disability Equity Office by email at [email protected], by phone at 734-763-0235, or by visiting their website.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of ten calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eleventh day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
Decision Making Process
Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and will continue until the position is filled. The estimated beginning date for the appointment is June 2026.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.