Digitization Specialist

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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 depa