Full Time Historical Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $53,185.60 Annually
Location : Central Library, 201 East Market Street, Charlottesville (22902), VA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 260600017
Department: Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
Division: Branch Operations
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: N/A
General Summary
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library is seeking candidates to be considered for the position of Historical Collection Librarian who are highly motivated and who support JMRL's Mission Statement to foster personal growth and life-long learning for all by connecting people with ideas, information, and each other.
The preferred starting salary for this position is $25.57 hourly ($53,185.60 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays, plus paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. If questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

This full-time position performs responsible professional work as the primary point of contact for local history researchers. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Adult Programming & Reference Services Manager and in conjunction with the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society (ACHS) staff.
Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. Applications may no longer be considered once a candidate to fill the position is identified. This job announcement will close when the position(s) have been filled and may close at any time.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The JMRL retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Manages and promotes local history collection of books housed at both the Central Library and the ACHS Research Library. Provides reference services and adult programming to the public.
• Provides reference services and other assistance for users needing archival and library materials.
• Supervises and directs the activities of ACHS volunteers who assist in arranging, cataloging, and maintaining collections of valuable archival materials under the direction of ACHS staff.
• Prepares and organizes ACHS archival records to facilitate public access.
• Plans, promotes, and conducts educational and public outreach programs, such as workshops, lectures, and classes.
• Trains staff and the public in using historical collection and related electronic resources at both JMRL and ACHS.
• Provides outreach services on behalf of JMRL and ACHS.
• Evaluates historical documents and archival materials for accession into either library's collection.
• Performs direct customer service to the public by staffing reference desk at both JMRL and ACHS, conducting reference interviews and locating items in various formats.
• Creates and maintains accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases.
• Assists patrons with photocopying, printing, scanning and faxing materials.
• Provides personal device and public computer assistance and training through scheduled individual tutoring sessions and providing limited point-of-need service to help patrons apply for employment and social services, fill out paperwork, print documents, participate in email and social media, gain confidence with Microsoft Office products, and access and use library electronic resources.
• Responds to phone calls, emails, texts, and chats to provide equitable access to information.
• May occasionally serve as department/branch manager at the Central Library in their absence or as needed.
• Provides reference and reader's advisory for patrons of all ages online and in person.
• Performs some general department and/or branch duties.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of JMRL equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
• Requires a flexible schedule that includes days, evenings, and weekends.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties:

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills
Education and Experience:
Minimum Qualifications: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Eligibility for professional certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia within the first 2 years of employment AND previous library experience and knowledge of historical collections and research.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with an integrated library system.
• Experience with historical research in the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library's service area.
• Experience on a public service desk.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of library policies, best practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of archival methods and research techniques.
• Knowledge of metadata standards and schemas.
• Working knowledge of website management.
• Knowledge of history of local area.

Reading:

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials.

Writing:

• Intermediate: ability to write reports, prepare materials such as business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math:

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions, and measurement.

Communication Skills:

• Intermediate: Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and members of community organizations. Ability to gather information and assist patrons. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, leaders, and the public.

Independence and Decision-Making:

• Requires Limited Direction: Normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Manages special projects with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills:

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Intermediate skill in Microsoft Office applications and/or departmental software. Demonstrated skills in genealogical and local history research.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversees the work and provides guidance to volunteers.

Other Characteristics:

• Strong public service orientation.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• Non-traditional work schedule. Requires a flexible schedule that includes days, evenings, and weekends.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information
Physical Demands:

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires pushing/pulling, stooping, bending, carrying, and standing for an extended period of time.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; uses book trucks, carts, and bins, and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or
The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated February 9, 2026
Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.
1. LEAVE:
Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:
Years Worked
0 - <3
3 - <5
5 - <10
10 - <15
15 - <20
20 - <25
25+
Hours Accrued Biweekly
3.09
3.85
4.62
5.4
6.16
6.93
7.7
Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.
Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):
OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS
New Years Day
Dr. Martin Luther King Day
Presidents' Day
Liberation & Freedom Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
1 Floating Holiday
Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 ho