Digital Archivist

Description

Digital Collections and Archives (DCA) supports the teaching and research mission of Tufts University by ensuring the enduring preservation and accessibility of the university’s permanently valuable records and collections. DCA assists departments, faculty, and staff in managing records and other assets. DCA collaborates with members of the Tufts community and others to develop tools to discover and access collections to support teaching, research, and administrative needs in addition to providing reference and instruction services.

The Digital Archivist is dedicated to the preservation and access of digital and hybrid collections held within Digital Collections and Archives at Tufts University. The Digital Archivist's primary focus will be to participate in the continued development and evolution of a digital preservation program within DCA. This work will include developing, implementing, and executing processes enabling effective acquisition, appraisal, description, preservation, access to and security of born-digital and hybrid archival collections acquired by DCA. In particular, the Digital Archivist will lead exploration, evaluation, and implementation of methods, tools, and systems related to the preservation of born-digital content including digital forensics methods, open-source digital preservation systems, and hardware used to transfer data from physical media. The Digital Archivist will also develop strategies and resources to preserve and provide access to new and/or complex data types.

Investigate, develop, and implement policies and procedures for digital preservation:
• Develop, implement, and execute processes enabling effective acquisition, appraisal, description, preservation, access to and security of born-digital and hybrid archival collections acquired by DCA.
• Lead exploration, evaluation, and implementation of methods, tools, and systems related to the preservation of born-digital content including digital forensics methods, open-source digital preservation systems, and hardware used to transfer data from physical media.
• Contribute to work relating to development and evaluation of infrastructure for digital preservation, digitization, and related technical issues
• Aid in the development of additional DCA initiatives related to the care of born-digital material including migration policies, distributed digital preservation processes, and emulation strategies.
• Create documentation and provide training on digital curation and preservation techniques.
• Develop strategies and resources to preserve and provide access to new and/or complex data types.

Process born digital records:
• Perform digital curation and preservation tasks such as digital media inventorying, disk imaging, and digital forensics.
• Identify and inventory physical digital media throughout DCA collections and accessions.
• Arrange and describe born digital and hybrid archival collections.
• Supervise the work of student assistants.
Lead new technology projects within DCA:
• Lead new technology projects in the department, including technical implementation and workflow design, and work to develop processes to automate DCA tasks.
• Analyze workflow and improve procedures, including developing scripts or batch processes as needed.
• Migrate data from legacy databases as needed to improve data collection and overall efficiency of operations.

Participate in planning and policy development:
• Participate in general planning and policy development in the support of DCA strategic directions.
• Participate in Tufts committees related to primary job assignment.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
• Experience in an archives or special collections department in a research library or similar setting.
• MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution, with a concentration in Archives, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should be comfortable with word processing, spreadsheet and database software. Ideal candidates will have advanced technical skills including knowledge of technologies and standards related to digital preservation including digital forensics and experience with XSLT, XQuery and/or scripting languages (e.g. Ruby, Python).
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice, including experience processing archival records.
• Comprehensive knowledge of digital preservation theory and practice.
• Knowledge of strategies, such as digital forensics, and technology developed or adopted by the archival community for managing born-digital archival and manuscript material.
• Knowledge of relevant standards for archival description including DACS, EAD, and EAC-CPF, and familiarity with other metadata standards such as METS and PREMIS.
• Experience with XSLT, XQuery and/or scripting languages (e.g. Ruby, Python) or aptitude and willingness to develop these skills.
• Excellent supervisory and organizational skills and ability to plan, coordinate, and implement complex projects.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a variety of staff in a rapidly changing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Two years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience implementing policies, standards, and procedures for stewardship of digital material in an archival or special collections setting.
• Experience with tools and systems for digital preservation (e.g. Archivematica, Bitcurator).
• Experience with FTK, floppy drive controllers (e.g. Catweasel, Kryoflux), writeblockers, Sleuth Kit, fiwalk, and emulators.
• Experience working in an active university records program.

Special Work Schedule Requirements:
• Occasional exposure to dirt and dust.
• Occasional weekend and evening work required.

Tufts University is an AA/EO employer and actively seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds. Please see the Tufts University non-discrimination statement.

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Medford/Somerville
Job: Library
Organization: Digital Collections & Archives
Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-time
Job Posting: Dec 22, 2014, 11:19:51 AM