Audiovisual Archivist

Description

The University of Houston (UH) Libraries seeks a collaborative and resourceful candidate for the position of Audiovisual Archivist. This position is part of the Special Collections department, which supports teaching, learning, and scholarship, on campus and globally, with primary source collections of distinction in priority collecting areas including university archives, energy and sustainability, Houston and Texas history, women’s studies, performing and visual arts, and LGBT history. The Audiovisual Archivist will work closely with archivists, librarians, and staff to achieve the goals of the Special Collections department in alignment with the strategic priorities of UH Libraries.

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the Audiovisual Archivist will develop and implement policies, procedures, and workflows for the stewardship, description, access, and use of audiovisual collections held by Special Collections. At a broader level, the successful candidate is expected to collaborate with Libraries’ colleagues to ensure the responsible management and long-term access of audiovisual collections. The position serves as the primary subject specialist for the KUHT and KUHF collections and works closely with colleagues in Preservation and Reformatting, Resource Management and Metadata, and Library Information Technology to support preservation and reformatting initiatives, collection description, and discovery.

The Audiovisual Archivist is a promotion-eligible librarian position. Librarians hold academic rank pursuant to the University of Houston Libraries’ Bylaws and are expected to develop a record of service, scholarship, and professional involvement. UH Libraries supports the ongoing professional development of librarians, and our goal is to recruit librarians committed to continuous learning.

The University of Houston prepares students to thrive and contribute impactful research and innovation to the region and beyond. We welcome candidates who are prepared to engage in this environment.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited program
  • Experience with audiovisual collections management best practices
  • Experience managing access to audiovisual collections in a wide variety of formats
  • Ability to work strategically and collaboratively with stakeholders
  • Demonstrated excellent communication skills

Preferred:

  • Experience with obsolete media types
  • Experience with space planning for audiovisual collections storage
  • Experience with audiovisual repositories and audiovisual digital collections
  • Experience identifying preservation condition concerns in audiovisual collections

Salary

Salary is dependent on qualifications and rank. The salary range is $66,000-$68,000 for Assistant Librarians and $73,000-$75,000 for Associate Librarians. We anticipate filling this position at the rank of Assistant Librarian. Comprehensive benefits package; choice of retirement programs, including TIAA; tax-deferred annuity program available; release time to take a class up to 3 hours/week; no state or local income tax.

How to Apply

Apply at https://careers.uh.edu/jobs/audiovisual-archivist-librarian-houston-texas-united-states. Applications must include a cover letter, CV or resume, contact information for three (3) professional references, and an unofficial transcript of ALA-accredited library/information science degree. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Visit the UH Libraries Employment page at https://libraries.uh.edu/about/employment/. Potential applicants seeking further information should contact Santi Thompson, Associate Dean for Librarian Affairs and Operations, at 713-743-9685 or [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidate.
All positions at the University of Houston System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of Texas for the duration of their appointments.

Library Information

UH Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance, HathiTrust, the Council on Library and Information Resources, the Digital Library Federation, the Texas Digital Library, Associate of Academic Health Sciences Libraries, and the South Central Academic Medical Libraires Consortium. The campus libraries provide access to over 3.1 million volumes. The University Libraries’ total staff is 160 FTE, including 62 professionals. Additional information about UH Libraries is available at https://libraries.uh.edu. UH Libraries’ 2021-2027 strategic plan (https://libraries.uh.edu/strategic-plan) is in alignment with the University’s ambitious strategic plan (https://uh.edu/strategic-plan/).

General Information

The University of Houston, a dynamic research institution founded in 1927, stands as a vibrant hub of academic excellence and cultural diversity in Texas. With over 46,000 students, it offers a comprehensive range of programs across 15 colleges, fostering innovation in fields such as energy, health, hospitality, business, education, law, STEM, and the humanities. Boasting top-tier faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, student success initiatives, and a strong commitment to community engagement, UH prepares students to thrive in a globally interconnected world.

The University’s prime location in America’s fourth-largest city supports extensive industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities. Renowned for its energy industry and NASA’s Space Center, Houston is home to a vibrant cultural scene with world-class museums, theaters, and restaurants. The University of Houston is an institutional member of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. Houston thrives as a hub for innovation, education, and arts, fostering a unique blend of community charm and modern progress. 

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.

Updated on August 25, 2026