Student Photo collection Assistant – Library and Archives

The Canadian Museum Of Nature; Outaouais; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The Canadian Museum of Nature is seeking a student to digitize Arctic photos and enter metadata to improve access in Portfolio. You will scan images, keep records organized, and perform basic research on topics within the slides.

You will also upload images and curate stories on Google Arts & Culture. Candidates must be enrolled in IRM, Library Studies, or Museum Studies, and able to return full-time in Fall 2027.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a university undergraduate or college program in Information Resource Management (IRM) or related field.
• Must be registered to return full-time to studies Fall 2027.
• Ability to speak and write in English or French is essential.
• Computer fluency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Some knowledge of digitization and metadata.
• Fine motor skills and manual dexterity for handling collection objects.

Responsibilities

• Scan Arctic photos/slides and digitize for the digital asset management system Portfolio.

Skills

Data entry

Digitization

Metadata

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

IRM Program

Library Studies

Museum Studies

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Selection process number: 2090-CMN-26-OC-053
16 weeks, January until April 2027
Full-time, 37,5 hours per week
1 position

Work Location

Canada Museum of Nature, 1740 Pink Road, Gatineau

Selection process number: 2090-CMN-26-OC-053

The natural history collections at the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) comprise millions of plant and animal specimens emphasizing Canadian wild species. This includes many historical and significant specimens from all provinces and territories. The Museum serves the research and education needs of a broad community by building, preserving, upgrading, and facilitating access to the collection, providing staff with exciting opportunities to play a role in current natural history research and collection management.

The Photo Collection is part of the Canadian Museum of Nature's Library and Archives. The photo collection is comprised of glass plates, negatives, slides, prints, and lantern slides. 275,000 images reside with this collection and tell a story about the natural world and the different field trips made by our researchers. Handwritten, typed findings aids are the basic tools to access the images. In the past years, volunteers and students were able to scan images and integrated them in our digital asset management system (Portfolio). By doing this, not only are we preserving the information of the image on a more stable media, but we are also increasing the accessibility of our photo collection.

In support of the collection and its users, we require one (1) student to digitize (scan) Arctic photos/slides and enter metadata in Portfolio to increase the accessibility of the collection.

The student in this role will be:

• Transforming images into digital treasures by scanning and preparing them for our digital asset management system.
• Keeping our records organized and accurate through data entry.
• Exploring and discovering stories by conducting basic research on the subjects featured in our slides.
• Sharing culture with the world by uploading images and curating engaging stories on Google Arts & Culture platform.

Your place at the Museum

We value diversity and believe we benefit from working in a place where everyone feels included and where the unique qualities and strengths inherent in a diverse workforce are combined. We welcome applications from persons who may identify as a member of one or more other equity seeking groups (for e.g. visible minorities, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, religious or cultural minority).

You have a place at the Museum!

QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

• Enrolled in a university undergraduate or college program in Information Resource Management (IRM) Program, Library Studies, Museum Studies or a related field;
• Candidates must be registered to return full-time to their studies in the Fall 2027;
• Ability to speak and write in English or French is essential
• Computer fluency and experience with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word
• Some knowledge of digitization and metadata
• Ability to apply fine motor skills and manual dexterity when handling, inspecting, documenting, and transporting collection objects
• Ability to exercise focused attention to detail in order to maintain necessary high standards for accuracy and organization in all tasks
• Ability to listen effectively, respect established procedures and standards, and faithfully follow instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively in order to ask and answer questions regarding the methods and progress of assigned tasks
• Ability to maintain self-motivation in a variety of team and independent task scenarios

SALARY: Rates of pay are determined at the initial appointment or reappointment stage and are based on the incumbent's current academic level as per the museum's terms and conditions of employment for students . The official working period is from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

NOTE: Canadian citizenship is not required, however individuals must be legally entitled to work in Canada. The Canadian Museum of Nature is committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, please advise the Human Resources Advisor in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

For more information regarding the position, please contact: Rob Blades, Digital Collections Information Manager ([e-mail])