Digital Archivist

Description

Date Available:  February 1, 2015
Monthly Salary:  $4166-$5000

One of the world’s finest cultural archives, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin is an independent academic special collections library and museum with 37 million literary manuscripts, one million rare books, five million photographs, and 100,000 works of art.

The Ransom Center seeks a Digital Archivist to lead the stewardship of born-digital archival materials as well as collaborate with staff to develop access methods for born-digital materials at the Center.  The archivist will also process hybrid manuscript collections and create finding aids using EAD and DACS.  Occasional weekend hours.

Essential Functions:
Leads the Ransom Center’s ongoing development and implementation of policies and procedures that facilitate the acquisition, transfer, preservation, arrangement, description, and access to born-digital materials in accordance with emerging standards and best practices; consults with and advises creators of born-digital content when necessary.

Develops and documents born-digital workflows in order to support the preservation, access and security of born-digital materials; recommends and utilizes born-digital processing tools and advises on preservation strategies and storage needs for digital materials.

Coordinates workflows for the management and archiving of institutionally created email and media (i.e., web pages, images, moving image, and audio).

Collaborates with Digital Collections Librarian, public services staff, and others to realize and implement discovery and access initiatives for born-digital materials.

Collaborates with cataloging staff to process hybrid manuscript collections and create finding aids using EAD and DACS.

Participates in the conception and development of grant applications in support of born-digital initiatives.

Stays abreast of issues and tools related to the stewardship of born-digital materials; represents the Ransom Center in UT-wide and national, regional, and local committees and forums on matters relevant to born-digital collections management.

Required Qualifications: 
Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA accredited university; two or more years of demonstrated professional experience preserving, processing, describing, and delivering born-digital and hybrid archival materials in an academic or research library setting; demonstrated experience creating finding aids using EAD and DACS.  Must have current authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications: 
Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practices; demonstrated knowledge of technologies and systems developed or adopted by the archival community for the management of and access to born-digital materials; demonstrated experience and skill using technologies and strategies related to digital forensics and digital preservation; demonstrated knowledge of metadata and other standards relevant to the control of digital materials such as OAIS, EAD, DACS, Dublin Core, MODS, and PREMIS.; demonstrated ability to work creatively, independently, and collaboratively; experience supervising students and paraprofessional staff; demonstrated experience writing funding proposals; strong written and oral communication skills.

Benefits:
Standard state benefits package including annual vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, and health insurance options.  Eligible for Optional Retirement Program (TIAA-CREF and other options).  Deferred compensation and tax sheltered annuity programs also available. 

Application procedure: 
Go to https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/150109010080.  Applicants must complete the online job application and must also submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and contact information for three references.  Review of applications begins on February 6, 2015.  Security sensitive; conviction verification conducted on applicant selected. 

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The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status, or sexual orientation.