Chicago Area Archivists Jobs

Job Posting: Archivist, UL Research Institutes/UL Standards & Engagement, Northbrook IL

Janet Olson — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:07:41 GMT

Archivist, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement, Northbrook IL

Full time; salary range $67,319.32-$92,564.06

Job Description:

The Archivist is essential to the preservation and activation of the 132-year history of UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE) – two organizations which evolved from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) founded in 1894. This individual will execute archival processing, collection management, reference, research, and outreach services drawing upon the breadth of the UL Archives’ physical and digital holdings. The Archivist will possess a deep working knowledge of standards and best practices in archival appraisal and selection, accessioning, arrangement and description, collection management, and preservation of various physical and digital records and other historical materials.

Responsibilities:
-Appraise, select, accession, arrange and describe archival collections and materials in all analog and digital formats according to best practices and national/international standards.
-Support the continued development and maintenance of the digital archival repository by adding digitized and born-digital records for long-term preservation and access.
-Collaborate with colleagues on communications, public relations, social media, community engagement, brand, and other teams on projects and initiatives that involve the organizations’ history.
-Collaboratively assess and prioritize the physical and digital archival processing backlog.
-Collaboratively assess archival collection storage space, recommend improvements, and reorganize materials to best utilize available space.
-Respond to reference questions from internal and external stakeholders covering a variety of complex subjects in a timely and organized manner.
-Conduct oral histories with long-standing employees and retirees regarding their work experience and promote donation of their papers and materials to the archives.
-Speak to small groups and lead tours of the archives for employee and external audiences.
-Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional competencies and personal attributes:
-Demonstrated experience managing archival collections through appraisal, accessioning, arrangement, description, preservation, and access activities in accordance with established archival standards and best practices.
-Familiarity with national and international standards of archival description (DACS/ISAD-G) and best practices in archival management.
-Demonstrated experience with social media to promote the archives to internal and external audiences. ability to work independently and collaboratively in small team environments.
-Strong project management skills for individual and small group projects.
-Ability to develop work plans with measurable results and achievable deadlines.
-High degree of curiosity to learn about the organization’s mission and history.
-Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate historical and archival information to diverse audiences.
-Strong advocacy for the organization’s history and value of archival services.

Professional Education And Experience Requirements For The Role Include:
-Master’s degree in library and information science (MLS/MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program with a concentration in archives, or a master’s degree in history/public history with significant archival experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
-Minimum of 2 years of archival processing experience.
-Significant experience with archival collection management software (i.e. ArchivEra, ArchiveSpace), Microsoft 365 products (e.g. Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop.

-Experience with digital preservation repository platforms (i.e. Preservica) preferred.
-Certified Archivist designation by the Academy of Certified Archivists preferred.
-Certificate or significant coursework in digital archives preferred

For more information and to apply:

https://ulse.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ulricareers/job/Archivist_JR1596-1

To learn more about UL: visit UL.org and ULSE.org.

Job posting: Assistant Professor, Library & Information Science (Tenure track), Dominican University, River Forest

Janet Olson — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:05:53 GMT

Assistant Professor, Library & Information Science (Tenure track), Dominican University - School of Information Studies, River Forest

Full-time; salary range $65,000-81,000

FLSA Status: Exempt, full-time (see Classification Note below)

Location: On campus

Expected Start Date: January 4, 2027

Position Summary:
The School of Information Studies (SOIS) seeks an Assistant tenure-track faculty member specializing in archives, cultural heritage preservation, and/or digital-cultural stewardship with a strong, critically insightful interdisciplinary focus. The successful candidate for this position will contribute to teaching, advising, scholarship, and service aligned with the University’s mission and commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice, as well as collaborate with faculty inside and outside SOIS. Further expectations include developing innovative/transformative curricular courses/initiatives addressing both emerging job market demands as well as socio-cultural needs in areas such as archives/archival theory and museums, records management, areas of digital stewardship (i.e., digital asset management, digital curation, digital humanities), cultural informatics, and community-based initiatives. Applicants should demonstrate expertise (or potential competencies) in cross-disciplinary and transdisciplinary partnerships, engagement with organizations that can provide experiential learning opportunities for students, and a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in teaching as well as research.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Teach graduate courses in Library and Information Science at the master’s and doctoral levels with a standard teaching load of 21 credit hours, which corresponds to seven courses during the academic year.
Contribute to the development, implementation, and ongoing assessment of the MLIS and PhD programs.
Advise and mentor graduate students, including PhD candidates engaged in dissertation work.
Engage in scholarly activity appropriate for tenure and promotion, including research, publication, and/or grant activity related to Library and Information Science.
Contribute to accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts within the School of Information Studies.
Participate in service to the School of Information Studies, the University, and the profession through committee work, professional engagement, and community partnerships.
Collaborate with faculty across academic units on interdisciplinary teaching, research, and grant initiatives.
Support partnerships with libraries, archives, and community organizations.

Reports To: Associate Dean for SOIS

QUALIFICATIONS:
All listed qualifications are required unless otherwise noted:
Earned PhD in Library and Information Science or a PhD in a related field and at least one earned degree in Library and Information Science from an accredited institution. Doctoral candidates who are on ABD status with an anticipated graduation date of August 2026 or earlier will be considered.
Demonstrated preparation to teach graduate-level courses.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive, and equity-centered teaching practices
Evidence of scholarly potential and service consistent with expectations for tenure-track faculty.
Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, students, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications
Practical experience in a library, archive, or information organization.
Experience teaching, advising, and mentoring in master’s and/or doctoral programs.
Experience teaching online, hybrid, and in person.
Experience with program development, accreditation, and assessment in professional preparation programs.
Record of or potential for external grant activity.

CLASSIFICATION NOTE: Candidates with additional relevant experience and demonstrated competencies may be considered for appointment at the Associate rank

Benefits
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
Professional development opportunities
Tuition remission for employees and their dependents
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
Generous paid time off (PTO)

To apply:

Applicants must submit a (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of teaching philosophy, (4) a sample of intellectual contributions, (5) an equity and inclusion statement, and (6) the names and contact information of 3 references. The cover letter should address work and other opportunities they have had to interact and serve in high needs and diverse populations and other interactions with students. Finalists in the search process will be asked to provide official transcripts. The applications must be submitted online (https://jobs.dom.edu)

A review of applications will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
If you need accommodations due to a disability, you may contact us at opc@dom.edu for assistance.
Feel free to direct general questions to Dr. Tony Dunbar (Chair) adunbar@dom.edu

Expectations for all Dominican Employees:
To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building. This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.

Institutional Statement
Dominican University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, and candidates from diverse backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job posting UPDATED: Executive Director, Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield

Janet Olson — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:46:30 GMT

Executive Director, Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield

Job Opening: Executive Director, Illinois State Historical Society

UPDATED 8/9/2026

Full-time

Salary: Starting salary of $82,500 annually, with an additional stipend for the purchase of health insurance.

The Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS), founded in 1899, is seeking an executive director to implement its mission of promoting Illinois history and to run its day-to-day operations. This is a full-time position based in Springfield, Illinois.

The mission of the ISHS is to foster awareness, understanding, research, preservation, and recognition of history in Illinois. The ISHS actively promotes and advocates for the study of Illinois history through its 118-year-old quarterly journal, its web site, historical markers program, educational activities and programs, outreach, and support of local historical societies and allied organizations.

The ISHS is a not-for-profit organization and is not a state agency. It depends solely on membership dues, gifts, bequests, and foundation grants for support. For more information on the organizational profile of the ISHS, please visit:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mn3UkzpHO4lZLl179YtEB26jEvaHDAt-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115311091081525268368&rtpof=true&sd=true

General Duties:

Reporting to the president and the board of directors and working with ISHS board members, the executive director leads planning and implementation of the Society’s annual and long-term objectives; spearheads fundraising and organizational development; prepares and monitors theISHS ’s budget; supervises, monitors and evaluates all full- and part-time staff (currently 2 staff);and presents ISHS programs to membership and the general public. Job responsibilities of the executive director are described in Article IV of the ISHS Bylaws and this job description reflects those responsibilities.

Specific Duties:

External Duties:

1. With guidance from the Executive Board, Board of Directors and Advisory Board, plans,develops, and manages all Society programs, including education and outreach through thesociety’s website, the historical markers program, awards programs and the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society.

2. Coordinates fund raising activities of the Society, in cooperation with the ISHS Board, and participates in all stages of fund-raising activities, including working with the board on donor identification and solicitation, serving as primary liaison to donors and other potential benefactors, and creating and implementing strategies, goals, prospect research, and an overall development strategy. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for establishing achievable and measurable fundraising goals.

3. Works closely with the Executive Board, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, committees and volunteers to ensure Society objectives are met.

4. Leads communication efforts, including defining key messages, setting the editorial calendar, and serving as the organization’s key spokesperson to the public and stakeholders. Assists with the Society’s social media presence, including the Society’s website. Develops and distributes promotional materials related to the Society’s programs.

5. Assists the board and president in maintaining positive, productive relationships with related agencies, constituency groups, and vendors.

6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Internal Duties

1. Works with the Board of Directors, and the ISHS President and ISHS Treasurer to develop, mplement, administer and monitor the ISHS ’s finances and annual budget.

2. Is responsible for the general oversight of staff, including approving time off, assigning tasks and other duties.

3. Directs, guides, and evaluates staff and volunteer activities related to fulfillment of the Society’s programs and grant funded deliverables.

4. Manages ISHS membership and board meetings, arranges and administers board and committee meetings in person and virtually.

5. Serves as principal liaison with University of Illinois Press regarding all aspects of membership development, maintenance and renewals as well as marketing and promotion.

6. Writes grant applications and other materials related to financial support of the Society’s programs and projects

Requirements:

Requires a master’s degree in communications, history or a humanities related field, or seven years of relevant professional experience. Previous experience in fundraising or serving on a team responsible for fundraising also required. Knowledge of Illinois history and government a plus.

Benefits: Retirement, paid holidays, vacation days, sick time.

Work location: Springfield, Illinois with some travel within the state.

For more information and to apply, please submit:

-Cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your qualifications.

-Resume

-The names, titles and contact information of three references

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis until a candidate has been hired. Applications may be submitted by regular mail service or by e-mail. Acknowledgement of receipt of an application will be sent to an applicant when the application is submitted.

Please submit the application to:

David Joens, Interim Director

Illinois State Historical Society

411 E. Monroe

P. O. Box 1800

Springfield, IL 62705

clerical@historyillinois.org

Job posting: Processing Archivist, Wheaton College

Janet Olson — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:40:19 GMT

Processing Archivist, Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections, Wheaton IL

Full time; salary range $55,000-60,000. FLSA Status - Exempt

The Wheaton Library and Archives seeks a skilled, collaborative, innovative, and enthusiastic professional for a Processing Archivist position. This role is critical to the Archives & Special Collections’ mission to collect, preserve, and make accessible Wheaton College’s institutional archives and special collections, ensuring long-term access, organization, and stewardship of materials and discoverability for diverse users. The Processing Archivist works collegially and collaboratively within the Archives & Special Collections to ensure excellence and integrity in its collections, services, and programs, and across the Library to promote its mission and values. In partnership with colleagues, the Processing Archivist will plan and manage large and small-scale processing projects, accession new materials, supervise student workers, coordinate with donors, and ensure timely access to archival materials accessioned by Wheaton’s archival repositories. The Processing Archivist will receive all necessary training as well as ongoing mentoring and professional development support.

Under the general supervision of the Head Archivist, the successful candidate will:
• Arrange, rehouse, and preserve archival records, working across diverse physical and digital formats, in accordance with nationally accepted archival principles, standards, and best practices.
• Describe archival collections according to nationally accepted archival standards, generating EAD-encoded finding aids in the repository's collections management database, ArchivesSpace, and creating records in MARC format to upload to the Library's online public access catalog.
• Appraise and accession new collection materials, exercising professional judgement to ascertain the ongoing research value of new collections while faithfully and independently representing administrative, legal, and descriptive information about new materials in ArchivesSpace.
• Contribute to management and control activities, including collections assessment, stacks and equipment maintenance, space planning, and archival supplies monitoring.
• Serve on cross-department initiatives, including digital exhibits and preservation activities, contributing to preservation and reformatting activities.
• Participate in unit-wide meetings, decision-making, and planning activities.
• Supervise, train, and manage archival student workers.
• Provide Manuscripts Reading Room desk coverage on occasion, and support reference and research services as needed.
-This job description is intended to represent key areas of responsibilities; specific assignments may vary from time to time, and other duties may be assigned.

Required Qualifications
• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program in hand or in progress, or equivalent combination of advanced degree in a relevant discipline (Museum Studies, Public History, History) and related experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in a library, archives, or museum setting, working with diverse collections and users.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Capacity to work autonomously, exercise professional judgement, and make independent decisions within the scope of assignments.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks, and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Experience using Microsoft Office suite and comfortable learning new systems and platforms, and applications.
• Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Committed to diversity, growth, and dynamic environments; desire to grow in professional role and develop further expertise.

Preferred Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience appraising, arranging, describing, and preserving format-diverse archival collections of varying size and complexity in a professional setting.
• Understanding of tools, platforms, and software used to manage, preserve, and provide access to physical and digital archival records, such as ArchivesSpace and Preservica.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or recent coursework in metadata standards, particularly Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), AACR2, RDA, and LCSH.
• Subject familiarity with one or more of the collecting foci of the Archives & Special Collections is preferred, particularly the history of evangelical Christianity in the United States.

Faith Requirements
• Affirmation of the Wheaton College Statement of Faith as a faithful expression of one’s own theological convictions
• Affirmation of the biblical standards for Christian character and God-honoring behavior described throughout the Wheaton College Community Covenant, and promise to adhere to them in personal practice
• Support of the Wheaton College Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment, the Gender Equity Vision Statement, and the College’s Convictions on Human Sexuality. These commitments can be found on the Wheaton College website.
Physical Requirements - The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, climb ladders, work with dusty materials, bend or lift up to 40 pounds.

For more information and to apply: https://shorturl.at/TOj4q Please submit both a cover letter and resume as part of your application. Applications that do not include both documents may not be considered. Deadline to apply: 9/30/2026