Job Opening Title:
Assistant Archivist (Archivist I)
Name of Employer:
Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives
Job Site Location (City AND State):
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Application Deadline:
August 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Minimum Degree Requirement:
Master’s Degree
Years of experience required:
1-3
Salary Range:
$30.00-$33.00
Job Opening URL:
Job Description (if URL to posting not available). Include instructions for how to apply:
About the Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives
Established in 1980 and incorporated as a non-profit society in 1984, the Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives acquires, preserves, describes, and provides access to records documenting the history and development of Prince Rupert and the surrounding North Coast.
Our holdings include photographs, textual records, maps and architectural plans, audiovisual materials, newspapers, publications, and community records. These collections document the people, organizations, industries, cultures, and events that have shaped the region.
The Archives serves community members, researchers, students, educators, government agencies, heritage organizations, and members of the public through reference services, research assistance, exhibitions, educational programming, and access to archival collections.
About the Position
The Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives is seeking an organized, collaborative, and service-oriented professional to join its team as Assistant Archivist (Archivist I).
Reporting to and working directly under the Head Archivist, the Assistant Archivist supports the professional and day-to-day operations of the Archives. The position will have a strong focus on processing archival collections, including accessioning, arrangement, description, physical rehousing, location control, and the preparation of finding aids and other descriptive tools.
The successful candidate will work with collections that include both newly acquired and previously unprocessed archival materials. They will help address the Archives’ processing backlog while improving the physical and intellectual control, discoverability, preservation, and accessibility of its holdings.
The Assistant Archivist will also contribute to reference services, digitization, collections maintenance, donor communications, public programming, and other operational priorities assigned by the Head Archivist.
Primary Responsibilities
Archival Processing, Arrangement and Description:
Process archival accessions and previously unprocessed collections under the direction of the Head Archivist.
Survey collections and develop appropriate processing plans.
Arrange records according to provenance, original order, archival hierarchy, and established professional practice.
Prepare fonds-, series-, file-, and item-level descriptions, as appropriate.
Apply the Canadian Rules for Archival Description (RAD) and the Archives’ internal descriptive policies.
Create, edit, and maintain inventories, finding aids, authority records, accession records, and other descriptive documentation.
Conduct historical and administrative research necessary to establish the context of records and their creators.
Enter and update descriptive information in the Archives’ collections-management systems.
Record and maintain accurate shelving, container, and storage-location information.
Prepare descriptions and research tools for use by staff, researchers, and the general public.
Collections Management and Preservation
Accession incoming donations and transfers and assist with maintaining accession documentation.
Support the preparation and administration of deeds of gift, transfer forms, temporary custody forms, and related documentation.
Rehouse archival materials using appropriate enclosures and storage supplies.
Undertake physical processing activities such as foldering, boxing, labelling, numbering, and shelf arrangement.
Identify basic preservation concerns and refer significant issues to the Head Archivist.
Carry out appropriate preventive-preservation activities, including surface cleaning and the removal of damaging fasteners or enclosures.
Assist with environmental monitoring, collections inspections, storage planning, and emergency-preparedness activities.
Prepare, pack, receive, and relocate archival materials between workspaces and storage areas.
Help maintain orderly, secure, and accurate storage environments.
Reference and Public Services
Respond to routine reference inquiries received in person, by telephone, and by email.
Assist researchers in identifying and accessing relevant archival and published materials.
Supervise use of materials in the reading room and help ensure compliance with handling and access procedures.
Assist with researcher registration, request tracking, reproduction orders, and reference statistics.
Conduct research using archival collections, newspapers, directories, databases, and other local-history resources.
Apply established restrictions and procedures relating to privacy, copyright, donor agreements, and access.
Prepare digital reproductions, photocopies, citations, and permissions documentation when required.
Digitization and Information Management
Digitize photographs, documents, and other archival materials according to established standards and procedures.
Perform quality control and create appropriate filenames, folder structures, and metadata.
Assist with the management of digitized and born-digital records.
Assist with the maintenance and development of the Archives’ website, including updating content, organizing digital resources, improving website navigation and information architecture, and supporting online exhibits and collection-access tools.
Support data cleanup, database maintenance, digital-storage organization, and migration projects.
Contribute to the development and improvement of digital-preservation and digitization workflows.
Work with archival databases and collections-management systems such as DB/TextWorks, and ArchivEra, or comparable systems.
Outreach and Organizational Support
Assist with exhibitions, displays, presentations, workshops, educational activities, tours, and community events, and assist with maintaining accurate, accessible, and well-organized online content.
Prepare archival information for newsletters, social media, the Archives’ website, and other public communications.
Support collaborative projects with community groups, cultural organizations, libraries, museums, government offices, and educational institutions.
Assist with oral-history, documentation, and community-archiving initiatives when assigned.
Provide guidance to volunteers, students, interns, or temporary staff working on delegated archival projects.
Participate in staff meetings, project planning, professional development, and the review of archival policies and procedures.
Undertake other related archival, research, administrative, and operational duties assigned by the Head Archivist.
Required Qualifications
A master’s degree in library and information science, archival studies, information studies, records management, public history, or a closely related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of archival principles and practices, including accessioning, appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, and access.
Experience arranging and describing archival materials.
Working knowledge of the Canadian Rules for Archival Description (RAD).
Experience preparing finding aids, inventories, catalogue records, or other descriptive tools.
Experience safely handling and physically processing archival materials.
Strong research, writing, editing, and organizational skills.
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to produce consistently accurate work.
Ability to manage multiple assignments, establish priorities, and work effectively with limited supervision.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, donors, researchers, and members of the public.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable workplace applications.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in person and in writing.
Assets
One to three years of professional or paraprofessional experience in an archives, library, museum, cultural centre, records office, or other heritage organization.
Experience gained through an archival or library practicum, internship, co-op placement, or substantial volunteer appointment.
Experience working with photographs, audiovisual records, maps, architectural plans, oral histories, newspapers, or born-digital records.
Familiarity with archival collections-management systems such as DB/TextWorks, AtoM, ArchivesSpace, ArchivEra, or similar platforms.
Knowledge of metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, authority control, and digital-preservation practices.
Familiarity with Canadian copyright, privacy, freedom-of-information, and access-to-information requirements.
Experience providing reference services or working directly with researchers and the public.
Experience with digitization equipment, image-editing software, and digital quality-control procedures.
Knowledge of British Columbia, Prince Rupert, or North Coast history.
Experience contributing to exhibitions, educational programming, community outreach, or grant-funded projects.
Knowledge of or experience with website design and maintenance, content management systems, website information architecture, web accessibility, user experience, or basic web technologies is considered an asset.
Recent graduates with strong archival coursework and meaningful practicum or processing experience are encouraged to apply.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range is $30.00–$33.00 per hour, equivalent to approximately $54,600–$60,060 annually based on a 35-hour work week. Placement within the range will be based on the successful candidate’s education, experience, and demonstrated qualifications.
The position includes:
Three weeks of paid vacation annually.
Two weeks of paid sick leave annually.
Opportunities for professional learning and participation in archival projects, exhibitions, and community partnerships.
The position includes eligibility for participation in the Municipal Pension Plan.
How to Apply:
Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter describing their interest in the position and explaining how their education and experience meet the qualifications, along with a current curriculum vitae and contact information for three professional references.
Applications should be emailed to:
Brandon Carkner, Head Archivist
bcarkner@princerupertarchives.
Please use the subject line:
Application – Assistant Archivist (Archivist I)
Application deadline: August 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Anticipated start date: To be discussed with the successful candidate, with flexibility available for relocation.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Any offer of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory professional references and the successful completion of all required employment screening, including a Police Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening.
This is an on-site position based in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The Archives welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. The anticipated start date will be discussed with the successful candidate, and reasonable scheduling flexibility will be provided where relocation is required.
Equity and Accessibility
The Prince Rupert City & Regional Archives is committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applications from qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives.
Applicants requiring accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process are invited to identify their needs when contacted. Information relating to accommodation will be treated confidentially.
Reasonable workplace accommodations will be provided throughout the recruitment process and employment in accordance with applicable requirements.