Archivists assess, collect, organise, preserve and provide access to records and archives. Records maintained are in any format, analogue or digital and include several kinds of media (documents, photographs, video and sound recordings, etc.).
Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
aid archive users with their enquiries
respect data protection principles
store archival documents
manage archive users guidelines
write scientific publications
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (13)
conservation techniquesconservation techniquesThe procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.collection managementcollection managementThe process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal depos...digitizationdigitizationThe process of transforming an object from its analogical form to a digital format. It creates a digital representation of the object without making in-kind changes to it.aid archive users with their enquiriesaid archive users with their enquiriesProvide reference services and overall assistance for researchers and visitors in their search for archival materials.respect data protection principlesrespect data protection principlesEnsure that access to personal or institutional data conforms to the legal and ethical framework governing such access.contextualise records collectioncontextualise records collectionComment, describe, and provide context for the records in a collection.store archival documentsstore archival documentsStore and preserve archival documents. Copy archive records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as required.manage archive users guidelinesmanage archive users guidelinesEstablish policy guidelines on public access to a (digital) archive and the cautious use of present materials. Communicate the guidelines to archive visitors.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.create semantic treescreate semantic treesCreate coherent lists and hierarchies of concepts and terms to ensure consistent indexing in knowledge organisation systems.study a collectionstudy a collectionResearch and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.facilitate access to informationfacilitate access to informationPrepare documents for archiving; ensure that the information can easily be accessed at all times.appraise historical documentsappraise historical documentsAuthenticate and evaluate historical documents and archive materials.
Optional (12) — show
digital curationdigital curationThe field that deals with maintaining, preserving and adding value to digital research.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.manage human resourcesmanage human resourcesConduct employee recruitment, helping employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and competencies as well as providing feedback and performance appraisals. It includes m...digitise documentsdigitise documentsLoad analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.use software for data preservationuse software for data preservationUtilise specialised applications and software to collect and preserve digital information.use databasesuse databasesUse software tools for managing and organising data in a structured environment which consists of attributes, tables and relationships in order to query and modify the stored data.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.develop classification systemsdevelop classification systemsOrganise archive or business records; develop classification systems to facilitate access to all information.manage information access aidsmanage information access aidsDevelop and maintain information access aids such as databases, digital bibliographies, web pages, software programs and online tutorials.perform customer managementperform customer managementIdentify and understand the customer's needs. Communicate and engage with stakeholders in designing, promoting and evaluating services.coordinate educational programmescoordinate educational programmesPlan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.manage digital documentsmanage digital documentsManage various data formats and files by naming, publishing, transforming and sharing files and documents and transforming file formats.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Archivists assess, collect, organise, preserve and provide access to records and archives. Records maintained are in any format, analogue or digital and include several kinds of media (documents, photographs, video and sound recordings, etc.).
What skills does an archivist need?
An archivist needs 13 essential skills, including conservation techniques, collection management, digitization, aid archive users with their enquiries, respect data protection principles.
Will AI replace archivist jobs?
The AI disruption score for archivist is 59/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: digitise documents, facilitate access to information, manage digital documents. Most resilient: conservation techniques, appraise historical documents, manage human resources.
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.