Digital Initiatives Coordinator

South Dakota State University; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Relocation benefits

Job summary

South Dakota State University’s Hilton M. Briggs Library seeks a Digital Initiatives Coordinator to lead digitization, digital preservation, and records management for Archives and Special Collections in Brookings, SD.

This 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position may require some evenings and weekends. You will oversee digitization projects, support discovery, and provide reference services while collaborating with staff, scholars, and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree completed by date of application.
• At least one year of related experience in archives or cultural heritage settings.
• Knowledge of Dublin Core and metadata standards.
• Experience with digital file management in multiple formats.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and work in dusty environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for development, growth, preservation, and security of digital collections.
• Oversee digitization projects and records management to support faculty and researchers.
• Provide reference services for Archives and Special Collections.
• Collaborate with SDSU Library staff and external partners.
• Explore emerging practices to enhance discovery and preservation of digital materials.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Independent work

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

ALA-accredited Master’s in Library/Info Science (preferred)

Tools

ArchivesSpace

CONTENTdm

Omeka

XML

Python

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Details

Institution

South Dakota State University

Working Title

Digital Initiatives Coordinator

Posting Number

NFE03197P

Department

SDSU-Library

Physical Location of Position (City)

Brookings

Posting Text

The Digital Initiatives Coordinator plays a key role in expanding access to unique materials in the SDSU Archives and SpecialCollections. This role oversees digitization projects and digital preservation activities and supports records management initiatives. The coordinator will also have opportunities to explore emerging practices that enhance discovery, preservation, and use of digital collections. This position is located in Brookings ,South Dakota. This position is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position. Occasional nights and weekends may be required.

As part of the Hilton M. Briggs Library, the SDSU Archives and Special Collections preserves and provides access to more than 11,000 linear feet of archival collections and rare books that document the history, culture, and life of the university and region. Through its collections and services, the archives fosters research, learning, and connections with the university and broader community.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Digital Initiatives Coordinator provides leadership for the development, growth, preservation, and security of the Hilton M. Briggs Library digital collections and records management to support the South Dakota State University community, scholars, and researchers. The coordinator also provides reference services for Archives and Special Collections.

BENEFITS

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree completed by date of application;
• At least one year of related experience working in archives or other cultural heritage settings;
• Knowledge of current trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital library initiatives, archives, and special collections;
• Knowledge of current metadata schemas and standards, such as Dublin Core, and digital content management systems;
• Knowledge of current digital preservation practices, workflows, and tools;
• Experience with digital file management in multiple formats;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
• Previous customer service experience; and
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, climb ladders, reach overhead,bend, push fully-loaded carts of books and boxes weighing over 100 pounds, and work in an environment with dust and mold.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ALA -accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science with a concentration in archival studies;
• Academic library employment;
• Supervision experience;
• Experience processing archival collections following archival standards and best practices;
• Experience with the creation and management of digitization and metadata projects following best practices and standards;
• Experience with archival management systems, such as Access to Memory, ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, and Omeka;
• Experience coding in XML, Python, or other scripting languages;
• Experience with website management systems;
• Experience with audiovisual analog-to-digital conversion; and
• Experience with digital archives management and preservation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact Michele Christian, [e-mail].

Posting Date

09/11/2026

Closing Date

10/02/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Advertised Salary

The salary range for the Digital Initiatives Coordinator is commensurate with qualifications, minimum of $47,000.

Duration of the Term

12 months

Appointment Percent

100

Work Hours

Typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. although some evenings and weekends may arise. Some travel may also be assigned.

Appointment Type

Regular

Faculty Status

No

Scope of Search

External (includes Internal)

This position requires

Travel, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Driver's License

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Analyzing, Comprehend, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-average, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Physical Requirements

Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Crouching, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting light, Lifting moderate, Lifting heavy, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Squatting, Stretching, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating), Climbing Ladders

Sensory Requirements

Color Vision, Depth Perception, Hearing, Near Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Exposure to Dust, Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete, Work in narrow aisles/passageways, Work Overhead

Work includes library stacks and storage areas.

Exposure to mold.

Working Environment

Office Environment, Other Environment (Please explain below)

Library and archival storage

Supplemental Questions

1. * Where did you hear about this position?
   • LinkedIn
   • SDBOR Employment Site
   • South Dakota Department of Labor
   • Employee Referral
   • Department Announcement / Inside State
   • Handshake
   • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
   • Industry Conference
   • Search Engine - Please specify
   • Employment Agency - Please specify
   • Newspaper - Please specify
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
   • Radio - Please specify
   • APLU
   • List Servs - Please specify
   • Alumni
   • Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Reference List

Optional Documents