Archival Imaging Specialist

LAC Federal•Landover, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Archival Imaging Specialist will support a major federal archive by digitizing historical photographic collections to help preserve and improve online access to significant archival materials. This on-site role, based in Landover, Maryland, involves high-resolution imaging of photographic negatives, slides, and transparencies using professional digital imaging equipment and archival handling techniques in accordance with established agency standards and protocols. Responsibilities also include image post-processing, metadata creation, and maintaining the quality and integrity of digital assets. The position follows normal business hours of 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM and may require frequent bending, lifting, and handling of archival materials in cool or dusty environments. Candidates must be able to pass a background investigation and provide at least two professional references.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience supporting archival digitization, digital imaging, museum collections, libraries, archives, or cultural heritage organizations
Experience digitizing transmissive materials such as slides, negatives, transparencies, or photographic collections
Familiarity with TIFF preservation imaging standards, color management, and image quality control
Demonstrated experience performing post-processing of digitized or born-digital image-based materials in black & white (B&W) and color.
Experience using a Digital Asset Management system to ingest, describe, and manage digital objects; Open Text Media Management preferred
Experience with digital photography workflows using copy stands or overhead camera systems (PhaseOne camera preferred)
Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, and Microsoft Excel
Experience generating descriptive and technical metadata
Demonstrated ability to handle fragile archival and museum collections carefully and accurately
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work independently in a production-oriented environment
Ability to lift archival boxes and work at imaging workstations for extended periods
Ability to lift, carry, and move archival boxes and materials weighing up to 30 pounds and perform frequent bending, reaching, and standing throughout the workday.
Ability to work at digital imaging workstations for extended periods, including operating overhead camera systems, copy stands, and computer equipment with repetitive hand and wrist movements.
Ability to work in archival storage and processing environments that may be cool, dusty, and require careful handling of fragile historical materials while following preservation and safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Library Science, Archives, Museum Studies, Photography, Digital Humanities, History, Information Science, or a related field strongly preferred
Coursework or background in archives, special collections, photography, museum studies, or preservation
Experience working in federal museum, library, or cultural heritage environments

Responsibilities

Digitize archival slides, negatives, and transmissive materials using professional overhead camera systems and copy stands
Calibrate imaging equipment daily and maintain image quality standards throughout production activities
Handle fragile archival materials using proper preservation and conservation practices
Remove items from archival housings and sleeves and perform light dust removal prior to imaging
Perform image post-processing activities including cropping, color correction, skew adjustment, exposure balancing, and dust cleanup using Adobe Photoshop and related software
Produce preservation-quality TIFF files meeting required technical specifications
Create and maintain technical and descriptive metadata records in Excel spreadsheets and collection systems
Apply standardized file naming conventions and metadata transcription procedures
Store and organize digital assets on designated network drives
Coordinate with Smithsonian staff regarding workflows, imaging priorities, quality control, and production schedules
Maintain accurate production statistics and timesheets
Adhere to archive security, privacy, and collections handling requirements