Digital Imaging Archivist

Description

As part of The Henry Ford’s institutional digital content engine, the Digital Imaging Archivist facilitates the digitization, description, preservation, and access of Archives and Library materials.  Reporting to the Manager of the Archives & Library and a strong functional reporting relationship to the Digital Collections & Content Manager, the Digital Imaging Archivist supports staff throughout Historical Resources in their work to collect, manage, and make available digital materials within the collections of The Henry Ford.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Operates and maintains rapid capture digitization workstation and workflow, including identification, description, capture, image processing, file management, record creation, data import, and material handling.
• In conjunction with imaging activities, processes born-digital, hybrid, and in-house created digital collections. This may include inventory, technical appraisal, capture transfer, accessioning, description and storage, preservation of and enabling access to, these digital materials.
• Works with Digital Collections & Content Manager, Historical Resources staff, and others to regularly clarify priorities and schedule projects on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.  Tracks status of Events in EMu to ensure completion of all imaging requests by deadlines.
• Documents progress on activities using EMu, e-mail, and other systems.  Provides timely reports on status of projects to stakeholders.  Reports on status of work at daily, weekly, and monthly meetings.
• Keeps abreast of the latest scholarship on archives, imaging, and digitization, as well as developments in the fields of content strategy, content marketing, and social media.
• Cultivates broad understanding of The Henry Ford’s collections and helps refine broad strategic goals (sometimes from multiple sources) and general ideas into specific content creation plans.
• Plans, directs, and reviews the work of volunteer staff and student interns.

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 KE Software 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.   Ability to work on and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Knowledge of the KE Software 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.  Familiarity with standards and schemas for museum description (CCO, CDWA, CDWA Lite).