Univeristy Archivist - West Virginia & Regional History Center, WVU Libraries

West Virginia University is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking University Archivist to lead the development of a comprehensive University Archives program. Housed within the West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC), the University Archives preserves the permanent records of WVU that document the institution's operations, achievements, and campus life since 1867.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how the University's history is preserved, interpreted, and shared. The University Archivist will play a critical role in safeguarding institutional memory, supporting innovative research and student learning, strengthening engagement with alumni and campus partners, and advancing records management across the University. Working collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators, alumni, and library colleagues, the successful candidate will help ensure that the stories, decisions, and experiences that define WVU are preserved and accessible for generations to come.

The University Archivist is responsible for developing and stewarding collections documenting the history of West Virginia University; building relationships with campus and other stakeholders to collect the full scope of the University's history; and supporting outreach and instruction using University archives. The position advances the University's land-grant mission by preserving and providing access to institutional records that document teaching, research, and service, ensuring they inform scholarship and support institutional memory.

Major Responsibilities

University Archives Collection Development and Stewardship

* With the director of the WVRHC, develop strategic priorities and plans for the West Virginia University archives.

* Serve as the primary point of contact for university units, including administrative offices, academic departments, and student organizations, as well as individual donors, such as faculty, alumni, and students, regarding the appraisal and transfer of archival records.

* Conduct site visits to assess, appraise, and document potential accessions in alignment with the WVU Record Retention Policy & Schedule, including both physical and born-digital materials.

* As necessary and in coordination with the Research Services and Engagement department, determine appropriate steward of records and help ensure representation of faculty and student research outputs in the Institutional Repository.

* In collaboration with the Head of Collections Management and Processing and the Digital Collections Archivist, coordinate physical and digital transfer logistics, including preparing materials and assisting with scheduling.

* Prepare and document donor agreements and records transfer documentation.

* In coordination with the Head of Collections Management and Processing, coordinate accessioning, processing, and digital archiving priorities and operations to ensure efficient arrangement and description of university records.

* Prepare and support accurate and up-to-date donor files, accession records, and finding aids in appropriate databases.

* Assess and manage access decisions for unprocessed and legacy university collections and potential legal, policy, and/or cultural restrictions.

* Select and recommend university archives for preservation and/or digitization.

* Collaboratively develop and maintain policies, procedures, and workflows related to university archives in compliance with professional standards.

* In collaboration with the WVRHC Director and in partnership with the Assistant Dean of Strategy, Planning, and Impact, develop and implement assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of University archives services, resources, and initiatives.

* Lead areas under direction in proactively identifying and responding to emerging trends in university archives, ensuring alignment with the evolving needs and expectations of WVU's students, faculty, and researchers.

Outreach and Instruction

* Proactively build relationships with campus partners and stakeholders, including administrative offices, such as the Office of General Counsel, academic departments, and student…