Aktenverwalter

Aktenverwalter is a German term for a person responsible for the management of physical and/or digital files within an organization. The role focuses on organizing, preserving, and providing access to records and documents in a way that supports operations, compliance, and accountability.

Typical duties include establishing and maintaining filing systems, classifying documents with consistent metadata, creating and updating file inventories, processing incoming and outgoing records, and overseeing storage, retrieval, and disposal according to retention schedules. The Aktenverwalter also ensures confidentiality and implements access controls, audits, and data protection requirements.

In practice, the position appears in various settings such as public administration, courts, archives, libraries, and private companies. In active file management, the Aktenverwalter handles current case files and digital workspaces; in archival contexts, they may oversee the transfer of records to long-term archives and the digitization of documents.

Required skills include systematic thinking, attention to detail, knowledge of classification schemes, experience with document management systems, and familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements for records retention and privacy.

Etymology: from Akt (file/case) and Verwalter (administrator). See also: archivist, records management, file clerk.