Audio Digitization and Metadata Specialist

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

401(k) with match

Employee Assistance Program

Free parking

Staff discounts

Job summary

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum seeks an Audio Digitization and Metadata Specialist to organize, digitize, and describe its collection of over 300,000 sound recordings. This full-time role reports to the Director of Library and Archival Collections in Museum Services.

Responsibilities include digitizing grooved discs and magnetic tape, producing metadata, re-housing, and contributing to exhibitions, education programs, and digital platforms with attention to standards and best

Qualifications

• Degree in Library/Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, or Audio Engineering.
• One year of professional experience with recorded sound collections in a museum, library, archive, or production/research capacity.
• Knowledge of digitization standards and best practices for recorded sound collections.
• Knowledge of current and historic recorded sound processes, signs of deterioration, and their preservation requirements.
• Experience with industry-standard digital asset management systems and metadata standards.
• Experience with recorded sound digitization hardware and editing software.
• Proficiency with personal computers (including Mac) and software.
• Familiarity with the history of country music and key figures.

Responsibilities

• Digitize recorded sound formats for the online archive per institutional priorities.
• Create accurate descriptive metadata for records in the online archive.
• Arrange, rehouse, and describe physical recorded sound formats.
• Maintain professional standards for collection processing, storage, handling, and use.
• Research, curate, and edit recorded sound content for exhibitions, education programs, social media, and website.
• Perform general maintenance and alignment of audio equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Audio digitization

Metadata standards

Mac & PC proficiency

Descriptive metadata creation

Research & curation

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Library/Archival/Museum Studies or related

Tools

Digitization hardware

Audio editing software

DAM systems

Job description

Audio Digitization and Metadata Specialist

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has an opening in the Museum Services department for a full-time, exempt audio digitization and metadata specialist to digitize, describe, and manage access to the museum’s recorded sound collection.
Company Overview: Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission, and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that documents and interprets the history of country music. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

First opened in 1967 on Nashville’s Music Row, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched its current downtown location in 2001. In 2014, the Museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its footprint. The Museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded. In addition, the Museum offers the Taylor Swift Education Center for students, teachers, and families, and dedicated performance spaces in the CMA Theater and Ford Theater, both of which regularly host nationally recognized live music and cultural events.

In 2024, the Museum was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden. The medal is the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government. The White House Citation, which accompanied the medal, recognized the Museum’s work, which “preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.”

Job Responsibilities

Position Overview :Reporting to the Director of Library and Archival Collections, the audio digitization and metadata specialist organizes, digitizes, and describes content from the museum’s collection of over 300,000 sound recordings.

Specific Duties Include:

• Digitize recorded sound formats (primarily grooved discs and magnetic tape) for the online digital archive based on institutional priorities
• Create accurate descriptive metadata for records in the online digital archive
• Arrange, rehouse, and describe various physical recorded sound formats
• Maintain professional standards and best practices for collection processing, storage, handling, and use
• Research, curate, and edit recorded sound content for the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, social media, and website
• Perform general maintenance and alignment of audio equipment
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant field (Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, Audio Engineering)
• One year of professional experience working with recorded sound collections in a museum, library, archive, or in a production/research capacity
• Knowledge of digitization standards and best practices for recorded sound collections
• Knowledge of current and historic recorded sound processes, signs of deterioration, and their individual preservation requirements
• Experience with industry-standard digital asset managementsystems and metadata standards
• Experience with recorded sound digitization hardware
• Experience with recorded sound editing software
• Proficiency and capabilities with personal computers (including Mac products) and software
• Familiarity with the history of country music and key figures within the genre

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly use of archival collections and of current developments in the field
• Strong working knowledge of country music and its ever-evolving history
• Experience providing recorded sound content for museum exhibitions
• Knowledge of copyright laws pertaining to recorded sound content

Key Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Ability to work collaboratively
• Knowledge of archival content, structure, and metadata standards
• Respect for country music as an art form and a commitment to continually expand knowledge of country music’s history
• Keen attention to detail and strong time management skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Additional Information

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (14) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more)
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors.

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-Verify processes, as required for position.