CSU Processing Archivist

Job Description:

CSU Processing Archivist

Description

** Successful candidates in these temporary appointments may be appointed from a few days up to one year depending on the assignment. Temporary appointments must end on or before the end of the fiscal year, with the possibility of renewal if funds and/or program needs exist.

Working Title: CSU Processing Archivist

Department Name: Gerth Archives & Special Collections/University Library

Division: Academic Affairs

Classification Title: Library Services Specialist III

Classification Salary Range: $4,280 - $6,235 per month

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $5,115 - $5,217 per month.

The final salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Dean, University Library, the CSU Processing Archivist performs complex and technically specialized collection and administrative functions in the Gerth Archives and supports efforts to preserve and make accessible archival materials relating to CSU Archives collections. The Processing Archivist provides expertise on topics related to the cataloging and metadata creation of physical, digitized and born-digital materials, video, audio, and paper records. Responsibilities include the arrangement and description of archival collections, the preparation of descriptive finding aids in Archives Space, meta-data records for digital materials in ContentDM, answering reference queries, and student employee projects. The Processing Archivist creates metadata and arranges and describes archival materials in CSU collections. As a member of the Gerth Archives team, the incumbent provides assistance via email, in-person, and by telephone, with an emphasis on CSU Archives questions. The incumbent also assists with the coordination of conservation, reformatting, and environmental stabilization initiatives as well as ensuring written archival policies and procedures are up to date. The Archivist works in a highly collaborative manner with all Gerth Archives personnel. The Archivist works with databases such as ContentDM and ArchivesSpace, participates in department wide collection and cataloging activities, and performs other duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creates metadata for CSU Archives digital materials and prioritizes collections to be cataloged.
• Collaborates in the development and maintenance of digital resources including scanning, meta-data development, file naming and makes recommendations for materials to digitize.
• Arranges and describes archival materials, including the creation of finding aids.
• Provides archival reference assistance via email, in-person, and telephone modalities, with a focus, as needed, on CSU Archives queries.
• Participates, as time permits, in outreach duties that may include oral history and exhibition assistance, LibGuide creation, social media postings, archives website updates, public programming, and blog or article writing and generates new ideas for departmental website.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a high school education or equivalent certification plus two to three years of related library and/or clerical experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to catalog and generate metadata as well as scan and transcribe materials in accordance with best practices.
• Knowledge of how to digitize materials and coordinate the arrangement and description metadata into systems for storage, discovery, and display.
• Knowledge of how to use the ContentDM digital asset management system and the ability to ingest metadata into the system.
• Ability to generate finding aids in Archives Space and the Online Archive of California.
• Ability to communicate effectively using standard English.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Archives staff to evaluate, appraise and supervise the transfer archival materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in history or other related degree.
• One year of experience in an archival or special collections environment.
• Knowledge of the operations of an archive including use of all appropriate software and database management software.
• Outreach and public service experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of library-based descriptive standards including Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and Resource Description and Access (RDA).
• Knowledge of current best practices related to access for born-digital collections.
• Knowledge of and experience with strategies and technology such as, digital preservation, and systems developed or adopted by the archival community for managing born-digital material.
• Working knowledge of specialized applications and tools such as ContentDM, HTML, Adobe Acrobat, and OCR and standard computer office applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, computer operating systems, storage systems and file formats.
• Familiarity with standards for description and preservation of special collections holdings including EAD, MARC, MODS, METS, DACS, RDA, and PREMIS.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and time management skills.
• Knowledge of current best practices related access for born-digital records.

To view the full position description, click “Position Description” above.

General Information:

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance and State Law.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• California State University Dominguez Hills is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas.
• The CSU system offers a competitive total compensation benefits package for employees and qualifying dependents, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and tuition assistance. It is our goal to compensate employees equitably and fairly. You can access a full description of our benefits here .

Closing Statement

California State University, Dominguez Hills, is strongly committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Human Resources Office at (310) 243-3771.

California State University Dominguez Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

Employees at California State University, Dominguez Hills shall abide by the Nondiscrimination Statement .

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.

Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.

Advertised: Sep 01 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 15 2026 Pacific Daylight Time