Digital Archivist (Assistant Librarian)

Description

Overview

Utah State University (USU) Libraries seek a collaborative, innovative, and service-minded archivist to facilitate the accessioning of digital assets and contribute to the Libraries’ digital preservation efforts. This is a new position that will play a key role in incorporating Preservica as the central digital preservation and access platform for the Libraries’ digital assets. The position will be part of the newly formed Digital Stewardship Program in the Special Collections & Archives Section.

The Digital Archivist is primarily responsible for developing and implementing workflows, best practices, and policies associated with the creation, receipt, appraisal, selection, and ingestion of born-digital information and digital surrogates, including electronic records, digital objects (text, image, audiovisual), web pages, and datasets. This position will collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including curators, archivists, catalogers, systems analysts, vendors, and donors to facilitate digital acquisitions. The Digital Archivist will work closely with the other members of the Digital Stewardship Program (includes the Digital Preservation Librarian and metadata specialists) to ensure accessioned digital assets are properly described and preserved. The successful applicant will work in a collaborative environment with support for professional growth and development.

USU Libraries is currently wrapping up a realignment process that will position the Libraries to be agile and at the forefront of changing user needs. We anticipate this will be completed Fall 2023. Please note that these new alignments may not be reflected on the Libraries’ website or public presences until the end of the process. Current information on the new organizational structure can be requested from Clint Pumphrey or Andrea Payant. The successful applicant will report to the chair overseeing digital stewardship.

The position is a 12-month, tenure track faculty appointment with rank as Assistant Librarian. The position is open fall 2023 and the start date is negotiable.

Responsibilities

75% Librarianship Responsibilities

• Develops, documents, maintains, and assesses workflows, procedures, and best practices for the creation, receipt, appraisal, selection, and ingestion of digital assets to include email, websites, and social media.
• In collaboration with the University Archivist and other colleagues, develop a web archiving program.
• Performs forensic capture, imaging, and analysis of incoming and legacy removable media, such as optical media (CDs/DVDs), flash drives, external/internal hard drives, and floppy disks
• Recommends equipment, digital forensics workstation needs, and other associated tools.
• Plays an integral role in the implementation, development, and management of Preservica and other technologies used for preserving and providing access to digital assets.
• Consults with curators and other content stewards (both internal and external) on strategies, best practices, and processes for receiving digital accessions from content creators or donors.
• As a member of the Digital Stewardship Program, supports the planning and management of curation lifecycle actions for digital assets (e.g., The Digital Curation Centre’s [DCC] Curation Lifecycle Model).
• Participates in and provides training for both technical and non-technical colleagues and stakeholders on workflows and tools.
• Participates in the development of processes for deaccessioning digital assets.

15% Research and Creative Endeavors Responsibilities:

• Contributes to the fields of archives or librarianship through original research or scholarly outputs (presentations, publications, white papers, standards development, exhibits, etc.)

10% Service Responsibilities:

• Contributes to the fields of archives or librarianship by serving on university, local, regional, national, or international committees.

Qualifications

USU Libraries understands that successful candidates possess a variety of experiences and abilities, some of which lend themselves to demonstrating these qualifications better than others. We encourage candidates to think broadly about how their experiences, knowledge, skills, and abilities can apply to the qualifications. We remain committed to professional development and training to continue to build and evolve skills for the future.

Required Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library science, archival science, computer science, or related field by start date. An appointment as affiliate librarian will be considered for those who complete degree requirement by December 2023.
• Demonstrated proficiency in working with a variety of digital formats (e.g., image, audio, video, text).
• Knowledge of archival theory and methodology.
• Knowledge of current digital preservation standards, best practices, and/or technologies.
• Aptitude and interest in learning new technologies and skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to practices that foster inclusion and belonging.
• Ability to organize and manage projects, plan and execute workflows, track progress, and meet individual and team objectives in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including listening, speaking, and writing, as well as the ability to effectively communicate technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving, and resourcefulness.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible, navigate ambiguity, and adapt to changing assignments and needs.
• The ability to meet the university's requirements for promotion and tenure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an academic library setting.
• Coursework or experience in an archives or special collections environment.
• Experience working with digital asset management systems or archival collection management systems (e.g., ArchivesSpace).
• Experience with digital preservation processes and systems (e.g., Preservica).
• Experience with digital forensics tools, techniques, and practices.
• Experience accessioning or processing archival materials, either analog or born-digital.
• Experience with archiving email, social media, or websites according to best practices and procedures.
• Experience working with preservation metadata standards (e.g., PREMIS) and/or XML.
• Experience in supervision or mentorship.

Salary minimum of $55,000, plus excellent benefits including a 14.2% (starting at $7,810) annual retirement contribution. Utah State University offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical and dental, and 22 days/year vacation. The Libraries provide generous support for professional development and travel. The Libraries support a flexible work environment while recognizing the level of flexibility within positions will vary based on individual job responsibilities. Relocation assistance is available.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. CV/Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
   • Please address each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in your letter as fully as possible using evidence from your educational or workplace experience as appropriate.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Minimum of $55,000, commensurate with experience

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 7/2023

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov