Systems Administrator, Digital Archive & Library

Description

Summary

The Digital Archive & Library Systems Administrator is responsible for the optimal technology design, configuration, and management of all digital archives, integrated library systems, collections and asset management systems owned or operated by National Geographic Society. The position will work closely with the NGS Library & Archives, media content producers, and Information Technology teams to ensure that data, applications, and day-to-day support/administration is delivered with a high level of expertise, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

The position will serve as subject matter expert in digital archive, integrated library systems, and collections management software, standards, and operating procedures, and will provide both day-to-day and project-related technology support in these areas as needed. This includes digital preservation, core library and collections systems, metadata and taxonomy management, ingest/submission, workflow design/build, systems administration and engineering, testing and troubleshooting as well as product/industry monitoring and new release tracking. The position will additionally participate in supporting enterprise digital asset management systems in a secondary or backup administrator capacity, ensuring the appropriate level of integration with digital archive systems is established to meet the needs of media content producers, general staff, and business partners. The position is responsible for establishing quality assurance standards and managing quality control for digital files and metadata across all systems, including appropriate levels of documentation, training, and reporting to ensure that assets are managed in alignment with best practices and organizational priorities.

Located within the Information Technology department, the position ensures that all systems are aligned and consistent with corporate security policies, enterprise IT strategies and plans. Participates in operational support procedures with colleagues and managed service providers, taking ownership of incident tickets and service requests, and leading activities such as routine maintenance, pro-active testing, and security audits.

Responsibilities

Digital Archive & Library Systems (60%)

• Works with Library & Archive staff to ensure that digital archives and library management systems are designed, operated, and managed throughout their lifecycles to reflect industry best practices and drive organizational priorities.

• Performs technical administration duties required to maintain the systems, including application configuration, system administration, patches/upgrades, etc.  

• Performs application and infrastructure engineering tasks required to optimize and enhance the systems, including workflow design, scripting, database queries, automation/orchestration, etc.

• Leads migration of content from legacy systems into new collection management ecosystem, and works with metadata specialists to export and map data into new system configuration.

• Optimizes collections for discovery via Primo, in coordination with library and archives staff.

• Works with IT infrastructure and operations teams to ensure that the systems are configured and managed with appropriate levels of processing/storage/network capacity, data protection / disaster recovery, and security compliance.  Works with service desk and technical support teams to ensure proper response/resolution/fulfillment of incidents, service requests, and change management procedures.

• Works with library and archives team to identify and track statistics/metrics for library, archives, and media systems, including collection and resource use, retention schedules, and preservation assessment.

Digital Asset Management Systems (20%)

• Works with media content producers to ensure that digital asset management systems are designed, operated, and managed throughout their lifecycles to reflect industry best practices and drive organizational priorities.

• Performs technical administration duties required to maintain the systems, including application configuration, system administration, patches/upgrades, etc.  

• Performs application and infrastructure engineering tasks required to optimize and enhance the systems, including workflow design, scripting, database queries, automation/orchestration, etc.

• Works with IT infrastructure and operations teams to ensure that the systems are configured and managed with appropriate levels of processing/storage/network capacity, data protection, and security compliance.  Works with service desk and technical support teams to ensure proper response/resolution/fulfillment of incidents, service requests, and change management procedures.

Enterprise Management and IT (20%)

• Establishes, monitors, and enforces metadata and quality control standards and procedures for all data/assets stored within the systems, and ensures alignment with IT operating procedures/frameworks as well as the information security policy.

• Leads and supports all data/systems integrations with other enterprise technology platforms and processes, including identity management, CRM, and data protection.

• Leads or participates in appropriate customer-facing steering committees and internal technology working groups as needed.

• Monitors benchmarks, trends, and product developments to anticipate change, minimize risk, and identify opportunities for growth.

Minimum Education Required

 Master’s degree in Library/Information Science, Computer Science or related discipline, or equivalent experience.  Ex Libris Alma Certification (or willingness to become certified) is required.  ITIL v3 certification a plus.  

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

At least seven years working with digital archive/preservation technologies and/or integrated library systems, preferably in a special collections or university environment.  Experience working with enterprise digital asset management systems and support operations a plus.

Knowledge and Skills Required

Expertise in managing Ex Libris product environments including Rosetta DAM, Alma ILS, Primo discovery platform, as well as Axiell AdLib or other collections management software.  Deep knowledge of archival community and metadata content, structure, and preservation standards including MARC, Dublin Core, OAI-PMH, EAD, DACS, METS, MODS, PREMIS, RDA, etc. as well as taxonomy integration and data mapping.  Working knowledge of digital asset management systems, including ingest and distribution, workflow design, rights management and access control.  Experience with scripting/automation/orchestration and integration with other enterprise platforms in SaaS/PaaS/IaaS environments using APIs, web services, XML, JSON, etc.  Experience supporting additional library systems including OCLC, EZ Proxy, Worldcat/Worldshare ILL, SpringShare LibGuides website, subject guides and database A-Z, Proquest Syndetics Unbound and 360 Core.

Broad knowledge of server, database, and storage infrastructures both on-premise and in the cloud, and ability to perform hands-on database and server administration/engineering.  Familiarity with information security and IT service management concepts and processes.

Ability to function in a dynamic environment subject to changes in schedules and priorities. Ability to participate in multiple projects concurrently from inception to completion with limited management supervision. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to interact positively and productively with teams across organizational lines. Strong customer service, troubleshooting and problem solving a must.

Supervision

None