what is an archivist?
As an archivist, you prepare archive descriptions and ensure that electronic and physical records are stored correctly according to current guidelines. Your tasks may involve organizing documents in various case management systems and training your colleagues in information security and archiving procedures. You develop and implement the institutions’ digital archives and carry out disposals. In your role as archivist, you may assist in providing public records and answering questions about the institution’s archives and information management.
what does an archivist do?
If you appreciate working independently but also in collaboration with other professional groups, the role of archivist is right for you. The work includes preserving and organizing information that you also make available to others, both in physical and digital form. You create archive inventories, work with documents in case management systems, and store records correctly according to current legislation.
Some of your tasks may involve supporting others in your organisation by providing guidance and training on how to archive and register documents. You sort and review materials according to current regulations, and respond to incoming questions from the public about the contents of the archive. As an archivist, you can work on short-term consulting assignments or more long-term management. You need to be highly flexible and able to handle detailed archival work, while also having an advisory role within different areas of operation.
archivist jobsaverage salary as an archivist.
The average salary for an archivist in Sweden is 37,600 kronor per month. For newly graduated archivists, the median salary is about 31,000 kronor. More experienced archivists in the highest salary category, such as archive managers, can earn over 45,000 kronor per month.
The salary level varies depending on the complexity of the position as well as the person's experience and skills. Salary development can look different in various labor market sectors. An archivist's salary can be affected by the applicable collective agreement, which sets the base salary and determines the salary levels. The location of the workplace also affects the salary, which is lower in smaller cities. Various bonuses and employment benefits may be added, which means that the average salary does not always reflect the total salary.
factors that affect the salary as an archivist.
Several factors can affect your salary as an archivist. The average salary is usually based on a full-time position. If you are employed part-time, you can expect a lower salary. Your geographic area also affects the salary level, with larger municipalities and big cities offering a higher salary, which is because specialist expertise is often required there.
The level of responsibility and degree of specialization you have can affect your salary. An archivist who is responsible for a complex information environment, with tasks related to data security, usually receives a higher salary. Experience and qualifications have a positive effect on salary, while the sector you work in also matters. The public sector often has a fixed salary through collective agreements, while private employers offer higher compensation based on budget and hiring needs.
different roles of archivists.
Within the concept of archivist, there are several different professional roles with various specialties. Here are some of the roles described:
- Records manager: You classify documents and assess what should be kept or discarded. Your work combines scientific and administrative tasks where you create archive inventories and ensure that documents are preserved for the future.
- Information specialist: You are responsible for digitisation, which includes managing metadata. You develop digital local archives and long-term preservation according to various standards.
- Records manager: This job title can also be called municipal records manager. You work in the public sector and are responsible for ensuring that archives in municipalities, regions, and authorities comply with the principle of public access and the archives act. You may work with disposal and maintaining confidentiality.
- Conservation archivist: Often works at museums, archives, and larger institutions with a focus on conservation strategies. A conservation or preservation archivist specializes in physical conservation, handling sensitive materials.
working as an archivist.
The profession of archivist involves structuring and managing information, which is stored in both physical and digital formats. Your methodical work forms the foundation for good service and advice.
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work tasks
Working as an archivist includes, among other things:
- Digital and physical management: You organize physical records such as photographs, paper archives, and maps. In your work, you also handle digital documents and provide them with the correct structure and metadata before they are stored in the archive. Nowadays, this is done in various case management and e-archive systems.
- Sorting and review: Materials in the archive may regularly need to be reviewed and examined to determine what is valuable in the long term. You remove what no longer needs to be preserved according to current guidelines.
- User service: You assist citizens, researchers, and other users in finding documents. Advising and communication are an important part, where you are responsible for informing about the archive's structure and content.
- Preservation and standards: To preserve the archive, you work to ensure metadata and follow international standards for digital long-term archives, such as OAIS and PREMIS.
- Collaboration: You work closely with other professional roles such as lawyers, administrators, and IT specialists to promote orderly information management.
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work environment
You mainly work indoors at government agencies, offices, universities, and various institutions. This means your work environment will primarily be in archive rooms with climate control, or in an office setting. If you work with physical archives, most of your workday will involve moving boxes with documents and binders as well as archive cartons. This may involve heavy lifting. Working alone can occur in traditional archives, where you carry out relocation projects and inventory tasks. Digital work in front of screens is common, which includes system registration and handling of metadata.
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your colleagues
In your role as an archivist, you work together with colleagues in information management. Among these are IT security specialist, lawyers, administrators and communicators. Quality managers or data protection officers are responsible for preserving documentation and may need to collaborate with you to maintain guidelines in the organization.
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work schedule
Operations depend on having accurate information management around the clock. This is especially important in the public sector, where it is crucial that the right documentation is available. Therefore, you may need to be flexible with working hours as an archivist. Sometimes, there is a need to work evenings and weekends, especially for archival institutions that offer a wide range of services to the community. During weekend and evening shifts, large amounts of archival material are digitized and quality assured. You may also be on call to handle requests for release and inquiries to the archive.
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future prospects
The demand for trained archivists is expected to increase in the coming years. More and more private and public organizations are facing major challenges related to information security and digitalization, as well as legal requirements for document management. The need to preserve both digital and physical documents makes the archivist’s role crucial. In the public sector, where authorities, municipalities, and regions operate, qualified archivists are needed to ensure that documents are managed according to GDPR and the Archives Act. Many retirements are also currently taking place within the profession.
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benefits of finding a job as an archivist through randstad
There are many advantages to finding a vacant archivist job through Randstad:
- access to skills development and training
- an experienced contact person who provides you with support when needed
- many job vacancies in your area
- full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Are you looking for a permanent position as an archivist? When you work as a consultant and archivist, it can serve as a stepping stone to a permanent job with attractive employers. Every year, many people move from working as consultants to a permanent job at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.
education and qualifications as an archivist.
To work as an archivist, a university education in archival and information science, or library and information science, is required. To be able to work in a qualified role, you may need a master's or magister degree. In some roles, a social science education combined with archival work is sufficient. It is also an advantage to have a good ability to create structure and accuracy, as well as knowledge of laws regarding information management, such as the Archives Act and the principle of public access to information.
skills and qualities.
Below are some examples of skills and qualities that can be useful to have in the job as archivist:
- Digital competence: You work daily with registering and preserving information in digital systems and databases. This requires good computer skills and experience with metadata management as well as digital archive systems.
- Communication skills: You need to be able to communicate clearly in speech and writing. The tasks may involve guiding colleagues in information management, writing guidelines and practices within documentation.
- Analytical skills and accuracy: The profession of archivist requires precision in handling records and documents. Information to be preserved undergoes analysis and should be stored according to organizational and legal requirements.
- Organizational skills: You need to be able to structure and plan your work, especially when dealing with large amounts of information. Many archivists have independent assignments and are expected to be able to drive archive development in their organization.
frequently asked questions about working as an archivist.
Here are the most common questions about working as an archivist.
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what education is required to become an archivist?
To get a job as an archivist, a university education is usually required. This is typically in information science, archival science, or history. Many employers require that you have taken specific courses in archive and information management.
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what does an archivist earn in sweden?
An archivist's average salary is about 37,600 kronor per month. The lowest reported salaries are around 33,000 kronor. As an archive manager or head of archives, you can earn over 45,000 kronor per month.
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how do I apply for a job as an archivist?
It's easy to apply for a job as an archivist. Search among our available jobs in your area. If you find a position you're interested in, click "apply" and send your application documents to us, or apply via LinkedIn. The selection process may include a meeting followed by tests. If you need help with your job application, you can read all our job tips here!
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what does an archivist do?
An archivist organizes and preserves documents in both digital and physical formats. The tasks include digitizing old records, supporting organizations in their document management, and creating information management plans. The principle of public access and the archives act must be followed. An important part of the archivist's work is to ensure that the public can access information and that government document management is conducted transparently and securely.
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