Audiovisual and Oral History Technician

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Audiovisual and Oral History Technician at University of Georgia Libraries supports the preservation, access, and description of audiovisual materials across the archive's collections, with a particular focus on oral history. This role combines responsibilities in collection coordination, digitization, post-production, archival processing, and backlog reduction.

The technician will manage workflows related to the physical, digital, and intellectual control of audiovisual collections and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate to manage oral history collections' access and control.
• Coordinate editing and accessioning of interviews with donors/interviewers.
• Perform post-production editing of oral history recordings.
• Manage video captioning and transcripts.
• Create finding aids and inventories using Collective Access and other platforms.
• Curate collections for online access by managing streaming content on archival and commercial sites.
• Develop an understanding of the interview process to provide context for processing.

Skills

Digitization standards

Oral history

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

FFmpeg

Microsoft Office

Google Drive

OpenRefine

Airtable

Job description

Audiovisual and Oral History Technician

Posting Details

Department: Libraries-Brown Media

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

The UGA Libraries advance the University of Georgia's mission by providing the best possible access to recorded knowledge, actively contributing to the success of students and faculty through teaching and research services provided in physical and virtual environments, exemplifying the University's strategic priority to serve the people of Georgia and beyond, and upholding the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion. A member of the Association of Research Libraries with 75 faculty librarians and archivists, 150 staff and nearly 200 student workers, the UGA Libraries receive more than three million visits per year on average and provide services at nine locations across the Athens campus, among them the Main Library, Miller Learning Center, McBay Science Library, Special Collections Libraries and Music, Art and Education branch libraries. The UGA Libraries offer nationally distinctive special collections related to Georgia's history, politics, and public policy, and preserves one of the foremost media collections in public broadcasting. The UGA Libraries provide IT support for Georgia Library Learning Online (GALILEO), Georgia's statewide virtual library initiative, and is home to the UGA Press and Georgia Review literary journal. Please visit libs.uga.edufor more information.

College/Unit/Department website: libs.uga.edu

Additional Schedule Information: M-F; 8 hrs/day

Advertised Salary: $35,031-$45,540 commensurate with experience.

Location: Athens Area

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Retirement Plan: TRS

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Employment Type: Employee

Contract type and working hours: Full Time

Position Information

Classification Title: Audio Visual Technician I

FLSA: Non-Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications:

Position Summary: The Audiovisual and Oral History Technician supports the preservation, access, and description of audiovisual materials across the archive's collections, with a particular focus on oral history. This position combines responsibilities in collection coordination, digitization, post-production, archival processing, and backlog reduction. The technician will manage workflows related to the physical, digital, and intellectual control of audiovisual collections and collaborate with colleagues to ensure best practices in digital preservation and public access.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies: The University of Georgia Libraries wish to emphasize that we are committed to helping our future colleagues successfully develop knowledge, skills and abilities. Applicants are encouraged to communicate the ways in which their work meets required or preferred qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

• Interest in digitization standards and best practices for archival audio and video formats
• Familiarity with oral history recordings and transcription
• Familiarity with software applications that include, but are not limited to: FFmpeg, Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, OpenRefine, and Airtable.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Effective verbal and written skills
• Ability to work successfully in a detail-oriented production environment

Physical Demands: Typical for office environment

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)?: Yes

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Supports the preservation and access of Oral History Collections by:
  • Collaborating with the Oral History Coordinator to manage physical, digital, and intellectual control of oral history collections.
  • Corresponding with donors and interviewers to coordinate editing of interviews, and accessioning, if necessary.
  • Performing post-production editing on oral history recordings, as needed.
  • Managing video captioning and transcript creation workflows.
  • Creating finding aids, inventories, and other descriptive tools using Collective Access and other platforms.
  • Curating collections for online access by managing streaming content on archival and commercial sites.
  • Developing an understanding of the interview process, whether in collaboration with Oral History Coordinator, or other training, to provide context for processing.
• Processes digitization requests and fulfills Media Orders by:
  • Performing digitization of archival audio, video, and film formats following best practices and archival standards.
  • Monitoring queue of Media Orders and Preservation Requests and prioritizing requests
  • Meeting deadlines established by Media Orders queue
  • Re-encoding files to targeted delivery formats and specifications
  • Sharing files via cloud-based storage or physical drives and by uploading access copies to BMA website
  • Communicating with outside researchers and colleagues in a timely and professional manner, including seeking additional information when necessary
• Supervises a student worker to assist with audiovisual and oral history related tasks
• Participates in and contributes to the effective and on-going functioning of the department by:
  • Communicating with libraries colleagues to clarify requests as needed
  • Updating documentation relevant to the responsibilities of the position
  • Providing excellent customer service to outside researchers
  • Responding to and resolving issues with digital files in a timely and effective manner
• Participates in professional development and training internal and external to the department to gain knowledge and skills related to audiovisual digitization and preservation.
• Maintains flexibility and awareness of changes and needs in the office and organization by assuming similar duties and responsibilities as assigned