Digital Archivist

Ohio University Libraries seeks an innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented Digital Archivist.

The Digital Archivist is essential to Libraries’ initiatives that advance the University’s Dynamic Strategies though digital stewardship in support of teaching, learning, research and institutional memory. They provide leadership and expertise in digital archiving, digital preservation, and electronic records management for the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections and play an integral role in developing a collaborative approach to managing born digital content across collections including, the Documentary Photography Archive, Manuscript Collections, University Archives, University Records Management, and Rare Books. The Digital Archivist supports the integration of born digital archives and special collections into OHIO teaching, learning, and research, and fosters the scholarly use of OHIO collections globally.

The archivist will be joining a team that includes colleagues from Archives and Special Collections, Digital Initiatives, and Preservation.

Job Responsibilities:

Developing a collaborative approach to managing born digital content across collections and in partnership with the Libraries’ digitization and digital preservation program.

Born Digital Collection Management and Preservation: Acquire, appraise, and accession born digital materials across archives and special collections. Support the long-term accessibility and integrity of digital materials by addressing file format obsolescence, media decay, and technological changes. Develop, implement, and document policies and workflows for the selection, acquisition, and management of born digital materials in accordance with archival standards and best practices and in collaboration with appropriate library partners.

Metadata Creation: Create and manage descriptive, administrative, and technical metadata for born digital assets to facilitate discovery, access, and long-term preservation. Adhere to established metadata standards and schemas, such as Dublin Core, PREMIS, and METS. In collaboration with appropriate library partners develop and implement policies and procedures that facilitate optimal access to mixed format collections.

Access and Outreach: Facilitate teaching, learning, and research with born digital primary resources in collaboration with library colleagues by prioritizing access and preservation initiatives that foster the scholarly use of collections globally.
Advancing Digital Records: Collaborate with the University Archivist and records manager to investigate the role of the libraries in supporting the retention of and access to, born digital University Records.

Advises and supports colleagues on the ethics that inform digital archives and digitization activities in a higher education environment, such as acquisition, access, and intellectual property.

Provides archival processing assistance for mixed format collections, as necessary.

Engages in professional development such as attending conferences, workshops, and webinars related to job functions.

The target salary for this position is $55,000 to $65,000 and is commensurate with the selected candidate’s education and experience.

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (M.L.S./M.L.I.S.) from an ALA-accredited library school, or an equivalent accredited degree with formal training in archival theory and practice, is required.

Working knowledge of tools and software used to capture, manage, transfer and deliver born-digital records, including web archiving activities and tools.

Familiarity with relevant standards for archival description and preservation such as DACS, EAD, METS, and PREMIS.

Experience with archival processing.

Experience in an academic or research library.

Experience with digital preservation tools such as Preservica, Bitcurator, and Archive-It.

Experience with digital asset and archival management systems such as ArchivesSpace and CONTENTdm.

Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of collegiality, respect, and trust.

Ability and willingness to work with colleagues in collaborative and team environments, and independently.

SAA Digital Archives (DAS) certificate.

Experience with digital archives, preservation, or life cycle planning.

Knowledge of laws and ethics that inform digital archives and digitization activities in a higher education environment, such as acquisition, access, and intellectual property.

A commitment to continuous learning.

Ohio University is proud of its rich history, diverse campuses, international communities, and beautiful Appalachian settings. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, diverse, and inclusive workforce and community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information. Ohio University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.