Digital Access and Preservation Archivist

Description

SUMMARY OF PURPOSE
The Digital Archivist ensures the effective appraisal, acquisition, arrangement, description, and preservation of born-digital and hybrid collections, facilitates the digitization of Archives and Library materials, and enables access to digital holdings and description.  Reporting to the Manager of Archives & Library, the FHRC Digital Access & Preservation Archivist supports staff throughout Historical Resources in their work to collect, manage, preserve, describe, and make available digital materials within the collections of The Henry Ford.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Responsible for technical appraisal, capture/transfer, accessioning, storage/preservation, and access to/of primary source digital materials, both born-digital and digital content created in-house.  Provides leadership for archival material digitization processes as part of the Collections Access Network to Digital Objects (CAN-DO) team.  Operates and maintains rapid capture digitization workstation and workflow, including identification, description, capture, image processing, file management, record creation, data import, and material handling.  Develops and publishes workflow and standards for image capture, file management, and data import.  Trains and supervises workstation operators.  Works closely with Archives & Library (A&L), Historical Resources (HRes), and Information Technology Services (ITS) staff and leadership to research, test, and implement technology, standards, workflows, and procedures to meet ongoing stewardship needs for digital materials.  In conjunction with the Chief Archivist and other A&L staff, processes born-digital, hybrid, and in-house created digital collections.  Serves as a resource to staff throughout Historical Resources regarding digital materials.

Serves as member of EMu Admin Team, which oversees the implementation and technical administration of the EMu content management system.  Serves as technical expert for implementation of archival description features within EMu, working closely with the software vendor to develop, test, and sign-off on specific features. Develops workflow and technical documentation for archival collection cataloging within EMu.  Provides leadership in creating archival collection records in EMu that are compliant with DACS, EAD, and local descriptive and technical standards.

Supports legacy description access systems while collection records are migrated to EMu. Reviews and publishes finding aid documents to existing internal and external data stores, including XTF and DALNET.  Works with A&L, HRes and ITS staff and leadership to research, test, and implement technology improvements to online access of archival description.  Uploads image files to, and maintains, the Flickr site of The Henry Ford.

Assists as needed with user education and outreach activities including orientations for students, visitors, and other patrons.  Lends expertise to Reference and Research services upon request. Plans, directs, and reviews the work of volunteer staff and student interns.  Supports A&L operations and participates in other related work as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Graduate degree in archival studies or ALA-accredited MLS or Master's degree in history (or other relevant subject) with formal coursework or training in archival management and theory. Two years’ experience working in an archival or library setting with significant collections digitization responsibility.  Experience with current archival theory and protocols for description, arrangement, digitization, processing, handling, and care of archival materials in various formats such as photographs, video, film, and electronic records.

Understanding of digitization technologies, standards, and best practices for both still image and time-based media.  Experience with arrangement and description of physical, hybrid, and born-digital archival collections.  Knowledge of metadata schemas and standards relevant to archival control and description, including DACS, EAD, MARC, MODS, and Dublin Core.  Experience with XML and related languages including XSLT, HTML, and CSS.  Familiarity with tools used for MARC cataloging and EAD delivery and display.  Familiarity with EMu, Archivists’ Toolkit, or other archival management systems.  Knowledge of current trends, tools, and protocols in digital archiving and preservation including digital forensics and application to online primary sources

Familiarity with the legal and ethical issues impacting digital archival and special collections objects.  Must be able to work with sensitive material and maintain confidentiality.  Experience providing reference service in a research, academic, or corporate library or archives.  Must write clearly, concisely, and accurately.

SPECIAL SKILLS
Knowledge of the EMU content management system as reflected in the EMu Skills Matrix for the Archives & Library.  All staff members are expected to achieve a level of competency so that they may work independently on the essential skills, and are required to achieve a high level of competency on specific skills required by their position.  Experience with installation and maintenance of CDL XTF software.  Familiarity with standards and schemas for museum description (CCO, CDWA, CDWA Lite).