Position: Archives Assistant – Data Management
Location: Work From Home
Contract: Fixed-Term
Hours: 28-35 hours per week, to a maximum of 525 hours in total
Wage: $25 per hour
Application Deadline: August 9, 2021
Interviews: August 12-13, 2021
Start Date: ASAP
Project and Position
Western Front has recently undertaken a major multi-year database development project. With developer Whirl-i-gig, we have created a custom and open-source CollectiveAccess build to improve our archive’s administrative, digital preservation, and descriptive needs in preparation for public access on a new website.
The Archives Assistant – Data Management is a fixed-term position that will work from home with guidance and support from the Western Front Archivist and Executive Director. The position entails assessing and refining the data migrated from the legacy FileMaker database to the current CollectiveAccess system. The position will have the opportunity to work with archives preservation and administrative data, ensuring that all descriptions are formatted and presented consistently, and learn about workflows within an artist-run centre context. The impact of this position is paramount for Western Front in providing increased accessibility, research and administrative functionality, preservation, and institutional memory.
Responsibilities
* Verifying data migration from FileMaker to CollectiveAccess
* Consolidating duplicate records, record relationships and record types
* Clearly and consistently revising metadata, with consideration for diverse artists and online audiences, staff needs, and in conjunction with institutional and international data and descriptive standards
* Creating documentation and identifying problem areas within a relational database environment
* Uploading media assets and linking with records
* Archival description of textual and graphic materials
* Importing legacy finding aids
* Participating in conversations surrounding record keeping systems, archival description, copyright, trauma informed practice, cultural protocols, and front-end display
Candidate Profile
Required
* Current or recent graduate from an archival or information studies program (or equivalent experience)
* Comfortable working independently, remotely, and with online communication technologies
* Understanding of archival hierarchy and archival practice, and sensitivity to the limitations of these practices
* Knowledge and/or experience with the Rules for Archival Description (RAD) or other descriptive standards
* Effective verbal, written, communication, and time management skills
* Attention to detail and comfortable working with data and repetitive screen-related tasks
Preferred but not required
* Knowledge, appreciation, and/or experience working within the arts
* Experience or familiarity with FileMaker and/or CollectiveAccess
* Knowledge or experience in working with PREMIS, DublinCore, and VRACore
* Knowledge of media arts and media archive related work
Western Front is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous persons, people from racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and those with the skills and knowledge to engage and serve diverse communities with care and sensitivity. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their cover letter. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply, however Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those who hold a Canadian work permit will be given priority.
Orientation and Training
Support and training will be provided by the Archivist (Anna Tidlund, she/her), Executive Director (Susan Gibb, she/her) and Technical Operations Director (Ben Wilson, he/him). A mixture (depending on need) of remote and on-site orientations and introductions, COVID-19 safety, emergency response, and database training is to be expected.
Deadline and Contact Information
Application deadline is August 9, 2021.
Cover letter and resume should be emailed to the attention of:
Anna Tidlund, Archivist: archivist@front.bc.ca