Archives Technician

About the role

The National Archives and Records Administration is seeking an Archives Technician to support access to its extensive collections. This full‑time position involves both public‑facing reference work and behind‑the‑scenes handling of records to ensure their preservation and availability.

Key responsibilities

• Provide first‑line reference assistance, answering inquiries about archival holdings in both original and surrogate formats.
• Review records before release to researchers, verifying that access restrictions are observed.
• Assist with digitization projects, preparing materials for public access and long‑term retention.
• Assess the physical condition of records, reporting any issues that could affect access or safety.
• Pull, refile, and organize records in accordance with NARA policies.
• Monitor research rooms, delivering customer service and maintaining a secure environment.
• Perform additional archival duties as assigned.

Required profile

• One year of relevant experience in a public, private, or volunteer setting.
• Ability to work with both electronic and analog archival sources.
• Willingness to undergo a background investigation and, if required, a physical abilities test.
• Eligibility to meet federal employment criteria (e.g., Selective Service registration for applicable males).

Required skills

• Experience with digitization of archival materials.
• Familiarity with archival finding‑aid systems and related research tools.