Production & Digitization Technician
Summary: Gates Archive is the private archive of the personal and philanthropic collections of the Gates family. Committed to creating a culture of learning and belonging, we are a team working to build a next generation archive with a focus towards digital-forward processes.
Gates Archive is seeking a Production & Digitization Technician to execute digitization, audiovisual documentation, and related description and delivery efforts for its archival materials. This position will work collaboratively across the organization to advance the development and use of digital collection content, by making materials identifiable and available through digital asset management systems and other discovery tools and platforms.
This is a full-time contract position expected to work onsite in our Seattle, WA office, scheduled to begin in Spring 2020.
Responsibilities. Work closely with the Gates Archive team to:
• Reformat and digitize selected collection material for documentation and access purposes
• Capture, process, and edit video and audio recordings
• Organize, upload, and process still image and audiovisual media files for access and ingest into a digital asset management system (DAMS) and digital preservation system
• Operate video cameras, audio recording equipment, and lighting in a studio setting for the production of oral history interviews
• Operate and maintain archival reformatting equipment – reprographic cameras, scanners, audiovisual playback decks, conversion hardware and software
• Administer controlled vocabularies for a network of organizations with a global scope
• Contribute to keyword normalization efforts, consolidating submitted terms and creating new relationships
• Revise archival records for accuracy and adherence to authority standards as needed
• Assist in the care and upkeep of production lab and studio environments
• Prepare material for third-party vendor digitization, perform quality control reviews for reformatted materials (in-house or third-party digitization)
• Fulfill other organizational duties as required
Required Skills:
• Photography and/or videography expertise, preferably in an archival or production setting
• Digital file management expertise, preferably in an archival, library, or repository environment
• Demonstrated ability to organize, tag, and describe visual materials, i.e. photos, video
• Ability to work collaboratively and productively through shifting priorities
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; open to giving, receiving, and responding to colleague feedback
• Highly organized with strong attention to details
• Image/audio/video editing software proficiencies (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, WaveLab, Adobe Audition, Audacity)
• MS Office suite abilities
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Applicant must be able to satisfy background check and related requirements.
Preferred Skills:
• Working knowledge of archival or documentary material digitization
• Familiarity with archival collection management systems, digital asset management systems, or similar platforms (e.g., web/enterprise content management systems)
• Understanding of and ability to apply controlled vocabularies, taxonomies, and descriptive standards to content
• Archival material processing ability (digital/physical)
• Familiarity with modern archival theory, standards, and practices and their implementation. This knowledge includes an understanding of appraisal methods, arrangement and description, preservation, and access (digital/physical)
• Familiarity with 3D modeling and photogrammetry technologies (e.g., Autodesk ReCap, Agisoft Metashape)
Education/Experience: A deep expertise in archives, libraries, museums, or media creation/management. This depth of expertise is typically found in earning a Master’s Degree in Archival Studies, or Library & Information Science, or in equivalent professional experience (or combination of both).
Deadline for applications: Review of applications will begin on March 13, 2020. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received by the date the review begins.
To apply, submit a résumé and cover letter to our recruiting partners at: Info@hanselltierney.com.
Hansell Tierney
(206) 232-3080