Digital Preservation Coordinator

The Museum has an exciting opportunity for a professional to join the Collection Engagement Business Unit as a Digital Preservation Coordinator.  

The Collection Engagement Business Unit focuses on current and future processes supporting engagement with the Museum’s collections, including building the Museum’s capacity to manage, store and preserve digital collection material.   

The Business Unit encompasses the diverse range of activities which make the Museum’s collections discoverable. These include documentation, imaging and digitisation, administering the Museum’s Collection Management System (currently EMu) and Digital Asset Management System (currently Piction), managing associated intellectual property rights, managing the Library and Archive collections, and providing public access– both online and on-site in the Museum’s collection stores.  The Business Unit also includes a First Nations Collections section, which is responsible for repatriation, facilitating First Nations community access to collections, and enhancing the knowledge of the First Nations collections held by the Museum.  

The Collection Engagement Business Unit works closely with: the Curatorial team, who set the intellectual framework for collection development; the Collection Care and Management team who are responsible for collection conservation, storage, and related logistics; and the Information Technology team who are responsible for the technical infrastructure and systems.

The Digital Preservation Co-Ordinator will manage a small team to coordinate the Digital Preservation systems, processes and standards for the Museum’s digital cultural collections and assets. The role will:

- ensure the reliable operation of the Museum’s Trusted Digital Repository (TDR) and provide day-to-day and long-range administrative oversight of the TDR, including the resolution of technical issues. 

- work closely with vendors and the Museum IT team to investigate and critically analyse system and business processes and identify opportunities for improvement

- supervise the Digital Preservation Technician and together plan, manage and undertake Digital Preservation and related activities such as administering testing processes, documenting processes, data and reporting analysis and preparation for system changes including upgrades 

- Work collaboratively within Collection Engagement to ensure all collection systems are managed and data integrity maintained.  This includes providing advice, support and testing activities for any system management or upgrade process.

- Work collaboratively across the Museum as part of the process in acquiring, producing, documenting, preserving and providing access to the Museum’s digital cultural collections and assets. 

- Build sector relationships and undertake research to identify and formulate opportunities to improve standards and processes relating to Digital Preservation. 

- Support the Division in learning and developing skills and knowledge in regards preserving digital cultural objects.

- Support the Manager, Changeable and Digital Collections with policy development, reporting activities and other higher-level tasks as required

What will the successful candidate bring to the role?

To be successful in this you will have experience and expertise in the management of digital cultural objects within a digital repository or similar system. You will have a high level of technical skills and demonstrated ability to research and resolve problems using a variety of Digital Preservation resources and tools, particularly in relation to technical and data related issues. You will have the ability to establish and maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships through effective communication, negotiation and issues management to engage stakeholders and ensure program deliverables are met. 

Selection criteria

Applicants must respond to each of the following selection criteria and include contact details for two referees in their application.

1. Demonstrated professional experience in the administration and development of Digital Preservation practices and system(s), preferably within a cultural institution context.

2. Experience in working effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary workgroups to investigate, analyse and document business processes and deliver software solutions within agreed timelines.

3. Strong awareness and understanding of international standards and best practice for digital collecting, including curation and standards for the management of born-digital material.

4. Knowledge of sector and international standards in relation to Digital Preservation and digital archiving practices, including metadata schema, file formats, control and management of digital cultural collections and assets.

5. High-level communication and negotiation skills, with strong conflict resolution skills and an ability to build effective relationships, to effectively lead a small team and work productively across the organisation.

6. Well-developed written and presentation skills, and ability to represent the Museum’s interests with external stakeholders and vendors. 

7. Commitment to legal and regulatory responsibilities, including Workplace Health and Safety as it applies to this role and approved places of work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace. 

The National Museum of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for these principles in theory and practice.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must: 

- be an Australian citizen

- undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check.