Archivists

What the job really is

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

At a glance

• Sector: Education & Library
• O*NET-SOC code: 25-4011
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
• Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
• Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
• Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
• Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
• Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
• Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
• Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
• Locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display.
• Authenticate and appraise historical documents and archival materials.
• Coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes.
• Specialize in an area of history or technology, researching topics or items relevant to collections to determine what should be retained or acquired.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Archivists' Toolkit, Extensible markup language XML, Hypertext markup language HTML, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
• Historians
• Curators
• Document Management Specialists
• Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Social Science Research Assistants
• Museum Technicians and Conservators
• Statistical Assistants

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Archivists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.