The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) invites applications for the following temporary, part-time, hourly position located in the University Libraries.
Role of the position
Work with University Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives staff in the Digital Collections department on a Library Advisory Board grant-funded Wikidata project. Learn in a hands-on environment about archival research, Wikidata editing, and Wikidata tools while contributing to a large-scale effort to improve representation of underrepresented materials from UNLV Special Collections & Archives on the semantic web. This is a prime opportunity for a candidate interested in exploring the practical applications of linked data principles using Wikidata to gain valuable hands-on experience. By the end of the grant the incumbent will have learned new skills and have made active contributions by performing the following activities:
- Assist the PI in the design, development, and implementation of Wikidata projects.
- Help develop and update project workflows and documentation wiki.
- Create, edit, and reconcile Wikidata records related to UNLV Special Collections and Archives materials.
- Identify potential Wikidata properties and help draft property proposals for submission.
- Prepare research reports, summaries, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Help disseminate research findings through blogs, presentations, or public engagement activities.
- Experiment and explore using Quick Statements or Open Refine to batch create Wikidata entities, labels, and properties.
- Create new or reuse Cradle forms to use in the Cradle tool.
This is a temporary, part-time, hourly position. The anticipated schedule is 19 hours per week for 19 weeks.
Qualifications
- Experience creating and editing Wikidata or Wikipedia records, Microsoft productivity applications, and databases required.
- Desired applicants will have the ability to adapt quickly to new standards and technologies and have a willingness to explore and implement new technologies, and practices to enhance services and efficiencies.
- Must demonstrate commitment to high-quality, even while working in a self-directed, collaborative environment with diverse constituencies.
- Detail-oriented.
- Self-motivated learner.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred qualifications
- Preference will be given to early career information professionals or applicants enrolled in library/information sciences graduate programs who have completed a minimum one semester of coursework; preference will be given to applicants with coursework in cataloging, metadata or digital libraries.
- Graduate or undergraduate work in computer science, history, language arts, information studies, or related fields is preferred.
- Knowledge of linked data principles, RDF, SPARQL and historical research is helpful.
PROFILE of the UNLV University Libraries
As a strong partner in research and student learning, UNLV Libraries fosters critical thinking and lifelong learning at one of the nation's fastest growing universities. University Libraries comprises Lied Library and four branch libraries and we are a gateway to more than 80,000 electronic journals, 1.2 million volumes, and 1.4 million e-books. We welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds to join our growing organization of over 120 experienced faculty librarians, professionals, and staff members.
The primary mission of the Special Collections and Archives Division is to collect, preserve, provide discovery and access to, and promote, interpret, and instruct in the use of our materials. Special Collections and Archives documents the history, culture, and physical environment of the city of Las Vegas, the Southern Nevada region, the global gaming industry, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Our collections include manuscripts, books, photographs, periodicals, maps, architectural drawings, oral history interviews, media, the University archives, born-digital records, and other cultural artifacts. Significant collecting areas are: gaming and gambling (including an internationally recognized rare book collection of gaming history); regional community groups and organizations; the Nevada Women’s Archive; Las Vegas entertainment and the arts; Las Vegas and urban resort architecture; mining and railroads; the American West; the Hoover Dam; and the culinary arts (including an international menu collection).
The division is comprised of three departments: Special Collections Technical Services, Special Collections Public Services, and Digital Collections. It also includes the Libraries’ preservation unit and conservation lab, and two specialized academic research centers: the Center for Gaming Research and the Oral History Research Center.
UNLV University Libraries commitment to diversity
The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as leading a respectful, positive work environment. The University Libraries values begin with our belief that everyone deserves a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment where they are treated with respect and dignity. The Libraries extends its commitment to diversity and equity in employment and especially welcomes applications from women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and others who contribute to diversification.
UNLV commitment to diversity and campus values
The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit.
Salary and position details
This is a temporary, part-time, hourly funded position for 19 hours per week at $20 per hour, for a total of 19 weeks. Hours will be scheduled between 9am and 5pm P.S.T, Monday-Friday. The successful candidate is expected to work a total of 361 hours between December 1, 2026 and April 15, 2027.
This position is not eligible for time off benefits and is not eligible for health benefits. Position is required to participate in the FICA Alternative Retirement Contributions.
How to apply
Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two professional references to Darnelle Melvin, Special Collections and Archives Metadata Librarian, University Libraries, [email protected]. Resumes will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. P.S.T. on Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Profile of the university
Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region's diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.
Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report's annual listing of the nation's most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.
For more information, visit the UNLV website.
EEO/AA statement
The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible.
Title IX statement
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: 702-895-4055; Email: [email protected], or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [email protected]; or to both.
Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.
Safety and security statement
UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.
Job category
Temporary, part-time, hourly