Shelby White and Leon Levy Digital Archives and Collections Specialist

9/11 Memorial & Museum•New York, NY

8d•$88,000 - $88,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Head of Cataloging and Archives, the Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives and Collections Specialist is a key member of the project team supporting the Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives Initiative at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The initiative’s primary objective is to establish an institution-wide digital asset management system (DAMS) that will incorporate both born digital and digitized museum collections and institutional archives. The Digital Archives and Collections Specialist serves as the manager of digital museum collections and archives and will lead the effort to establish and implement policies governing their organization, documentation, management, and preservation. The Digital Archives and Collections Specialist will also play an important role in the development of the DAMS that will serve as the institution’s repository for digital content. This is a full-time, at will employment position. Currently, funding for this position is established for a period of two years, with the possibility for extension after those two years. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s permanent collection is an unparalleled repository consisting of material evidence, first-person testimony, and historical records of the response to the February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their ongoing repercussions. To date, the Museum has acquired more than 55,000 digital objects, including photographs, moving images, oral histories, and artworks that document the lives and experiences of 9/11 victims, survivors, and first responders. The Museum also collects digital archives and has begun to assemble an institutional archive documenting the organization’s history. Note: This is a grant-funded position with a fixed term ending June 2028.

Requirements

A graduate degree in library and information science, digital archiving, or a related field.
A minimum of five years’ experience as a digital archivist or digital asset manager.
Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice, including experience processing digital objects and archives.
Strong command of digital preservation standards and best practices; experience implementing the National Digital Stewardship Alliance’s Levels of Digital Preservation.
Comfortable using command line tools; some coding experience (ideally Python) preferred.
Experience with digital asset taxonomy and metadata and knowledge of relevant standards for archival description.
Extensive knowledge of digital formats (image, audio, video, text) and best practices for their documentation and preservation.
In-depth knowledge of relational collections management systems as well as archiving and digital preservation systems and standalone tools; experience with DAMS software a plus.
Familiarity with digital storage media and digital collections storage best practices.
Ability to liaise with vendors on digital preservation software implementation and problem solving.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate and work effectively within and across department boundaries in an organization and with a variety of digital collection stakeholders.
This position requires a cover letter for consideration. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting or overseeing a digital asset inventory using related tools.
Experience or familiarity with records management a plus.

Responsibilities

Processes all newly acquired digital collection objects and archives.
Documents workflows for digitization, accessioning digital materials, and digital preservation actions.
Identifies and procures tools, equipment, and software necessary for long-term digital preservation of digital museum collections; works with IT as needed to install and maintain digital preservation software.
Maintains digital preservation and digitization hardware, software, and maintenance contracts.
Plans for growth and replacement and develops annual digital preservation budget.
Manages and maintains digital collections currently stored on department servers and in relevant databases.
Provides guidance to curators and donors regarding preferred file formats and best practices for intaking digital content.
Oversees the digitization of collections as needed. Includes in-house scanning of “scan and return” materials and vendor-provided digitization of analog materials.
Coordinates shipments to vendors and donors.
Develops and implements strategies for strengthening the documentation and preservation of existing digital collections.
Facilitates the access and use of digital collections for purposes of research, education, loan, and exhibition.
Stays current on digital preservation best practices and updates in-house standards and workflows as needed.
In collaboration with the Digital Asset Manager and Head of Cataloging and Archives, develops and implements metadata standards and controlled vocabularies for documenting digital collections in the Museum’s collections management system, CollectiveAccess.
In collaboration with the Digital Asset Manager and Head of Cataloging and Archives, develops policies, procedures, and workflows for the receipt, organization, description, storage, access, and long-term preservation of digital objects and archives.
Supports the Digital Asset Manager with the preparation and ingest of material into the DAMS.
Participate in the Annual 5K Fundraiser and 9/11 Commemoration, as assigned.
Assist with other special projects and events in support of 9/11 Memorial & Museum, as assigned.