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 X̱wi7x̱wa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Almost 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 (UA)
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.
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.
This position is in-person at a UBC location.
Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and on how to apply.
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://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/).
Eligibility: We are only considering applications from librarians with a maximum of 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 $81,510 to $84,000 per annum. Actual salary offered will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, as well as internal parity. UBC also offers a comprehensive benefits package. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement: https://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/
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, as well as how did you hear about this opportunity. One consolidated PDF is preferred.
Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and on how to apply. The application deadline will be at 11:59 p.m. August 20, 2025.
