Based in San Francisco, Letterform Archive is a nonprofit center for inspiration, education, publishing, and community. As a library and museum we offer radical access to a collection of over 100,000 items related to calligraphy, lettering, typography, and graphic design.

Digitization Archivist

Reporting to the Librarian, the Digitization Archivist will be responsible for implementing digitization services and managing resources that support the current and future needs of our team and community. The Digitization Archivist will support the Librarian in key areas of digitization project management, data preservation, workflow strategy, and design and launch of the Catalog Records Manager. Responsibilities include internal image request, and external rights and reproductions  requests, maintaining local server and cloud-based backup repositories, and uploads to our Online Archive.

The Digitization Archivist will keep informed of current developments within the field and participate in professional associations locally, nationally and internationally.

This role will lead the digitization studio at Letterform Archive, have one internal report (Digitization Associate), and manage relationships with outside vendors. This is a full-time, onsite position based in San Francisco, with some hybrid flexibility as agreed on with your manager.

About Letterform Archive

Letterform Archive is a nonprofit center for design inspiration, education, and community. We offer hands-on access to a curated collection of more than 100,000 items related to lettering, typography, calligraphy, and graphic design. Every year, we welcome thousands of visitors from across the world, including students, practitioners, and design admirers from every creative background. Learn more.

In addition to hosting visits and public events, the Archive serves a global community through social media, web content featuring state-of-the-art photography, and a book program that draws from the collection as well as publishes new work from its contributors. We offer courses and workshops in type design, calligraphy, and typography. We also curate exhibitions for our gallery in San Francisco and organize lectures by visiting artists and designers.

Primary Responsibilities

Digitization                       EST. TIME ALLOCATION: 30%

Support photography needs of the organization with work primarily divided between systematic digitization of the collection and production photography for the publishing program. Tasks include capture, image post-processing, occasional retouching, file preparation and management, and quality control of completed work. Manage projects, optimize workflows for efficiency and ensure photography adheres to federal digital preservation standards and best practices. Record and maintain capture counts. Lead digital asset management and preservation initiatives. Troubleshoot digitization components and coordinate with external vendors. 

Rights and Reproductions   EST. TIME ALLOCATION: 30%

Communicate with external requestors regarding image file needs, including fielding and clarifying requests, flagging rights issues, providing introductory copyright resources, and connecting rights holders to requestors when appropriate. Prepare and finalize image use agreements and invoices for each request. Manage agreement language, fee schedule, and  image rights and reproductions request page on the Archive’s website. Flag issues related to unauthorized use of Archive images and work with Executive Director, Librarian and legal counsel to resolve. 

Discovery and Access   EST. TIME ALLOCATION: 15%

Manage image requests from community members to include invoicing, use agreements, and file delivery. Work closely with the Online Archive team on development, integration, and use of the Catalog Records Manager as well as continued upload and description of objects to the Online Archive. Welcome tour groups and new Archive employees into the studio for introductory tours and informational talks.

Supervision               EST. TIME ALLOCATION: 15%

Supervise one staff member. 

Digitization Specialist works primarily on the collection and production of photography for systematic digitization and other internal image requests.

Research and Professional Development     EST. TIME ALLOCATION: 10%

Conduct research, pursue ongoing education, and actively participate in professional communities focused on the following areas: intellectual property and imaging workflows.

Ideal Qualifications and Characteristics

• 5+ years of professional photography experience in digitization or commercial studios.  
• 1+ years experience managing a digitization workflow from start to finish. 
• 1+ years experience in personnel management. 
• Strong technical skills with digital imaging hardware and software, including expertise in tethered capture workflows.   
• In-depth knowledge of studio lighting equipment and techniques. 
• Excellent visual acuity for assessing color accuracy, exposure, and focus. 
• Experience operating and troubleshooting PhaseOne camera tethered to Capture One imaging software, troubleshooting technical issues and innovating workflows.
• Highly organized with the flexibility to prioritize multiple incoming requests alongside ongoing projects efficiently.  
• Demonstrated effectiveness working both collaboratively on a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience working with cultural heritage materials, understanding handling needs and preservation requirements.  
• Actively participates in professional associations to remain up-to-date with best practices, community standards, and changing technologies.

Physical Demands

This role will regularly be required to perform photography and desk-based computer tasks, including using a computer screen or standing for long periods of time, typing, or making phone calls.

They may also frequently be required to move items weighing up to 25 pounds or push and maneuver a fully loaded book truck weighing up to 60 pounds.

The Archive will provide reasonable accommodations to an employee with a disability who requires accommodations to perform the essential functions of their job.

You Are Welcome Here

Fair Chance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Letterform Archive is an equal opportunity workplace, community, and place of learning. The Archive does not discriminate in employment or in offering educational services and programs. Learn more. 

Position Type and Work Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position working 40 hours per week during the Archive’s normal office hours, with occasional opportunities to work or attend weekend and evening events.

It is onsite at Letterform Archive’s offices in San Francisco 3-5 days per week; work-from-home days are as agreed with your supervisor. You must be authorized to work in the United States. The Archive does not sponsor visas at this time.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay rate for this role is $78,000 - $88,000 per year depending on candidate experience and qualifications. 

Letterform Archive offers the following benefits to all full-time employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with subsidized dependent coverage
• Three weeks of Paid Time Off each year with accrual up to four weeks per year based on tenure
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Sick leave
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Pre-tax commuter benefit
• Annual professional development budget
• Complimentary Archive membership, and waived tuition to Archive workshops

You’ll be surrounded by — and able to interact with — beautiful, meaningful materials from the Archive’s collection, as well as a diverse and dynamic community of those who love letters and design. Your colleagues will be people who are passionate about the organization and eager to share their enthusiasm through their work.

How to Apply

Please apply by submitting a résumé and a cover letter explaining your interest in this position at letterformarchive.org/careers by Sunday, June 7, 2026. You may address your cover letter to the hiring team and it should be no more than one page. The most effective cover letters explain your interest in the Archive and this position, and make clear how your qualifications match this role’s responsibilities.

Letterform Archive is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance applying or have questions about accommodation during the hiring process, please email [email protected]. 

All applications must be submitted through the applicant portal in order to be considered. You will not receive an automated confirmation email once you apply but if you followed the portal instructions, the Archive will have received your application and materials.