Exploring career opportunities in archivist jobs for tech-driven hiring

Understanding the evolving role of archivists in a digital world

The digital transformation of archives and collections

The role of the archivist is changing fast as digital technologies reshape how archives, records, and special collections are managed. Traditionally, archivists focused on preserving physical documents and artifacts in libraries, universities, and historical societies. Today, the job increasingly involves handling digital records, managing electronic resources, and ensuring long-term access to both born-digital and digitized materials.

Institutions like state universities, public libraries, and historical societies are investing in digital archives and records management systems. This shift means that jobs in the archival field now require a blend of traditional expertise and technical skills. Whether you are an assistant archivist, records manager, or director of a special collections center, understanding digital workflows is essential.

Why tech skills matter for modern archivists

Archivists are no longer just custodians of history—they are also digital managers. The rise of digital records and online collections has created new opportunities for professionals who can bridge the gap between archival principles and technology. For example, a project archivist at a university might oversee the migration of historical records to a digital platform, while a records archivist in a public library could be responsible for implementing electronic records management policies.

As the profession evolves, so do the expectations for job candidates. Employers are looking for individuals who can manage digital resources, use archival management software, and understand metadata standards. This trend is reflected in job announcements for positions like archives assistant, management specialist, or assistant professor in archival studies.

Connecting with the broader tech hiring landscape

The demand for tech-driven archivists is part of a larger trend in the hiring market. As highlighted in how national human resources day highlights the evolving role of tech hiring, organizations across sectors are seeking professionals who can adapt to new technologies and manage digital transformation projects. For archivists, this means staying current with digital tools and best practices is more important than ever.

Whether you are considering a career as an archives assistant, records manager, or director of a special collections center, understanding the digital shift in archives and records management will help you navigate the evolving job market and make informed career decisions.

Key tech skills needed for modern archivist jobs

Essential digital skills for today’s archivists

Modern archivist jobs are no longer limited to sorting paper documents in a library or historical society. With the shift toward digital archives and special collections, employers now expect candidates to bring a mix of traditional archival knowledge and up-to-date technical skills. Whether you are applying for an assistant archivist, records manager, or project archivist position, understanding the digital landscape is crucial.

• Digital records management: Archivists must be comfortable with digital records, including their creation, storage, and preservation. This involves using specialized software for records management and understanding metadata standards.
• Database and content management: Many archives and university libraries use complex content management systems to organize collections. Experience with these platforms is often required for roles like archives assistant or management specialist.
• Digitization and digital preservation: Scanning, converting, and maintaining digital copies of historical documents is now a core part of the job. Familiarity with digitization equipment and digital preservation strategies is highly valued.
• Information security: Protecting sensitive data in digital archives is essential. Archivists need to understand basic cybersecurity principles to safeguard resources and comply with privacy regulations.
• Project management: Many archival jobs, such as project archivist or director of special collections, require managing digitization projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring deadlines are met.

Soft skills and interdisciplinary knowledge

While technical skills are vital, employers in the archives sector also look for candidates with strong communication and organizational abilities. Collaborating with librarians, records managers, and IT staff is common, especially in larger institutions like state universities or public libraries. Understanding the history and context of collections, as well as the needs of researchers and the public, helps archivists make informed decisions about access and preservation.

Continuous learning and professional development

The rapid evolution of technology means that archivists must commit to ongoing education. Attending annual meetings, participating in workshops, and staying updated through resources like a career center or job announcement boards can help professionals keep their skills current. For those aiming for roles such as assistant professor or archives records manager, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning is a strong asset.

For more insights into the skills and qualities that hiring managers seek in tech-driven archival roles, check out key insights for hiring tech talent.

Challenges in hiring tech-savvy archivists

Why tech hiring for archives is uniquely challenging

Hiring for archivist jobs in today’s digital landscape is not as straightforward as it once was. The shift from paper-based records to digital collections has created a demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between traditional archival knowledge and modern technology. This means hiring managers in libraries, universities, and historical societies are looking for candidates who understand both archival principles and the latest digital tools.

• Complex skill sets: Archivists are now expected to manage digital records, use specialized software, and ensure the long-term preservation of electronic resources. This requires a blend of IT skills and archival expertise, which can be rare to find in one candidate.
• Changing job titles: Positions like digital records manager, assistant archivist, project archivist, and records management specialist are becoming more common. Each role may require a unique combination of technical and archival skills, making job announcements more specific and sometimes harder to match with available talent.
• Resource constraints: Many public libraries, state universities, and historical societies operate with limited budgets. This can make it difficult to offer competitive salaries for highly skilled digital archivists, especially when competing with the private sector or tech companies.
• Keeping up with technology: The rapid pace of change in digital archives management means that even experienced archivists and records managers must continually update their skills. Hiring teams need to assess not just current expertise, but also a candidate’s ability to adapt and learn new tools.

For hiring managers, finding the right fit often means balancing the need for traditional archival knowledge with the technical demands of managing digital collections. This challenge is especially pronounced in roles like archives assistant, processing archivist, or digital records manager, where both sets of skills are essential for effective archives management.

Organizations are also looking for professionals who can help lead digital transformation projects, whether in a university special collections center, a public library, or a historical society. The need for expertise in digital preservation, metadata standards, and records management is growing, but so is the competition for qualified candidates.

To address these hiring challenges, some institutions are turning to specialized tech hiring solutions. For example, platforms like Staff Sure can help streamline the recruitment process for digital archives and records management roles, making it easier to identify candidates with the right mix of skills and experience.

Ultimately, the evolving nature of archivist jobs means that hiring practices must adapt. Whether you are a director, manager, or assistant professor in charge of recruitment, understanding these challenges is key to building a strong team for your archives, special collections, or digital resources center.

How to stand out as a candidate for archivist jobs

Building a Strong Application for Tech-Focused Archivist Roles

Standing out in the competitive landscape of archivist jobs, especially those driven by technology, requires more than a passion for history or library science. Today’s archives and special collections demand candidates who can bridge traditional archival practices with digital innovation. Here’s how you can make your application shine:

• Highlight Digital Expertise: Emphasize your experience with digital records management, metadata standards, and archival software. Familiarity with tools like ArchivesSpace, Preservica, or CONTENTdm can set you apart, especially for roles in university libraries or large historical societies.
• Showcase Project Experience: If you’ve worked as a project archivist, assistant archivist, or in records management, detail your contributions to digitization projects, special collections, or the implementation of new archival systems. Employers value hands-on experience managing both physical and digital collections.
• Demonstrate Adaptability: The field is evolving rapidly. Illustrate your ability to learn new technologies and adapt to changes in archival management, whether you’ve worked in a public library, state university, or a specialized research center.
• Certifications and Continuing Education: List relevant certifications or coursework in digital archives, records management, or information technology. Participation in annual meetings, workshops, or webinars hosted by professional organizations can also strengthen your profile.
• Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job announcement. Use keywords from the posting, such as digital records, archives assistant, or records manager, to align your skills with the employer’s needs.

Leveraging Professional Resources and Networks

Engage with the broader archival community to access hidden opportunities and stay updated on trends. Many jobs in archives, special collections, and records management are shared through professional networks, career centers, and listservs. Consider joining organizations like the Society of American Archivists or your local historical society. These groups often host job boards, annual meetings, and training sessions that can connect you with directors, managers, and hiring committees at leading institutions.

Don’t overlook university career centers, public library job boards, or specialized resources like the archives career center. These platforms frequently post openings for assistant professors, management specialists, and digital archives roles at institutions ranging from state universities to research labs like Los Alamos.

Demonstrating Value in the Interview Process

When you reach the interview stage, be prepared to discuss your approach to managing both physical and digital collections. Share examples of how you’ve improved archival workflows, contributed to special projects, or supported records management initiatives. Employers are looking for candidates who can balance tradition with innovation, ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of valuable resources.

The impact of AI and automation on archivist roles

AI and Automation: Changing the Landscape of Archival Work

The rise of artificial intelligence and automation is transforming the way archives and records are managed. For archivists, this means adapting to new tools that can process, categorize, and retrieve digital records faster than ever before. Libraries, universities, and historical societies are increasingly relying on AI-powered systems to handle large volumes of digital collections, making it essential for professionals in these jobs to understand how these technologies work.

New Responsibilities for Archivists and Assistants

While automation can streamline repetitive tasks like metadata tagging or digital records management, it also introduces new responsibilities. Archivists, assistant archivists, and project archivists are now expected to oversee the implementation and maintenance of these systems. This includes ensuring data integrity, managing privacy concerns, and troubleshooting issues that arise with digital archives. The role of the records manager or management specialist is also evolving, with a greater focus on digital strategy and oversight.

Opportunities and Concerns in the Digital Era

• Efficiency Gains: Automated tools can help process archival collections more quickly, allowing staff to focus on higher-level analysis and curation.
• Skill Shifts: There is a growing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between traditional archival practices and digital management. Knowledge of digital records, archives special collections, and records management software is increasingly valuable.
• Job Evolution: Roles such as digital records archivist, processing archivist, and archives assistant are expanding to include technical oversight and project management.
• Ethical Considerations: Automation raises questions about the authenticity and preservation of historical resources. Archivists must ensure that AI-driven processes do not compromise the integrity of collections.

Preparing for the Future

To stay competitive in the job market, candidates should seek training in digital archives management, AI applications, and data privacy. Many state universities, public libraries, and career centers now offer workshops and certifications in these areas. Participating in annual meetings or joining professional organizations, such as a historical society or archives records association, can also provide valuable networking and learning opportunities.

As the field continues to evolve, those who embrace technology and develop expertise in digital resources will be well-positioned for roles such as director, manager, or assistant professor in archival and library settings. The impact of AI and automation is clear: the future of archival jobs will be shaped by those who can adapt and lead in a tech-driven environment.

Where to find archivist jobs in the tech sector

Where to Look for Tech-Focused Archivist Openings

Finding the right job in the archives field, especially for tech-driven roles, means knowing where to search and how to interpret job announcements. As digital transformation accelerates, more organizations are seeking archivists, records managers, and assistants with strong digital skills. Here are some practical resources and strategies to help you discover opportunities in this evolving sector:

• University and College Career Centers: Many state universities and colleges have dedicated career centers that regularly post openings for positions such as assistant archivist, project archivist, or digital records manager. These can be found in both history and library science departments, as well as in special collections or archives management offices.
• Professional Associations: Organizations like the Society of American Archivists and the American Library Association maintain job boards featuring a range of archival and records management positions. These listings often include roles in public libraries, historical societies, and university archives, with a growing emphasis on digital collections and records management specialist roles.
• Specialized Job Boards: Sites dedicated to library and archives careers, such as the "Archives Gig" or "ALA JobLIST," are excellent for targeted searches. You’ll find postings for everything from processing archivist to director of archives special collections, as well as digital management positions.
• Institutional Websites: Museums, research centers, and public libraries often post openings for archives assistant, records archivist, or collections manager roles on their own websites. For example, institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory or major state universities frequently advertise digital records and management specialist jobs.
• Annual Meetings and Conferences: Attending professional gatherings, such as the annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists, can connect you with hiring managers and provide access to exclusive job announcements. These events are also valuable for networking and learning about the latest trends in digital archives and records management.

Tips for Navigating the Digital Job Market

• Use keywords like "digital records," "archives special collections," and "records management" when searching online job boards.
• Explore roles beyond traditional archivist jobs, such as assistant professor in archival studies, records manager, or management specialist in digital archives.
• Stay updated with resources from professional associations and university career centers, as new positions in digital archives and records management are posted regularly.

With the growing demand for tech-savvy professionals in archives, being proactive and strategic in your job search can open doors to rewarding opportunities in libraries, universities, historical societies, and beyond. Whether you are aiming for a role as an assistant archivist, project archivist, or director of special collections, leveraging these resources will help you navigate the evolving landscape of archival careers.