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Archivists

SOC 25-4011.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full professional scope of archivists working in academic, government, corporate, and special collections repositories — from entry-level processing and reference under supervision through executive-level strategic leadership, policy governance, and national standards development.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Archival records and basic classification schemes — apply established organizational systems under faculty or senior archivist supervision in a university or institutional repository setting.
  2. Reference inquiries from researchers — respond to routine requests by locating and retrieving archival materials under direct guidance in a public-facing reading room.
  3. Document descriptions and finding aids — draft preliminary metadata entries following departmental standards under close review by a supervising archivist.
  4. Electronic databases and digital archives — enter and index records into existing database structures using current electronic information storage protocols under direction.
  5. Access and use policies — interpret and communicate existing institutional policy guidelines to patrons, escalating complex cases to senior staff in a regulated archive environment.
  6. Physical records and fragile documents — handle, rehouse, and perform basic preservation tasks using established procedures under supervised conditions in a climate-controlled repository.
  7. Archival materials of historical significance — research provenance information using secondary sources and internal accession records under mentored instruction.
  8. Spreadsheet and database query tools — use standard software applications to track accession data and generate simple inventory reports within an institutional collections management system.
  9. Cataloguing and arrangement workflows — assist senior archivists in arranging newly acquired collections according to the principle of provenance in a professional archive setting.
  10. Written finding aids and descriptive notes — compose clear, grammatically accurate descriptions of archival series using controlled vocabulary under editorial supervision.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Archival classification systems — design and implement series-level arrangement schemes with reduced oversight for mid-sized acquisitions in a government or academic archive.
  2. Reference services for diverse user groups — provide tailored research assistance to scholars, genealogists, and public users navigating complex holdings in a multi-format repository.
  3. Finding aids and descriptive records — independently produce EAD-encoded finding aids conforming to DACS standards for newly processed collections in an institutional archive.
  4. Digital preservation workflows — create and maintain retrievable computer archives by applying current metadata schemas and file format migration strategies in a hybrid analog-digital repository.
  5. Access and use policy questions — advise patrons on copyright, donor restrictions, and privacy considerations by applying existing institutional policy frameworks in day-to-day reference interactions.
  6. Collections maintenance activities — coordinate with support staff to oversee rehousing, labeling, and environmental monitoring tasks in a temperature- and humidity-controlled stacks environment.
  7. Provenance and historical context research — investigate and document the origins and significance of newly acquired materials using primary sources and external historical records.
  8. Document management and imaging software — use scanning, photo imaging, and desktop publishing tools to produce high-quality digital surrogates of archival originals for online access.
  9. Preservation copying projects — execute reformatting of deteriorating records to digital or microfilm formats following established preservation standards in a conservation-aware setting.
  10. Monitoring and quality review — evaluate the accuracy of cataloguing and descriptive work produced by paraprofessional assistants and recommend corrections within an established review cycle.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex archival collections — autonomously appraise, arrange, and describe large or disorganized acquisitions, making independent intellectual judgments about series structure in a research institution or special collections environment.
  2. Reference services for advanced research needs — guide faculty, legal professionals, and documentary filmmakers through intricate or obscure holdings, synthesizing cross-collection evidence in a specialized archival repository.
  3. Comprehensive finding aids and descriptive instruments — produce publication-quality, multi-level EAD finding aids with contextual biographical and organizational histories that meet national archival descriptive standards.
  4. Enterprise-level digital repository systems — architect and administer electronic archives incorporating linked data principles, digital object identifiers, and long-term preservation planning in an institutional or consortium environment.
  5. Access, privacy, and intellectual property policies — interpret ambiguous donor agreements, FOIA obligations, and records law to render independent access decisions on sensitive or restricted materials.
  6. Collections management staff — direct the full work cycle of archival assistants and project cataloguers, setting priorities, resolving technical disputes, and ensuring descriptive quality across an active processing program.
  7. Outreach and exhibition programming — curate thematic archival exhibitions and educational programs that translate primary-source holdings into public-facing narratives for diverse audiences.
  8. Geographic information systems and web platforms — integrate GIS data and web development tools to build interactive online access points that enhance discovery of spatially indexed archival materials.
  9. Preservation risk assessment — evaluate the physical and digital condition of entire collection areas and develop prioritized treatment plans in collaboration with conservators and IT infrastructure teams.
  10. Historical and legal significance research — independently establish and record the provenance, chain of custody, and contextual significance of rare or disputed archival materials for institutional record and scholarly publication.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Institutional archives strategy — set the long-range vision, collection scope, and programmatic priorities for an entire archival program aligned with organizational mission at the executive or directorial level.
  2. Organizational access and use policy frameworks — develop, promulgate, and regularly review comprehensive policy governance structures covering public access, digitization rights, and data privacy across all institutional holdings.
  3. Cross-institutional consortia and national standards — lead collaborative initiatives with peer repositories, professional associations, and standards bodies to shape best practices in archival description and digital preservation at a national level.
  4. Archival workforce development — mentor and train emerging and developing archivists through formal supervision, professional development programs, and structured knowledge-transfer initiatives within a large repository or university system.
  5. Enterprise digital preservation infrastructure — direct the selection, procurement, and governance of repository platforms, metadata standards, and long-term digital stewardship programs at an organizational scale.
  6. Resource allocation and budget stewardship — oversee multi-year operational and capital budgets for collections care, staffing, and technology, justifying investments to institutional leadership and external funding bodies.
  7. Donor relations and acquisitions leadership — cultivate strategic relationships with donors, government agencies, and private collectors to expand institutional holdings in alignment with documented collection development policies.
  8. Equity and inclusive access initiatives — champion institution-wide programs that address historical description biases, expand community archives partnerships, and ensure equitable access to archival resources for underserved populations.
  9. Advocacy and legislative engagement — represent the archival profession before legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and public forums, influencing records management law and information policy at regional or national levels.
  10. Research and professional scholarship — produce and disseminate original scholarship on archival theory, practice, or institutional history that advances the field and elevates the institution's intellectual reputation within the broader scholarly community.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted metadata drafting — uses AI tools to generate initial document descriptions and finding aid entries for straightforward archival materials, then reviews and corrects outputs before committing to the archive system Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Reference query triage — routes simple user inquiries about holdings to an AI assistant for first-pass responses, confirming accuracy against authoritative finding aids before delivery Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Classification system prototyping — directs an AI tool to propose hierarchical arrangement schemes for incoming accessions, then refines the taxonomy against institutional standards and provenance principles Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Batch description acceleration — delegates the drafting of scope-and-content notes for large, homogeneous record series to an AI assistant, reallocating recovered time toward complex collections requiring expert judgment Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Electronic database population — instructs AI tools to extract and structure metadata fields from scanned documents for ingest into archival databases, validating field accuracy record by record Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Policy guidance synthesis — tasks an AI assistant with aggregating relevant access-and-use policy precedents from professional standards bodies, then authors final institutional policy language drawing on that synthesis Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Multi-format finding aid production — orchestrates AI-assisted drafting across complex, multi-series collections while retaining authorial control over arrangement decisions, descriptive standards compliance, and contextual historical narrative Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. User access workflow design — applies AI tools to map and document patron request workflows, identifying bottlenecks, then engineers revised procedures that balance openness with preservation and privacy obligations WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Automation feasibility evaluation — assesses which archival tasks are appropriate for AI delegation versus those requiring irreplaceable professional judgment—such as appraisal and authenticity determination—grounding decisions in the Q2 augmented profile of the occupation's core skills Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Strategic AI integration governance — authors institutional frameworks specifying where AI tools operate within archival workflows, sets quality-control checkpoints, and evaluates emerging information storage technologies for incorporation into long-term digital preservation strategy Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Cross-institutional knowledge transfer — leads peer archivists in adopting AI-assisted description and retrieval practices, demonstrating how the 42.9% collaborative usage pattern translates into measurable throughput gains without compromising descriptive integrity Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 429
Augment share: 42.9%
Time saved: 85.3%
AI autonomy: 3.07
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Archival reference inquiry — responds to basic user questions about collection holdings using standard finding aids and catalog descriptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Document description drafting — writes initial descriptive metadata for archival materials following established format templates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Collection policy communication — conveys basic access and use guidelines to researchers and visitors in clear, accessible language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Finding aid composition — constructs structured finding aids that accurately describe provenance, scope, and content of archival collections for diverse user audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Researcher consultation — conducts reference interviews to clarify users' needs and connects them to relevant primary source materials across multiple formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional reporting — prepares written progress reports on processing, preservation, and digitization activities for supervisors and stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Archival description narrative — produces detailed, professionally formatted collection-level and item-level descriptions that meet national descriptive standards such as DACS or EAD O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-audience presentation — delivers clear oral explanations of archival holdings and research strategies to audiences ranging from academic scholars to members of the general public Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Policy documentation — drafts and revises institutional access, deaccession, and preservation policies using precise professional language appropriate for administrative and public audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Archival standards authorship — authors or co-authors professional publications, grant narratives, or national-standard descriptive guidelines that shape field-wide practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Community outreach communication — designs and delivers educational programs, exhibits, and digital content that translate the historical significance of archival holdings for broad public engagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentored reference practice — coaches junior archivists and practicum students in conducting effective reference interviews and communicating complex provenance information to varied user groups Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Processing project participation — follows supervisor direction in arranging and describing a discrete series within a larger collection, completing assigned tasks within established timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Collection maintenance contribution — takes responsibility for shelving, rehousing, and basic preservation of assigned materials without prompting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Project coordination — manages the processing timeline for a full archival collection, setting interim milestones and communicating progress to supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Student supervision — directs the work of volunteers or practicum students in basic arrangement, description, and digitization tasks O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Policy initiative — proposes revisions to access or preservation policies based on observed gaps and presents recommendations to department leadership Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Archival program management — leads department-level initiatives including digitization projects, collection surveys, and system migrations, coordinating cross-functional teams toward defined outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Staff direction — supervises paraprofessional staff and project archivists in arranging, cataloguing, and exhibiting collections, providing feedback and performance guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic collection development — leads donor negotiations, appraisal decisions, and deaccession processes, taking accountability for the long-term integrity of institutional holdings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional archives leadership — sets vision and strategic direction for an archives program, aligning collection priorities with institutional mission and community needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Profession-wide influence — serves in leadership roles in professional organizations such as SAA, shapes emerging standards, and mentors the next generation of archival professionals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant and resource leadership — secures major funding through competitive grants and philanthropic campaigns, sustaining program growth and preservation capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition10 statements
Emerging
  1. Descriptive self-monitoring — recognizes when an archival description is incomplete or ambiguous and seeks clarification before finalizing metadata records Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy identification — identifies personal gaps in knowledge of archival standards or subject matter and selects appropriate resources to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Processing approach reflection — evaluates own arrangement and description decisions against professional standards and adjusts methodology when inconsistencies are identified Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill gap planning — creates a personal development plan targeting specific technical or subject-knowledge deficiencies identified through self-assessment and supervisor feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Research strategy evaluation — monitors the effectiveness of reference strategies used with researchers and modifies approaches based on user outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Workflow self-optimization — analyzes own processing workflows to identify inefficiencies, tests revised approaches, and integrates improvements into standard practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Appraisal reasoning review — reflects on appraisal and acquisition decisions after implementation, documenting lessons learned to improve future collection development judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Continuous learning integration — tracks developments in digital preservation, metadata standards, and access technologies, deliberately incorporating new knowledge into daily archival practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional knowledge modeling — articulates and documents the tacit reasoning behind complex appraisal and arrangement decisions, creating transferable frameworks for institutional use Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field-level reflective practice — contributes to the profession's self-examination by publishing or presenting critical analyses of evolving archival theory and its practical implications Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Provenance identification — distinguishes between records of different creators within a single accession and applies basic provenance principles to initial sorting decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Source evaluation — assesses the reliability and authenticity of archival materials using visible physical and contextual evidence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Appraisal analysis — evaluates the evidential, informational, and intrinsic value of potential acquisitions against collection scope and institutional mission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Authenticity assessment — examines physical and contextual evidence to identify potential forgeries, misattributions, or misdated materials within a collection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Classification problem-solving — resolves ambiguous arrangement problems by analyzing the administrative history and functional relationships of records creators O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex collection appraisal — synthesizes historical context, institutional priorities, legal requirements, and user demand to make defensible retention and deaccession recommendations for large or contested collections Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Policy gap analysis — identifies weaknesses in existing access, privacy, or preservation policies by examining case outcomes and proposes evidence-based revisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Research significance evaluation — assesses the historical and scholarly significance of unprocessed materials by analyzing creator context, content uniqueness, and relationship to existing holdings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Archival theory application — applies and critically interrogates competing theoretical frameworks—such as postcustodial or participatory archival models—to institutional practice and collection strategy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-collection synthesis — identifies patterns, gaps, and relationships across multiple collections and institutions, producing critical analyses that advance historical scholarship or institutional understanding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Ethical dilemma resolution — evaluates competing obligations around privacy, cultural property, indigenous rights, and access to reach principled, documented decisions on sensitive collection matters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration10 statements
Emerging
  1. Processing team participation — contributes to group collection-processing projects by completing assigned tasks, communicating blockers, and sharing relevant discoveries with colleagues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdepartmental cooperation — works alongside IT, facilities, and administrative staff to coordinate basic logistical needs for collections care and researcher access Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-functional project work — collaborates with curators, librarians, historians, and digital staff on shared projects such as exhibits, digitization initiatives, and finding-aid publication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Donor relationship building — works cooperatively with donors and their representatives during acquisition negotiations, balancing institutional needs with donor intentions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Reference partnership — coordinates with subject librarians and historians to provide researchers with comprehensive access support across complementary collections Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-institutional collaboration — partners with peer institutions on joint preservation projects, shared cataloguing initiatives, or collaborative grant applications, navigating differing institutional cultures and standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Community archive development — collaborates with community members and underrepresented groups to build participatory collecting practices that reflect diverse perspectives and voices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Project team leadership within collaboration — facilitates productive working dynamics among interdisciplinary project teams, resolving tensions and aligning contributors toward shared deliverables Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. National collaborative program leadership — leads multi-institutional consortia or national working groups that establish shared infrastructure, standards, or access platforms for archival communities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Sustainable partnership architecture — designs and sustains long-term collaborative frameworks between archives, cultural heritage organizations, and academic or government partners that outlast individual projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character10 statements
Emerging
  1. Researcher privacy respect — handles sensitive personal information within archival records with discretion and adheres to institutional privacy and access policies without exception Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Materials stewardship — treats archival objects and documents with consistent physical care, recognizing personal accountability for the irreplaceable nature of primary sources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical access administration — enforces access and use policies consistently and transparently, explaining restrictions to users in a manner that reflects institutional integrity rather than personal judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Donor agreement adherence — upholds deed-of-gift restrictions and donor intentions in processing and access decisions, escalating ambiguities through proper institutional channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional transparency — documents arrangement and appraisal decisions fully, including rationale for what was not retained, maintaining an honest intellectual record of archival choices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cultural property ethics — navigates repatriation requests, indigenous cultural heritage claims, and looted-materials inquiries with integrity, applying professional ethical codes and institutional policy consistently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conflict of interest management — identifies and discloses personal or professional conflicts in acquisition, appraisal, or access decisions, recusing appropriately to protect institutional trust Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Accountability in preservation — reports preservation failures, security incidents, or policy violations accurately and promptly, prioritizing collections integrity over institutional reputation management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics standard authorship — contributes to the development or revision of professional codes of ethics through participation in SAA or analogous bodies, shaping field-wide standards of conduct Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional integrity modeling — serves as a visible exemplar of professional ethics in high-stakes situations involving disputed provenance, sensitive records, or public controversy, building lasting trust in the institution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity10 statements
Emerging
  1. Finding aid structure experimentation — explores alternative organizational schemes for a collection when standard hierarchical arrangement does not adequately reflect the records' context or use Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. User access ideation — suggests new pathways or tools for helping researchers discover relevant materials based on observed reference interactions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Descriptive language innovation — develops vivid, precise scope and content notes that convey the historical richness of a collection beyond minimum standards, enhancing discoverability and researcher engagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Outreach program design — creates original educational events, exhibits, or digital content that illuminate archival holdings for non-specialist audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Preservation solution development — devises practical, cost-effective housing and reformatting solutions for unusual or fragile formats that fall outside standard procedures O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Digital access innovation — designs or pilots new digital presentation formats—such as interactive timelines, linked data implementations, or virtual exhibits—that expand public engagement with archival collections Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collection development creativity — identifies and pursues non-traditional or underrepresented collecting areas that meaningfully expand institutional documentation of overlooked communities or subjects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Processing methodology adaptation — invents modified arrangement strategies for complex hybrid or born-digital collections where established methodologies are inadequate Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-advancing innovation — develops and disseminates original frameworks, tools, or methodologies—such as new metadata schemas or participatory description models—that are adopted by the broader archival profession Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Transformative programming — conceives and executes signature programs or exhibits that reposition the institution's archives as a creative and civic resource, generating significant public and scholarly impact Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset10 statements
Emerging
  1. Standards learning engagement — actively studies current archival standards such as DACS, EAD, and RDA, accepting correction and guidance from experienced colleagues during initial practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — receives critical feedback on description drafts, arrangement decisions, and reference interactions without defensiveness and applies suggestions in subsequent work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technology adoption — embraces new archival management systems, digitization technologies, and metadata platforms as opportunities for skill growth rather than sources of disruption Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback reframing — treats backlog accumulation, failed grant applications, or collection losses as learning situations that inform improved strategies and resource planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional development pursuit — actively seeks continuing education, conference participation, and peer learning opportunities to extend archival expertise beyond current role requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emerging format mastery — pursues fluency in managing born-digital collections, audiovisual materials, and electronic records formats even when these fall outside prior training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Iterative practice improvement — systematically reviews completed projects for lessons learned and incorporates findings into refined procedures for future processing and description work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Field evolution engagement — follows debates in archival theory and practice—including postcustodial models, reparative description, and digital preservation—and integrates evolving perspectives into professional stance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Transformative challenge pursuit — voluntarily takes on the institution's most difficult archival problems—such as large backlogs, legacy description revision, or obsolete-format migration—modeling persistence and mastery-oriented effort for colleagues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Growth culture cultivation — creates institutional conditions that normalize experimentation, professional risk-taking, and learning from failure among archival staff at all levels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness10 statements
Emerging
  1. Detail attention regulation — maintains focused attention during repetitive processing tasks such as refoldering, reboxing, and basic description to prevent errors in labeling or arrangement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Researcher interaction presence — gives full attention to reference consultations, avoiding distraction to accurately understand user needs before responding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Emotional regulation in sensitive research — manages personal responses when processing collections containing disturbing historical content—such as records of atrocity, trauma, or exploitation—maintaining professional composure and care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Prioritization intentionality — consciously assesses competing demands across active processing projects, reference obligations, and administrative duties to allocate attention effectively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Researcher frustration response — recognizes and responds calmly to researcher disappointment when requested materials are restricted, unavailable, or have not survived, maintaining service orientation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Preservation decision deliberateness — approaches high-stakes preservation and appraisal decisions with intentional slowness, resisting pressure to act before fully evaluating evidence and consequences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Vicarious trauma awareness — monitors cumulative emotional impact of sustained exposure to historically painful collections and proactively employs self-care strategies to sustain professional effectiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Present-moment focus in digitization — maintains consistent attention to quality standards during extended digitization work, catching technical errors before they compound across large image sets Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Institutional stress navigation — models composed, grounded decision-making during organizational crises such as disaster response, emergency preservation, or budget cuts, steadying staff through uncertainty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mindful leadership practice — integrates intentionality and reflective pause into supervisory and strategic decision-making, creating a departmental culture characterized by deliberate rather than reactive action Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude10 statements
Emerging
  1. Backlog persistence — continues processing work on large, unorganized collections despite slow visible progress, maintaining consistent effort over extended periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ambiguity tolerance — works through archival problems with incomplete provenance or missing documentation without abandoning the task or seeking premature closure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Disaster recovery engagement — participates in emergency salvage operations for water- or fire-damaged collections, sustaining effort under physically and emotionally demanding conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant rejection resilience — resubmits revised grant proposals after rejection, incorporating reviewer feedback and maintaining commitment to preservation or access objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Controversial access decision follow-through — implements and defends difficult access restriction or repatriation decisions in the face of researcher or donor pressure, upholding policy with consistency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-horizon project commitment — sustains leadership and energy across multi-year processing or digitization projects that span personnel changes, budget fluctuations, and shifting institutional priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Obsolescence challenge endurance — persists in migrating and preserving at-risk digital and audiovisual materials despite significant technical obstacles, resource constraints, and format instability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional advocacy persistence — continues advocating for adequate staffing, space, and funding for archival operations through repeated budget cycles and administrative resistance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Crisis preservation leadership — leads institutional or community response to major collection emergencies—including natural disaster, conflict, or neglect—sustaining operations and morale under sustained adversity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic change courage — advances reparative description, repatriation, or community-centered archival practices in the face of institutional resistance, sustaining effort across the long arc of cultural change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Accessioning Archivist · Archives Specialist · Archives Technician (Archives Tech) · Archivist · Digital Archivist · Digital Asset Archivist · Digitization Assistant · Document Management Technician (Document Management Tech) · Document Scanner · Film Archivist · Image Archivist · Museum Archivist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingActive LearningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoring
Knowledge domains
History and ArcheologyEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEducation and TrainingLaw and Government
Abilities
Category FlexibilityWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionInformation OrderingNear VisionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningSpeech Recognition
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityIntegrityIntellectual CuriosityCautiousnessCooperation
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareDocument management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareVideo creation and editing softwareWeb platform development softwareDevelopment environment softwareGeographic information systemEnterprise application integration softwareSpreadsheet software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
  2. Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
  3. Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
  4. Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
  5. Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
  6. Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
  7. Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.
  8. Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
CIP education codes
25.010330.120130.120230.129930.140130.520130.520230.520350.070354.0105

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.