Digitization Specialist

American University is a student-centered research institution

located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges,

internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating

meaningful change in the world. Learn more about

American University

Department:

Digitization Support

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented

by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means

the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by

university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual)

and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between

American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment

Division.

Job Description

Summary

Under the supervision of the Digitization Coordinator, the

Digitization Specialist is a full-time production assistant and

scanner operator working on the digitization of paper-based

documents and ephemeral items, rare books, audio-visual, and

photographic holdings from Archives and Special Collections based

on unit priorities and digitization-on-demand requests. The

incumbent also performs basic preservation measures, assessment of

analog materials, maintain statistics, enhances metadata,

participates in planning activities, supports digital projects,

performs post-processing and quality control tasks, and handles the

proper storage and naming of digitized files. The incumbent helps

prepare materials for vendor outsourcing. Additionally, the

incumbent assists in the supervision of hourly student assistants

to perform digitization work and quality control files.

Essential Functions:

• Digitize paper-based documents and ephemeral items, rare books,

audio-visual, and photographic holdings from Archives and Special

Collections based on unit priorities and digitization-on-demand

requests. Operate several styles of scanners. Work with student

employees to assist with digitization on 2-person scanners. Ensure

proper handling of archival materials. Perform basic preservation

triage and adjust scanning requirements and conditions based on

needs. Capture and enhance metadata during the digitization

process. Accurately name files, manage large volumes of digital

files, and store digital files based on set policies and

procedures. Maintain accurate statistics related to digital output.

Complete digitization project documentation. Complete digitization

and digital projects according to deadlines, priorities, policies,

and procedures.

• Perform post-processing and quality control tasks on in-house

and outsourced digitized and born-digital material, which may

include renaming, rotating, straightening, cropping, stitching,

redacting, color-correcting, and generating derivative files.

Utilize scanner software and Adobe suite. Identify candidates for

rescans. Flag problems for Digitization Coordinator.

• Assist Digitization Coordinator in digitization project

planning. Identify preservation or content risks. Assist with

inventory projects. Assist in preparing materials to be outsourced

for vendor digitization. Support digital projects within Archives

and Special Collections including but not limited to digital

exhibitions, transcription projects, and social media.

• Assist the Digitization Coordinator with supervising part-time

employees.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Assists with hourly student employee oversight under guidance

of Digitization Coordinator.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.
• Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.
• Work modality: Hybrid 01 (on campus 3 - 4 days per week) after

probationary period, or sooner, as determined by the department

director based on progress towards understanding core job

functions.

• This position is union eligible.

Salary Range:

• $22.86 - $29.44 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree or equivalent.
• Less than 1 year of relevant experience.
• Advanced computer skills and experience troubleshooting

technology issues.

• Experience working with the Adobe Creative Suite, including

Photoshop.

• Experience working with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft

apps.

• Able to learn and adapt to new technologies.
• Experience handling paper-based, photographic, rare, and

audio-visual items.

• Familiarity with archives and/or special collections

repositories.

• Ability to follow detailed instructions and maintain

documentation.

• Experience with data entry tasks.
• Experience working with a team to complete common objectives

and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to create

results-driven and positive environment.

• Strong customer service skills including the ability to be

responsive to service needs of constituents in a courteous and

consistent manner.

• Strong ability to prioritize and multi-task, including the

ability to reprioritize tasks to resolve issues that arise.

• Strong attention to detail, takes the time and effort to ensure

that work is accurate and high quality, and ability to work

independently under minimal supervision.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to

establish and maintain positive working relationships with

colleagues, staff at all levels of the campus hierarchy, a diverse

community, and vendors and other external partners.

• Excellent organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills

with the ability to present information clearly and

concisely.

• Demonstrated ability to be flexible, navigate ambiguity, and

adapt to change in a dynamic environment.

• Evidence of a strong commitment to diversity and a mentality

that is ethical, transparent, and inclusive.

• Reliable and responsive to communications in a timely

manner.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 1 - 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience digitizing paper-based, photographic, books, and

audio-visual materials.

• Knowledge of photography.
• Familiarity with born digital materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current practices, trends, standards,

and research in archival, special collections, and imaging.

• Experience with the use of digital technologies, metadata

schemas, and technology applications relevant to digital imaging

and reformatting.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight

objects up to 50 pounds and standing, walking, and bending.

• Must be able to lift items up to 50 pounds and retrieve

materials from shelves that are seven feet high.

• Work requires frequent exposure to dust and potential exposure

to mold.

• Work is performed in a typical interior/office work

environment.

• Must be able to work in an office setting where the temperature

is set to a constant 63⁰ F.

• Work is performed in an environment that doesn’t permit food

and open beverages.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or

contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or

responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with

or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package.

Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit

options .

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful

completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must

deliver their services to the university from either the District

of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the

university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or

contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or

responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time

with or without notice.

• American University is an

E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their

employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American

University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report

which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University

careers site, email theworkline@american.edu

.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action

institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and

regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of

race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy),

age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal

appearance, gender identity and expression, family

responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran

status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases

under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its

programs and activities.