Archives and Special Collections Librarian

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

 

Title (Function): Archives and Special Collections Librarian

Department: John U. Tomlinson Library
Reporting To: Head of Technical Services
FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $58,000.00-61,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

Open Date: 01/15/2026

Close Date: 02/01/2026 11:59 PM MST

SECTION I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE

At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values
Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

SECTION II – THE SEAT

At CMU, we look at every position as a seat. Every seat is vital and the individual in the seat contributes significantly to our mission of providing an affordable and accessible education and forming meaningful and mutually enriching partnerships that support the well-being and vibrancy of our community. As a human centric organization, a priority is to ensure we have the “right seats” in our organization, and that the expectations, ownership and accountabilities are defined and communicated clearly for the success of the individuals holding the seats.

OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS

Responsible for the management, selection, processing and preservation of books, manuscripts, archives, photographs and other materials within Archives and Special Collections. Selects materials for other academic departments as assigned. Provides assistance to individuals or groups locating and assessing information resources. Reports to Head of Technical Services.

ROLES

• In consultation with supervisor, provides vision and goals for the Dept. and sets priorities.
• Manages the daily operations of Archives and Special Collections.
• Develops and maintains procedures, workflows, and documentation for the Dept.
• Selects, accessions, processes, and deaccessions archival collections.
• Manage collections using ArchivesSpace.
• Identifies, digitizes, and contributes content and metadata to the digital archive using CONTENTdm.
• Develops and manages Special Collections.
• Provides research assistance and access to Archives and Special Collections.
• Promotes use of collections through classroom instruction, displays, outreach, public presentations, tours, exhibitions, and marketing materials.
• Develops online resources including LibGuides, tutorials, and departmental web pages.
• Keeps abreast of archival management trends through participation in professional associations, webinars and/or publications.
• Serves as library liaison to assigned academic departments by coordinating relevant acquisitions with department faculty as well as preparing library assessments for new courses, programs, and accreditation reviews. May include library instruction.
• Contributes to committee work.

 Other duties may be assigned as needed by our business.

SECTION III – OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT

For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a “Right Fit” in our seats. We define “Right Fit” as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or Archival Studies from an ALA accredited institution.
• Minimum three years of professional experience in archives/special collections performing duties such as appraising, accessioning, processing, preserving and providing access to archival collections
• Coursework relevant to archival management such as from library school or SAA. Knowledge of and experience using standards such as DACS, EAD, DCRM, MARC, and Dublin Core. Proficiency using an archival management system such as ArchivesSpace or Access to Memory (AtoM). Proficiency using a digital asset management system such as CONTENTdm is preferred.
• Proficiency using MS Office software such as Word and Excel is preferred.
• Proven record of strong service orientation and positive interpersonal skills is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to solve practical problems with effective attention to detail is preferred.
• Demonstrates good judgement in decision making is preferred.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability. 

DIRECT INQUIRIES CONTACT: Sylvia Rael, [email protected]

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for. Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor.  Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment.
• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)

ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings. 

Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.

At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.

The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.