Technical Assistant, Digital Prservation

The Museum has an exciting opportunity for a professional to join the Collection Engagement Business Unit, providing quality training and support to Museum staff in the use and development of its collection information systems.

The Collection Engagement Business Unit focuses on the 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 Collection Engagement Business Unit encompasses the diverse range of activities which make the Museum’s collections discoverable. These include collection documentation, collection imaging and digitisation, supporting and developing the Museum’s Collection Management System (EMu) and Digital Asset Management System (Piction), managing associated IP rights, managing the Library and Archive collections and providing public access to the collection - 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.

This role supports the Museum’s digital preservation program by undertaking the day-to-day activities to preserve and provide access to the Museum's digitised and born-digital collections, including:

- file format identification and validation of files
- reviewing, and preparing digital material for ingest.
- developing, testing and implementing digital workflows
- supports ongoing preservation planning activities.
- supports the Digital Preservation Coordinator by providing advice and information to internal stakeholders on digital preservation
- develops associated documentation such as field guides, manuals, data entry guidelines and training guides.
- Providing support for system management, including maintenance, upgrades, and testing activities

Together with the Digital Preservation Coordinator this role will:

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

To be successful in this role you will have relevant experience working with digital data, metadata and systems preferably within a repository or collection management context. You will have a background or interest in collection management practices related to digital preservation and an awareness of concepts, processes and tools related to the management and care of digital cultural objects. You will be adaptable and responsive to user needs when providing training and support, being able to readily distill information and communicate effectively. You will also have excellent problem-solving and trouble-shooting abilities.

**Selection criteria**

1. Developed technical skills in the management of digital data and metadata, file format identification and the preparation of files for ingest across a range of formats.

2. Excellent problem-solving skills, proven capacity for learning and ability to adapt.

3. Demonstrated research and analytical skills preferably as they relate to digital preservation.

4. Demonstrated organisational skills and a systematic approach to dealing with varied tasks, together with an ability to complete a variety of tasks within agreed deadlines.

5. Demonstrated communication skills with capacity to work effectively and collaboratively within and across teams.

6. 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**
- be an Australian citizen;
- undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check.