Digital Archivist

Description

East Carolina University’s (ECU) Academic Library Services (ALS) seeks a Digital Archivist to manage a program for preserving, processing, and providing access to born-digital materials such as email accounts, text-based documents, natively digital images, electronic records, and websites. Reporting to the Head of Manuscripts & Digital Curation, the Digital Archivist is responsible for the services that ensure the long-term preservation and availability of born-digital assets under the library’s stewardship.

The preferred candidate will be an experienced archivist, with the ability to think creatively, take initiative, and work both independently and as part of a team. The Digital Archivist will keep abreast of digital preservation trends and developments and share that knowledge with the library as well as the wider campus community. Activities may take the form of training library employees and other stakeholders on best practices, use of tools, systems, standards, and processes related to digital preservation; providing consultation services on preservation standards; and actively collaborating in digital preservation initiatives at the local, national, and international level. The Digital Archivist is an active member of the Special Collections Division and may perform public service or other duties as assigned.

Job Duties

• Manage ECU Libraries’ born-digital archives program, including using command-line interfaces and forensic technologies to assess, evaluate, and process electronic records.
• Evaluate current practices and work collaboratively with stakeholders on systems analysis and development, digital data storage methods enhancement, and other framework improvements as needed.
• Regularly review and update policies, workflows, and procedures for accessioning, arranging, describing, preserving, and providing access to born-digital materials.
• Assess, select, and test additional computational analysis and/or digital processing software and standards for potential use and integration with ECU Libraries’ existing platforms. Coordinate with technical staff on the establishment of related systems support.
• Assist with identifying relationships between digital and physical content in hybrid collections and determining disposition and storage for removable media post-capture.
• Review, identify, and potentially redact digital files through evaluation for private and personal information which may fall under federal law or university policy.
• Train and assist staff with procedures.
• Supervise interns and/or student employees.
• Keep current with trends and developments in the field of digital preservation.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent, or advanced degree in an appropriate subject discipline with relevant special collections or archival training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice.
• Familiarity with a variety of operating systems and digital file formats.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Three (3) or more years of experience working with digital archives in a library, archives, historical society, or museum setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of theory, standards, and best practices in digital asset lifecycle management.
• Experience with technical and descriptive standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Organizational skills in planning, prioritizing, and achieving goals and coordinating complex projects.
• Knowledge of federal laws and academic policies regarding access and use of archival materials, including FERPA, HIPAA, copyright, privacy issues, and ethics.
• Familiarity with archival information management systems, digital library software, digital and website preservation tools.
• Continuing education coursework or certification in digital preservation.

ALS recognizes that diversity and respect for human differences within the academy is a key source of intellectual vitality and innovative spirit, and encourages genuine respect for individual backgrounds, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives, and opinions. ALS invites applicants from diverse backgrounds who will contribute affirmatively and creatively to the university’s multicultural environment. We seek candidates who reflect the rich mix of backgrounds, life experiences, cultures, perspectives, and world views found within our university and community.