Archival Processing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Departmental Overview
One of the nation's leading university museums, the University of California's Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is a forum for cultural experiences that transform individuals and advance the local, national, and global discourse on art and film.
As the premier visual arts venue at America's top public research university, BAMPFA is uniquely dedicated to art and film, presenting more than 300 film screenings, dozens of public programs, and 10 exhibitions annually.
Position Summary
The Project Processing Archivist supports an 18-month project focused on the arrangement, description, preservation, and activation of the Eli Leon Papers for the African American Quilt Collection at BAMPFA. This position manages a nationally significant collection of papers, photographic materials, born-digital records, and audio-visual materials documenting Black quiltmaking in California. The Project Processing Archivist assesses, inventories, and establishes robust metadata and descriptive finding aids to enable scholarly research and community engagement. This position also manages relationships with external vendors for digitization and assists in planning exhibitions supported by the Getty Black Visual Artists Archives grant.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is June 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.
Responsibilities

• Archival processing of artist files - correspondence, research notes, annotated books and exhibition catalogues, collecting ledgers, slides and photographic documentation, audio recordings and interviews (in cassette, CD, and electronic formats), born digital materials (including emails and floppy disks), and personal effects that illuminate Leon's methodology and networks
• Applying tools used in the museum and archival communities (e.g., ArchivesSpace, OCLC, OAC, Collection Space, FileMaker) and publishing an online Finding Aid
• Contributing to project management - including management of project documentation, and contributing to problem-solving and analysis
• Consulting and collaborating with staff at BAMPFA to ensure appropriate processing, rehousing, storage, and digitization of varying formats
• Working with the Senior Grants Officer and the Finance team on grant reporting requirements

Required Qualifications

• Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory
• Knowledge of and/or experience applying efficient archival processing guidelines and procedures
• Knowledge of and/or experience with processing born-digital archival collections
• Knowledge of and/or experience with metadata standards like MARC, EAD, and DACS
• Knowledge of and/or experience using ArchivesSpace, OCLC, OAC, Collection Space, FileMaker, TMS (The Museum System), Alma, or other collection information management systems, and/or the ability to learn comparable systems
• Knowledge of and/or experience with project management
• Demonstrated analytical, documentation, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise initiative and judgment

Education / Training

• Graduation from college with specialization in the discipline involved and four years of experience in curatorial work, including one year in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience processing archival materials, or equivalent combination of experience/training
• Master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution program or equivalent international degree

Salary & Benefits
This position is eligible for full UC benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website .
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The University's budgeted annual salary range for this position is $82,984.93 - $91,595.44, steps 1-6.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time, limited position for up to 18 months.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information

• This position is expected to work onsite at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA).
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html
• The position will not automatically convert to career status as the funding for the position is "one time" funding, of eighteen (18) months or less.

Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.