Job Summary
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) Libraries is excited to invite applications from collaborative and creative candidates for the position of Innovations in Jewish Life Archivist! The Innovations in Jewish Life Archivist is a two year, limited-term teaching faculty position that will manage the University Libraries’ unique Innovations in Jewish Life (IJL) archival collections, which document the work of individuals and groups who transformed the American Jewish experience from post-World War II to the present.
The IJL collections are co-stewarded by both the Libraries and CU’s Program in Jewish Studies (JWST). The position’s primary responsibilities include supporting collection development of the IJL collections, including appraisal, acquisition, and accessioning; leading Libraries instruction sessions with these materials for classes across campus units; participating in related ongoing grant-funded activities co-led by the Libraries and JWST; supporting Libraries and JWST fellowship programs and other opportunities for outreach and engagement with the IJL collections; and delivering reference services and student support for these collections. In close collaboration with other archivists in the University Libraries, the Innovations in Jewish Life Archivist will also process, arrange, and describe IJL archival collections, supervise student employees, interns, apprentices, and/or volunteers to assist with this work, and participate in weekly service point shifts in the Reading Room in Norlin Library.
This position is 100% librarianship; research and service duties are not required by this role. The Innovations in Jewish Life Archivist has the opportunity to work in a hybrid capacity and reports to the Head of the Distinctive Collections & Institutional Memory Unit. The Distinctive Collections & Institutional Memory Unit is part of the Collection and Archival Strategy Department which is part of the Research and Innovation Strategies Division. Please see the Libraries’ organizational chart.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
Mission
We are a knowledge catalyst. We fuel inquiry, discovery, collaboration, creation, and the dissemination of knowledge. We welcome everyone, wherever they are on their educational journey.
Vision
An information-empowered world.
Values
Include • Empower • Connect • Learn • Inspire
Our values define our interactions within the Libraries and radiate outwardly. This means that we develop a culture that compassionately and authentically embodies our values in all aspects of our work.
The University Libraries encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that person may be one who comes from a less traditional background. As you review the qualifications, please think about how your qualifications are transferable if (at first) they do not seem directly related. Share how your skills translate in your cover letter. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every preferred qualification.
About the University, Libraries and Archives, and Program in Jewish Studies:
As the flagship University of a multi-campus system in the State of Colorado, CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners situated on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country. As one of 35 U.S. public institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
CU Boulder is committed to Colorado communities through collaborative research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our faculty, staff and students work with the broader community to establish unique connections that have lasting outcomes—both across Colorado and around the world. The CU Systemwide Lands Recognition Statement, arrived at after connecting with Native American groups on all CU campuses, as well as with campus chief diversity officers, chancellors and system leadership, is available at https://president.cu.edu/statements/cu-systemwide-lands-recognition-statement.
The University Libraries faculty and staff are diverse, dedicated, and hardworking people who share this vision and mission. Our organization employs professionals of various academic tracks and ranks as well as university and classified staff, and all work is valued and appreciated regardless of position type. The Libraries are a member of the Association of Research Libraries and hold the largest collection in the Rocky Mountain region. The Libraries faculty and staff collaborate internally, with colleagues beyond the campus and with our clients to advance information literacy, intellectual freedom, lifelong learning, the disciplinary growth of information, and the amplification of knowledge.
The University Libraries maintains a formal partnership with the CU’s Program in Jewish Studies to manage the Innovations in Jewish Life Collections. The Program in Jewish Studies explores Jewish culture, history, society and thought from a broad, interdisciplinary perspective. Program faculty include an Academic Director of the Innovation in Jewish Life Collections who is appointed by the Director of Jewish Studies and advises the Libraries on collection development and engagement with these archives.
The University of Colorado Boulder Libraries’ Archives was founded in 1918 and holds more than 1,800 collections and 40,000 linear feet of materials. This includes manuscripts, correspondence, diaries, photographs, posters, sound recordings, and moving images. Current collecting foci includes the Atomic West, Innovations in Jewish Life, American popular music, experimental film and video, Rocky Mountain counterculture and social change, and the history and records of University of Colorado Boulder campus and its faculty and students.
About Boulder, Colorado
Boulder and the surrounding area are known as one of the best places to live because of the spectacular setting, acres of open space, and vibrant atmosphere. At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of vast open space entwine into Boulder's cityscape nestled into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Home to approximately 90,000 residents, Boulder has a mild, dry climate with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Boulder offers activities for every interest.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Collaborates with CU Boulder’s Program in Jewish Studies (JWST) and the Senior Collections Archivist to appraise, acquire, and accession new archival collections documenting Innovations in Jewish Life (JL), following the Libraries’ collection development policies;
- Offers primary source instruction in the Libraries for classes using IJL archival collections, in collaboration with other Libraries personnel engaged in instruction and with other faculty as appropriate;
- Participates in and supports ongoing grant-funded activities related to the IJL collections, in collaboration with the Senior Collections Archivist and JWST;
- Supports and delivers opportunities for student, faculty, staff, and community engagement with the IJL collections through outreach events, exhibits, fellowship programs, and/or curation of collection materials for digitization and inclusion in the CU Digital Library, in collaboration with JWST and/or other Libraries personnel;
- Provides reference and student support for the IJL collections by holding research consultations, supporting JWST and Libraries research fellows with research assistance, creating LibGuides, and assisting the Reference Archivist with other patron reference needs; and
- Researches, processes, re-houses, arranges, and describes new acquisitions and legacy archival materials in the Innovations in Jewish Life (IJL) collections, including creating finding aids in ArchivesSpace, in accordance with institutional policies and professional best practices.
- Participates in weekly service point shifts in the Reading Room and other Libraries’ service points as assigned.
What You Should Know
This position is offered in a hybrid capacity. There will be an information session on Monday, October 5, 2026 from 11:00-11:45 pm MT. At this information session, the search committee will share information about the Innovations in Jewish Life Archivist job search, working at CU Boulder, and answer attendee questions. A webinar link will be provided to registrants via email.
What We Can Offer
- The successful candidate will be appointed as a full-time (12-month) teaching professor-track faculty member at the Assistant Teaching Professor rank. The salary range for Assistant Teaching Professor is $75,000-$90,000. A candidate with seven or more years of professional experience may be eligible for the rank of Associate Teaching Professor with a starting salary range of $83,000-$98,000.
- Limited relocation assistance may be available within University Libraries guidelines.
- Faculty receive limited professional development funds annually.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, or Public History with a focus or concentration in archives management;
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working with archival collections;
- Demonstrated initiative and flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively;
- Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and collaborate with and receive input from others while supporting a welcoming and inclusive environment;
- Experience applying professional best practices to the arrangement and description of archival collections, including using ArchivesSpace to create finding aids.
What You Will Need
- Experience supporting or leading collection development activities for archival collections;
- Experience supporting or leading instruction, outreach, and/or engagement opportunities for archival collections;
- Experience delivering reference services for archival collections.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Experience conducting appraisal and accessioning of acquisitions of archival collections;
- Experience supporting relationships with donors of archival collections;
- Experience identifying and resolving preservation concerns for archival collections;
- Degree, coursework, or related professional experience in Religious Studies or Jewish Studies;
- Proficiency in Hebrew and/or Yiddish.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A cover letter of application specifically addressing qualifications for the position
- CV/Resume
References will be requested at a later stage in the search process.
Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on October 11, 2026, to receive full consideration.
Questions may be directed to George Karpoff, Search Coordinator, at [contact details available in the full listing].
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: George Karpoff
Posting Contact Email: [contact details available in the full listing]
