Audio Digitization Specialist

Description

The Audio Digitization Specialist at Stanford University Libraries is responsible for digitizing historically and culturally important sound recordings in library and archival collections in order to promote their use in scholarly research now and for generations to come. This position is also responsible for a variety of operational tasks, such as media repair and treatment, quality control, documentation, as well as equipment calibration and maintenance, that support production workflows at the library's audio reformatting facilities. The Audio Digitization Specialist reports to the Manager of the Stanford Media Preservation Lab, and contributes to the efforts of the Digital Library Systems and Service division to continually build and improve digital library collections, systems, and services.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Digitize sound recordings according to archival standards for historic audio collections
• Clean and perform repairs and treatments on damaged and/or degrading media
• Re-house and prepare sound recordings for long-term storage
• Identify sound recording problems and recommend solutions, especially in connection with preservation issues
• Monitor and perform quality control checks on reformatted digital copies
• Use databases or other tools and applications to document collections of sound recordings and individual sound recordings (data entry of descriptive, administrative, and technical information)
• Manage a variety of file and workflow processes, such as batch conversion processing and file transfers
• Prepare documentation (workflows, procedures, logs of production work performed)
• Communicate with other support staff (quality control technicians, production coordinators) and clients (curators, archivists, public service staff)
• Clean, calibrate and maintain playback equipment; order supplies
• Stay abreast of technological developments as they relate to digital media and audio archives, and recommend future needs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in a related field, or demonstrated training in audio engineering
• At least 1 year experience in an audiovisual archive, library, or similar organization, or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of digital and analog audio formats and elements, including the ability to identify recording characteristics
• Experience using audio playback equipment, such as open reel players and turntables
• Familiarity with sound recording and digital preservation issues and standards
• Strong knowledge of systems and applications for media editing, production and delivery
• Proficiency with Mac OSX operating systems
• Familiarity with professional audio software, such as WaveLab and Nuendo
• Strong computing skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, and collaborative tools (wikis)
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, discretion, and initiative
• Maintain accurate work at a steady pace
• Work collegially with supervisor, peers, other staff, and outside clientele
• Strong administrative aptitude with excellent record-keeping skills
• Highly-developed organizational skills, with great attention to detail, and ability to coordinate numerous activities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including spelling, grammar, and composition skills
• Ability to lift 30 lbs, and to handle a fully loaded cart.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Experience working with streaming media systems for delivering content on the web
• Familiarity with using command-line tools
• Foreign language skills.