Job Description: Digital Preservation Archivist
Position Overview:
The Digital Preservation Archivist plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term accessibility and integrity of digital materials within the library and information science field. This position requires a skilled professional who possesses a deep understanding of archival principles, digital preservation best practices, and technological tools relevant to managing digital collections. The Digital Preservation Archivist will collaborate with various stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for preserving, organizing, and providing access to digital assets.
Responsibilities:
1. Develop and implement digital preservation policies, procedures, and workflows to ensure the long-term accessibility and authenticity of digital materials.
2. Collaborate with subject matter experts to evaluate, select, and implement digital preservation systems, tools, and technologies.
3. Conduct regular audits and assessments of digital collections to identify risks, vulnerabilities, and potential issues related to preservation and access.
4. Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of digital preservation processes, standards, and best practices.
5. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish metadata standards and ensure consistent metadata creation and management across digital collections.
6. Monitor and manage the ingest, storage, and retrieval of digital assets, adhering to established preservation standards and protocols.
7. Conduct research and stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in digital preservation and archiving.
8. Provide training and support to library staff on digital preservation workflows, tools, and technologies.
9. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for the long-term preservation and access of born-digital and digitized materials.
10. Participate in the development and execution of digital preservation projects, including the migration and/or conversion of legacy digital formats.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
1. Master's degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, or a related field.
2. Demonstrated experience working with digital preservation systems, tools, and technologies.
3. Strong understanding of archival principles and best practices for preserving digital materials.
4. Proficient knowledge of metadata standards and their application in digital preservation.
5. Familiarity with digital asset management systems and their functionalities.
6. Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to analyze complex digital preservation challenges.
7. Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
8. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
9. Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy and the ability to ensure data integrity.
10. Familiarity with copyright and intellectual property issues related to digital collections.
11. Knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in digital preservation and archiving.
12. Ability to adapt to new technologies and learn new tools quickly.
Note: This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required.