Archives Assistant

Department: Library 

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Head, Archives and Special Collections

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: July 9, 2026

Requisition ID: 11590 

Vacancies: Two (2)

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Head, Archives and Special Collections, the Archives Assistant will support Archives and Special Collections in the completion of a remediation, rehousing, and moving project. This position requires expertise in safe handling of archival materials, physical processing, arrangement and description, and collections maintenance. The Archives Assistant will prepare and receive shipments of archival material to and from storage, assess and physically process archival material, arrange and describe archival material, move and organize boxes on shelves, and assign storage locations.

The ideal candidate is detailed oriented, organized, and proficient in processing, arranging, and describing archival materials. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate are required as this role works closely with the Head, Archives and Special Collections and the Archives Administrator to complete their tasks.

Accountabilities

Physical Processing

• Completes physical processing tasks, such as re-foldering, re-boxing, labeling, and storing archival materials
• Assesses the physical preservation needs of archival material
• Conducts basic preservation tasks, such as dry surface cleaning, removing damaged hardware, and flattening archival material

Arrangement and Description

• Organizes and compiles information for descriptive records
• Arranges and describes archival material according to industry standards (Rules for Archival Description) and in-house policies and procedures
• Creates, edits, and publishes finding aids using archival management systems, such as Access to Memory (AtoM)

Collections Maintenance

• Receives shipments of archival material, including verifying shipment contents and shelving boxes
• Prepares shipments of archival material, including packing boxes and preparing and verifying box lists
• Organizes boxes on shelves and assigns locations in AtoM

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus one year post secondary
• Minimum one-year relevant work experience in archives or other heritage organizations;
• Archival or conservation technician diploma preferred;
• Experience completing physical processing work, such as foldering, boxing, labeling, and storing archival material;
• Experience completing preservation tasks, such as cleaning, removing hardware, and flattening archival material;
• Experience applying and interpreting the Rules for Archival Description, metadata standards, and relevant controlled vocabularies;
• Experience using archival management systems, such as Access to Memory (AtoM);
• Proven attention to detail, and ability to work in a consistently accurate and efficient manner;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively;
• Strong organization and time management skills;
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.

Hours of Work: This is a full-time, limited term role with an approximate end date of January 29, 2027. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy).

Compensation:

Level: A

Rate of Pay: $28.86 to $30.52 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $32.98 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.