DescriptionReporting to the Director of Archives & Records Management, the Digital Archivist holds primary responsibility for the implementation and maintenance of all systems used by the Arthur H. Aufses, Jr., MD Archives, including: the archives management system, Access to Memory (AtoM); the digital preservation systems, Archivematica and BitCurator; web archiving system, Archive-It; and any additional systems that may be adopted. The Digital Archivist is the Archives’ primary resource for the curation, management, and preservation of digitized and born-digital archival material. This role collaborates within the Archives and Records Management team and across all Scholarly & Research Technologies units. This position also provides reference and outreach support services for Aufses Archives collections. Completes other projects as assigned by the Director of Archives.
This is a hybrid position, with a requirement to be on-site three days a week.
ResponsibilitiesDigital Archives:
- Ingest and manage large born-digital and digitized record sets into Digital Preservation and Storage Environment (Archivematica and Azure) and initiate creation of access copies where appropriate to the Archives catalog.
- Manage web archives using Archive-It, including adding new seeds, testing crawls, scheduling repeating crawls, creating metadata, and performing quality assurance.
- Maintain relationships with outside vendors to support software and subscriptions, such as Archivematica, AtoM, BitCurator, and Archive-It.
- Assist Archives staff with procedures relating to the transfer, arrangement, and description of digital material.
- Process, arrange, and describe digital archival material in accordance with professional best practices, including all levels and forms of description. Maintain documentation of said practices for adoption and use by the Archives.
- Advise on the creation, management, and preservation of digital surrogates of print, image, audio, and video material in accordance with Archives policies and best practices.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of trends in archival management related to the preservation, access, organization and digitization of source materials, including metadata schemas, digital media processes, archival management systems (such as AtoM), and open access initiatives.
- With the Director of Archives research, pilot, and implement special digital projects as they arise.
- With the Director of Archives, advise and assist donors in pre-custodial activities to appraise and safely transfer digital collections.
- Serve as the Archives representative at digital archives professional communities, events, and discourse.
Administration of Archives Systems:
- Administer and maintain the Archives digital discovery and preservation systems: including ingest of descriptive records; maintaining name, subject, and genre authorities; and the creation and maintenance of appropriate policies and procedures.
- Maintain and update the Archives web presence with the Director of Archives.
- Continually evaluate Archives metadata and digital objects for ongoing migration and clean-up activities, looking for opportunities for improved metadata management.
Reference Services:
- Serve as initial contact in responding to reference requests related to the history of Mount Sinai and the contents of the Mount Sinai Archives. Coordinate with Director of Archives and Associate Archivist for ongoing reference support.
- Maintain access to MSHS policies from legacy policy management system (Liferay), including providing reference to risk management team.
- Provide education about and advocacy for the Archives catalog to the broader Mount Sinai community.
- Participate in outreach activities, including researching and curating exhibits (in collaboration with Archives team), creating lobby slides, and writing blog posts.
Operational Support:
- Assist in the planning processes for the Archives Division.
- Propose and manage special projects, such as internships, grants, partnerships, etc.
- Contribute to the review and maintenance of policies and procedures.
- Inform and provide guidance in advance of any necessary changes to vendor services and relationships.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library, Information Science, or a related field with a concentration in Archives, Digital Preservation, or Records Administration.
- 1-3 years’ experience processing archival collections.
- 1-3 years’ experience with an archival technologies and tools related to appraising, accessioning, processing, preserving, and providing access to born digital archives. AtoM, Archivematica, and BitCurator experience is most desirable, but alternative platforms (e.g. ArchivesSpace, Preservica) are also acceptable. If not previously experienced with systems, the Digital Archivist is responsible for familiarizing themselves with its documentation and administration.
- Experience with successful project management including demonstrated ability to set priorities and deadlines.
- Commitment to and understanding of ethical, sensitive, and inclusive description practices.
- Basic experience in at least one scripting language (ideally Python), sufficient to carry out batch data clean-up and digital processing workflows, or willingness to learn.
- Familiarity with standard library and archival metadata schemas (DACS/EAD, Dublin Core, METS, PREMIS).
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Functional understanding of privacy and sensitivity regulations and standards, e.g. FERPA, HIPAA, or institution specific restrictions
- Digital Archives Specialist Certificate from the Society of American Archivists
- Familiarity with ePadd or other email preservation and discovery tools
- Comfort using basic command line to perform software tasks.
- Experience with database and project management software.
- Familiarity with HTML markup, sufficient to maintain the Archives web presence.
Physical Demands
-
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. Occasional travel required to attend meetings and programs.
General Skills
- Excellent oral and written communication, organizational, and planning skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.
- Possess the ability to work with staff from all levels of the organization.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent ability to multi-task, keeping priorities aligned.
- Excellent customer service and support skills.
Non-Bargaining Unit, 876 - Levy Library - ISM, Icahn School of Medicine