Digital Archivist, Wyner Jewish Heritage Center at New England Historic Genealogy, MA
Posted December 6, 2022
Description:
The Digital Archivist will be responsible for implementing a variety of digital projects, with an emphasis on the digitization of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society–Boston Port Records and other collections. This is a highly collaborative position that works closely with staff from the JHC as well as with NEHGS Special Collections and web teams. The potential applicant will be proactive; be comfortable taking initiative; have experience and interest in archival processing, digital asset management, metadata, and digitization best practices; and, as needed, help with content creation for social media.
The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (JHC) at New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is a destination for collecting, preserving, and illuminating the history of Jewish families and institutions in New England and beyond. The JHC has a Digital Archive with nearly 700,000 searchable documents; we are committed to the preservation of physical collections and increasing access to them through digitization, and to making records available online to researchers.
This is a benefits eligible, full-time position located at our headquarters on Newbury Street in Boston MA.
Some of our amazing benefits include; medical, dental, vision, retirement, generous paid time off, Holidays, and much more!
Qualifications:
Collections
Coordinates digitization projects, with primary focus on the HIAS digitization project.
- Works with other members of the JHC team to identify, prioritize, and develop plans for digital projects.
- Maintains and customizes CONTENTdm database.
- Digitizes, creates metadata, and ingests material to the digital archives.
- Edits and enhances current metadata using controlled vocabularies, and establishing local controlled vocabulary as needed.
- Provides quality control of digitized images, including resolution, color, and metadata.
- Works with Adobe Photoshop and Epson scanning software.
- Modifies and documents, as needed, digitization procedures and workflow based on standards to improve quality and productivity.
- Works with JHC Collections Management Archivist and NEHGS Special Collections team on born- digital materials workflow, preservation, and access, and manuscript processing as required
Outreach
As needed, provides demonstrations of digitization processes for donors and other visitors.
Develops reference tools for using the digital archives.
In collaboration with the Collections Management Archivist, provides reference services as needed, including instruction on using collections and/or digital archives.
Contributes periodically to organizational publications (including the JHC newsletter and NEHGS Vita Brevis and the Weekly Genealogist) about new content in digital archives.
Maintains landing pages and JHC content on the Digital Library and Archives site.
Family History
Works with the JHC Collections Management Archivist to make family histories and genealogies available online in the digital archives.
Identifies and works with NEHGS web team on creating database content for family history research.
Other
As part of a team, actively participates in the strategic advancement of the Jewish Heritage Center.
Trains and supervises digitization project interns and volunteers.
Maintains statistics and project reports as required.
Participates in content creation for JHC social media platforms, as needed.
Collaborates with JHC and other NEHGS staff on projects as required.
Attends weekly staff meetings and other meetings as required.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- A college degree with a focus in history, information studies, or a related field.
- Computing and technical skills (Microsoft office, scanning software, photo editing software, Cloud-based storage, XML, HTML.)
- Experience working with digital asset management, digital repository, particularly CONTENTdm.
- 2-3 years experience working with archival materials and/or digital objects: processing analog, analog-to-digital, or born-digital collections; digitization; digital asset management.
- Strong communication and writing skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated project management experience.
- Interest in Jewish cultural history, family history, and genealogy.
- Ability to lift and carry a 40 pound box.
Desired Qualifications:
- ALA accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in archives, digital curation, or digital asset management OR commensurate professional experience OR Society of American Archivists Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) certification.
- Experience working with digital asset management, digital repository, particularly CONTENTdm.
- Knowledge of digital preservation systems, standards, best practices, and OAIS reference model.
- Experiencing working with various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
Apply by:
December 23, 2022
Salary:
$43,000 – $45,000 / Per hour
How to Apply:
To apply, please email a resume and compelling cover letter to Michelle Major, Director of Human Resources,[email protected]. No phone calls please.