Digital Preservation Analyst

Description

Permanent, Full Time
Wellington, New Zealand

Key opportunity to mix technical capability with policy and research
Leading-edge all-of-government programme

Archives New Zealand has a statutory responsibility for the long term storage, preservation and accessibility of digital records.  The Government Digital Archive Programme will transform the way Archives conducts its business, allowing large-scale transfers of digital records and preserving them over the long-term.

You will be tasked with providing business-focused digital preservation strategies for material held within the digital archive and specialist advice in relation to formats and metadata.  You will work with others to research and resolve complex technical issues related to the digital archive, such as format variations, validation and enrichment processes, and preservation risks.  You'll also be involved in the development of Digital Preservation policy, both within Archives and with our collaborative partners, and can expect to be working on a variety of research projects related to the Digital Archive and preservation.

You will work closely with a team which includes analysts, archivists and ingest technicians, and with business staff managing transfers, restrictions and access.

This is a busy role in an active programme of work. You'll need excellent communication skills, be an adaptable team player, have previous experience in digital preservation, and a related degree.

In return, you'll get to work on an exciting, All-of-Government digital preservation project, that will change the way New Zealanders interact with Government records.

Experience:

• Deep working knowledge of the technical requirements, including tools and processes, of preservation and access issues is essential (particularly related to digital collections in libraries, museums, archives or special collections)
• Demonstrated knowledge of a range of digital preservation strategies including migration and emulation
• Substantial experience with file format specifications, codecs etc
• Experience with XML and the following metadata and interoperability standards: PREMIS, Dublin Core, METS/MODS, OpenURL, OAI-PMH, EAD, etc.
• Demonstrated experience with creation and/or management of digital objects in one or more of the following formats: text, image, sound, software, multimedia, and/or video.
• Demonstrated ability to research and resolve problems using a variety of digital preservation resources and tools, particularly in relation to technical issues
• Experience in identifying and validating formats (using for example DROID, JHOVE, NLNZ Metadata Extract Tool)
• Experience in developing policy in an archive or library, or in an environment with similar challenges
• Experience in applying research methodology including quantitative, qualitative and mixedmethods research

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of format registries (eg PRONOM)
• Understanding of the OAIS reference model and its application
• An advanced level of technical knowledge of computer hardware, software and computer maintenance and an interest in legacy hardware and software

Skills

• Proven ability to meet deadlines and accomplish goals
• Excellent electronic, written and oral communication skills
• Ability to design, execute and put to use the results of practical research projects

Education:

• Degree in computing or a related information management discipline (a Doctorate or post graduate degree is preferred)
• Academic qualifications in another discipline, with demonstrable experience and knowledge of the digital preservation environment, will also be considered

Other:

• Knowledge of professional collection management or archival practice and theory is highly desirable
• Experience in project planning and project management would be an advantage.

Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 7 September 2012