Digital Archivist

Description

The Digital Archivist, reporting to the Director of Collections & Research Services and the Director of Digital Library Technology Services, will lead New York University Libraries’ efforts to manage the existing born digital holdings and expand the capacity to collect born digital content, ensure effective acquisition, appraisal, description, preservation, future migration, access to and security of digital components of collections acquired by the Libraries.

Primary responsibilities will include:
Establish a set of best practices for managing born digital material within collections held and acquired by NYU: identify and engage the resources (hardware, software, vendors, peer institutions) available to perform migration from (obsolete) media containing born digital material; develop and document procedures for the routine migration, description, and management of born digital materials during accessioning and/or processing; work with staff in the Digital Library technology Services department to establish and apply specifications and procedures for ingest into NYU’s digital repository; train staff as necessary; lead efforts to locate born material in previously processed collections and develop plans for their retrospective management. Enhance the Library’s capacity to responsibly acquire born digital materials: evaluate proposed acquisitions with born digital components; develop and document techniques and procedures for acquiring born digital content directly from the creators, transferring them directly into the Library’s repository; coordinate acquisitions of born digital content, acting as a liaison between the creators and the Library’s curatorial, archival, and technical staff; when necessary and possible, work directly with content creators to advise on record keeping practices that will facilitate the eventual transfer of their materials; propose and investigate potential acquisitions.Develop and oversee workflows and advise library units on the integration and description of born digital materials in collections. Directly support processing of collections with a substantial volume of born digital content. Work with other NYU Libraries departments, such as Library Information Technology Services, Knowledge Access and Resource Management Services and Digital Library technology Services, to assess existing technical infrastructure to support work with digital material and to identify and implement tools and processes. Enhance processes for acquisition, description access, preservation, and future migration of born digital assets.

Required Experience:
Minimum three years experience working in an archival repository in a professional capacity. Demonstrated experience with born digital archiving and records management practices, and related systems and automations techniques, including auditing/checksum routines, write blockers, file format identification, and media conversion. Strong command of archival theory and best practices, especially as they relate to the particular issues posed by born digital content. Knowledge of DACS. Excellent interpersonal skills. Knowledge of historical research methods, especially the use of archives. Demonstrated ability to work with databases, data mapping and migration of data from one database system to another. Experience writing policy and documentation and conducting presentations and trainings.

Preferred Experience:
Experience with open source archives management software desired. Familiarity with digital repository systems, particularly DSpace. Knowledge of an experience with Unix or Linux server platforms, as well as Windows and OS X operating systems, preferred. Knowledge of scripting languages such as Ruby or Python helpful. Familiarity and experience with disk imaging and email archiving tools and techniques preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated knowledge of current preservation strategies and standards for born digital materials required. Demonstrated knowledge of digital archival and records management principles and practices, as well as the systems and automation techniques utilized. Demonstrated knowledge of specifications for open source digital repository systems and related technology including auditing/checksum software, write blockers, file identification, and media conversion. Deep understanding of archival theory and management required. Knowledge of current developments regarding born digital materials within archives, special collections and preservation professions is expected. Demonstrated familiarity with data structure standards relevant to the archival control of digital collection materials (EAD, Dublin Core, METS, MODS, PREMIS, XML/XSL) and other data structures relevant to the archival control of digital collection materials. Successfully demonstrated experience training staff. Project management experience. Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, including effectively communicating technical issues to non-technical staff. Must have strong project management, analytical skills and problem solving abilities.