Archivist II - Audiovisual

City of Austin•Austin, TX

1d•$57,970 - $70,720•Onsite

About The Position

Under limited direction, processes archival collections and City of Austin records, provides reference services to the public, and provides public programs. The Audiovisual Archivist manages the Austin History Center’s audiovisual collections across multiple formats, including videotape, motion picture film, audio recordings, and born‑digital materials. Responsibilities include acquiring, cataloging, digitizing, describing, and retrieving collection items, as well as preparing finding aids, reference guides, statistics, and reports. The role also requires operating and maintaining all related playback and transfer equipment, providing archival reference and reproduction services to internal and external users, and supporting outreach initiatives.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library or Information Science, or related to the assigned program from an ALA-accredited university, with specialization in archival enterprise and/or administration, plus two (2) years professional experience working in an archives, library, museum, or other cultural heritage institution, or Master’s degree in History/Public History with coursework in archival administration, or a Master’s Degree in a related field, may substitute for the required Master’s degree in Library or Information Science.
Knowledge of archival and Encoded Archival Description standards, issues, practices, and trends.
Knowledge of reference tools and procedures.
Knowledge of records management issues and practices.
Knowledge of digital imaging issues and trends, especially in regards to archival practice.
Knowledge of electronic records management and preservation.
Skill in processing/arranging archival collections.
Skill in oral and written communication including presentation.
Skill in organizing and interpreting historical records for public presentation.
Skill in using computers and related software, including Microsoft Office products.
Skill in prioritizing work assignments.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with City employees and the public.
Ability to use and apply standards for archival description, cataloging, and networked resource sharing for archival objects and descriptions.
Ability to appraise records for archival and/or historical significance.
Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
Must have the ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English.

Nice To Haves

Experience with legacy audiovisual collections and playback equipment.
Ability to determine preservation priorities and expertly perform preservation best practices for a wide range of analog audiovisual materials.
Experience leading large-scale digitization projects, establishing and adhering to digitization workflows and file naming conventions, and knowledge of video codecs and best practices for encoding video files for preservation and access.
Experience managing large sets of digital assets in a digital asset management system, ensuring files are organized and accessible, and experience creating metadata records for archival objects.
Experience answering archival/historically-related reference questions from the public.
Demonstrated commitment to proactively promoting and embracing diversity in ideas, people, and organizations, and to contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Responsibilities

Appraises, organizes, processes, catalogs, and conserves archival collections and materials.
Curates one or more of the collection units (Periodicals, Maps, Recordings, Photos, etc.) by making selection and acquisition decisions, processing and cataloging materials in that unit.
Compiles finding aids, reference guides, articles, statistics, and reports.
Provides archival reference and research services.
Assists with the acquisition and appraisal of collections by helping to determine whether the collection or acquisition is suitable for inclusion in the AHC collections; assists under the supervision of the AHC manager or a supervisor.
Provides public liaison activities including lectures, media appearances, and interviews.
Explains research policies and procedures, demonstrates research methods, explains the use of reference materials/equipment, and explains fees to customers.
Coordinates and conducts meetings, training, tours, and public programs to the public and staff.
Assists in planning exhibits by organizing and interpreting historical records for public presentation.
May serve as the collections registrar by registering donations into the collection (this is an archives and museum function) and maintaining donor records.
Serves as ‘in-charge’ staff person in management’s absence.
May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Manages the Austin History Center’s audiovisual collections across multiple formats, including videotape, motion picture film, audio recordings, and born‑digital materials.
Acquires, catalogs, digitizes, describes, and retrieves collection items.
Prepares finding aids, reference guides, statistics, and reports.
Operates and maintains all related playback and transfer equipment.
Provides archival reference and reproduction services to internal and external users.
Supports outreach initiatives.