The New School Archives and Special Collections (the Archives) seeks a creative and self-motivated Digital Archives Assistant (DAA) to report to the Associate Director for Digital Archives (ADDA).

The DAA will support digital initiatives and daily activities of the Archives, with a primary focus on the New School web archiving program, and packaging of materials for the repository management system, Archivematica. The DAA will also support tasks related to tracking and making available digitized and born-digital material. In consultation with the ADDA, the DAA will be trained to handle specific types of complex media, such as web archiving, obsolete media processing, or email archiving. 

Candidates must have a strong interest in digital archives illustrated by related coursework, pursuit of computer programming languages, and/or digital preservation work experience. 

This is a part-time position, 25 hours per week. 

This is a Local 1205 Clerical Unit position subject to the terms and conditions agreed to in the Union Contract between Teamsters Local 1205 and The New School. 

The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct and perform quality control on web crawls. 

• Create, edit and maintain records in various content management systems, including CollectiveAccess, ArchivesSpace, and Excel.

• Package digital files for transfers through Archivematica. Communicate with software support staff to resolve systems updates, media errors, and workflow questions.

• Participate in adapting and improving processes and workflows to specific project needs, assist with documenting policies and workflows.

• Carry out BitCurator file reporting, create derivative and streaming files, participate in appraisal and acquisition of born-digital collections.

• Perform tasks related to processing digital material, including format identification and migrations, disk transfers, record imports, data cleanup and other activities related to digital collections in the Archives.

• Carry out scan requests and inhouse scanning projects when needed.

• Catalog objects in collections management database according to established workflows, guidelines and best practices.

• Inventory, track, and perform quality control on digital projects.

• Perform basic video and audio editing tasks related to making files easily accessible.

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong computer and database management skills.

• Clear verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to rapidly apprehend and apply new technologies.

• Aptitude for accurate, extremely detail-oriented work, with excellent communication, writing, and research skills.

• Ability to work independently on multiple projects and priorities, while following required workflows and guidelines.

• Understanding of principles of archival arrangement and description.

• Knowledge of digital imaging and digital preservation standards.

• Familiarity with bibliographic and/or other metadata standards and their application.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• Expertise using photo editing and photo management software, especially Adobe Photoshop.

• Ability and willingness to lift 40-pound boxes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masterâ™s degree in Library or Information Science or coursework or experience working in an archives, special collections department, or museum, or relevant degree.

• Experience with scanning and photographic equipment.

• Experience working in archives or special collections setting. 

• Experience with Archive-It, Conifer, or other web collecting platforms.

• Experience using ArchivesSpace, Collective Access or similar digital content management systems.

• Experience working with Archivematica or other repository management system. 

• Experience with basic editing of digital audio and video.

WORK MODE

Hybrid/Split - Employees hired for this position have regularly scheduled, consistent percentage of time on campus (ex 1-4x/week) and also work some of the time remotely. #LI-HYBRID

SALARY

$24.82/hour, 25 hours per week

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. Cover letter may reference any coursework related to digital archives, digital humanities, or computer programming. Relevant link(s) to a personal website or related digital projects may be included in your application.

About The New School

The New School, a leading university in downtown New York City, offers degree and nondegree academic programs in design, the social sciences, the liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. Students benefit from small classes, superior resources, and renowned faculty members who practice what they teach. Continuing education courses and public programs place the university at the center of New York’s cultural and intellectual life.

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