Archivist (Digital Preservation)

To manage and develop Archives & Special Collections (ASC) digital preservation services, providing expert professional knowledge and expertise on ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of the Library's unique and distinctive born-digital collections.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee, develop and maintain born-digital collection management policies, workflows and procedures (accession, appraisal, description, and preservation) in line with strategic objectives and professional and technical standards.
• Advise and liaise with teams across Information Services to develop interoperability between digital preservation systems and other University systems, such as ASC collection management systems, research management systems, and electronic document management systems.
• Work collaboratively and co-operatively with Library, Information Services and University colleagues to ensure the processing of born-digital collections in line with professional and Library standards and internal procedures.
• Use specialist knowledge and expertise to develop services for users of born-digital collections to ensure the achievement of strategic objectives.
• Plan the ongoing development of the digital preservation service, including technology watch, risk assessment, and testing of new tools and preservation actions.
• Assess and advocate for appropriate long-term preservation of the University's born-digital records.
• Work with the Business Archives Surveying Officer to promote the digital preservation of business collections, particularly those selected for retention as part of the Scottish Business Archive.
• Contribute to the delivery of Library Collections' services by fulfilling enabling roles (such as building Duty Manager or Engagement Supervisor roles) on a rota basis.
• Develop and maintain knowledge and understanding of digital preservation issues through involvement in appropriate networks, and share this knowledge across Library Collections, Information Services and the University.
• Undertake prioritised projects to support Library Collections' activities towards Information Services strategic plan and University's Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

• Essential:
• A1 Either: ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level Level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 4) or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
• A2 A clear commitment to continuous professional development (e.g. working towards post-qualification membership of a professional association).
• A3 Deep knowledge and understanding of digital preservation principles and techniques, including up-to-date knowledge of relevant tools, methodologies, and standards.
• A4 Knowledge and understanding of archives and records management principles, practices, and standards.
• A5 Knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislative and regulatory framework, including data protection and copyright.
• Desirable:
• B1 An Archives & Records Association approved postgraduate qualification in archives administration or equivalent qualification within the heritage / information management / information technology sector.
• B2 Knowledge and understanding of the higher education sector.

Skills

• Essential:
• C1 Highly effective written and oral communication skills, demonstrating close attention to detail and accuracy of data recording.
• C2 Excellent analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• C3 Ability to keep pace with developments in a fast-moving sector.
• C4 Proven ability to build effective working relationships to achieve goals.
• C5 Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team.
• C6 A flexible approach to changing priorities, working practices, and work environment.
• C7 Effective project management skills with well-developed planning and prioritising skills and the ability to deliver work across multiple activities simultaneously.
• Desirable:
• D1 Proficient in working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Experience

• Essential:
• E1 Demonstrable relevant practical experience of digital preservation and born-digital collections management.
• E2 Practical experience of archives and records management, particularly appraisal and description, to relevant professional standards.
• E3 Detailed practical experience and knowledge of collection management systems.
• E4 Proven track record of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
• Desirable:
• F1 Experience of digital preservation in more than one agency or sector.
• F2 Experience of contributing to the specification of business requirements for complex systems / services.
• F3 Experience of large-scale archive cataloguing projects, and skills and resources required.
• F4 Experience of line management responsibility and/or developing and motivating staff, intern and volunteers and managing performance.
• F5 Experience of working with computer forensics as part of digital archiving workflows, with skills in forensic tools and software.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,247 - £45,163 per annum. This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules.

Closing date: 9 February 2025 @ 23.45