Manager for Digital Archives, The Harry Ransom Center

University of Texas at Austin

5d•$65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections. We are looking for a forward-thinking and innovative Digital Archivist to lead the stewardship of born digital materials at the Ransom Center. In this role, you will work closely with the Archival Processing Unit to process and catalog digital content at both aggregate and item levels, integrate descriptions into finding aids, and ensure high-quality metadata standards. You’ll collaborate with curators, donors, and other teams within the Metadata + Discovery department to appraise and transfer digital archives, while developing policies and workflows that support long-term preservation and access. This position offers the chance to tackle exciting projects such as implementing EaaSI with campus partners, expanding the Center’s web archiving program, and exploring email archiving strategies. If you are an access-focused archivist and eager to advance digital preservation, shape innovative approaches to managing born-digital archives, and lead projects that define best practices for access and sustainability, we’d love to hear from you.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution program or equivalent international degree.
Two or more years of demonstrated professional experience preserving, processing, describing, and delivering born-digital and hybrid archival materials in a research library or archival setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of digital preservation systems, such as Archivematica or Preservica
Demonstrated knowledge of digital forensic tools, such as BitCurator.
Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice.
Demonstrated experience creating finding aids using EAD and DACS.
Demonstrated ability to work creatively, independently, and collaboratively.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong planning and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with technologies and systems developed or adopted by the archival community for the management of and access to born-digital materials.
Hands-on experience working with technologies and strategies related to digital forensics and digital preservation.
Experience planning and managing a digital preservation program.
Demonstrated knowledge of metadata and other standards relevant to the control of digital materials such as OAIS, EAD, DACS, Dublin Core, MODS, and PREMIS.
Experience with programming languages (such as Python, Java, Perl) and interacting with software through Application Programming Interfaces.
Experience supervising students and other staff.

Responsibilities

Process and catalog born digital materials at the aggregate and item level, and integrate aggregate descriptions into finding aids.
Collaborate with curators and donors to survey, appraise, and ensure proper transfer of digital archival materials.
Develop strategic goals, policies and workflows related to the preservation of, description of, and access to born-digital archival materials.
Monitor quality control of collection and item level description for Born Digital materials.
Work with curators, collection management team, conservation and preservation, and other units within Metadata and Discovery to manage processing priorities for digital archives collections.
Contribute to department documentation strategy.
Select, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot technologies used for the preservation and access of born-digital archival materials.
Train and support HRC staff on workflows and technologies used in the overall management of born-digital archival materials.
Champion the Ransom Center’s role in digital stewardship through active collaboration and partnership across campus and beyond.
Engage in campus, regional, and national scholarly and professional organizations and activities with a focus on digital archival materials.
Support Research Services department through regular Reading and Viewing Room shifts.
Serve as primary contact for public services staff for matters related to born digital access.