Digitization Technician – Historical Document Preservation Detroit, MI

Ancestry; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Ancestry is seeking an Archival Digitization Technician to work onsite at our Detroit warehouse, handling high-volume media scanning and inventory tasks. You will barcode, track and log assets, operate fast scanners, and ensure accurate file naming and upload routines.

Daily duties include QA checks, precise documentation, and maintaining production logs across a 6-month contract, 40 hours per week, with standard weekday hours.

Qualifications

• Experience operating rolling/document scanners and logging inventory.
• Comfort with computer systems and high-volume scanning equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and reliable in repetitive tasks.

Responsibilities

• Inventory tracking and barcoding of archive assets.
• Operate high-speed rolling scanners at target throughput.
• Name files and match to barcode numbers.
• Quality assurance of scanned outputs.
• Upload batches to cloud servers and log daily production.

Skills

Scanner operation

Barcoding

Inventory logging

Data entry

Attention to detail

Tools

Barcode software

Inventory database

Cloud storage

Job description

About Ancestry

When you join Ancestry, you join a human-centered company where every person’s story is important. Ancestry®, the global leader in family history, connects everyone with their past so they can discover, preserve, and share their unique family stories. With our unparalleled collection of more than 65 billion records, over 3.5 million subscribers, and over 27 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Over the past 40 years, we’ve built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving, and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families.

We are committed to our location flexible work approach, allowing you to choose to work in the nearest office, from your home, or a hybrid of both (subject to location restrictions and roles that are required to be in the office- see the full list of eligible US locations HERE). We will continue to hire and promote beyond the boundaries of our office locations, to enable broadened possibilities for employee diversity.

Together, we work every day to foster a work environment that's inclusive as well as diverse, and where our people can be themselves. Every idea and perspective is valued so that our products and services reflect the global and diverse clients we serve.

Ancestry encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants. Passionate about dedicating your work to enriching people's lives? Join the curious.

Location: Detroit, MI (On-Site at Warehouse)

Pay Rate: $23.00 / hour

Employment Type: Full-Time, Temporary Contract (40 hours/week)

Schedule: Monday – Friday, Standard Business Hours

Target Duration: 6 months

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented, reliable Archival Digitization Technician to execute a high-volume media scanning and inventory project at our Detroit warehouse location. In this role, you will handle historical photographic assets, barcode and track archive collections, operate high-speed rolling/feeder scanners, and upload digital copies into our inventory system. This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in digital asset management, library science, archive maintenance, or logistics.

Key Responsibilities

• Inventory Tracking & Barcoding: Unpack photo collections, assign/affix barcode labels to archive folders and batches, and log incoming/outgoing assets into the inventory tracking database.
• Rolling Scanner Operation: Feed prepped physical media into high-speed rolling photo/document scanners, maintaining a target rate of ~1,000 images per hour.
• File Naming & Cataloging: Match scanned image files with corresponding barcode numbers and follow established folder directory naming conventions.
• Quality Assurance: Perform routine spot-checks on digital outputs to ensure scan alignment, resolution, and complete image capture.
• Digital Uploads & Reporting: Securely upload batches to designated cloud servers and maintain daily production/scanning logs.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Prior experience operating rolling/document scanners, barcoding, inventory logging, or data entry is preferred (entry-level candidates with high attention to detail are encouraged to apply).
• Technical Aptitude: Comfortable working with computer systems, database logging tools, and high-volume scanning equipment.
• Detail-Oriented & Efficient: Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain speed and accuracy during repetitive tasks.
• Physical Capability: Ability to safely move and handle photo archive boxes (up to 20–30 lbs) within the warehouse setting.
• Reliability: Excellent attendance and commitment to completing the full contract timeline.

Work Environment

• Working on-site directly within a designated workspace in our Detroit, MI warehouse facilities.
• Climate-controlled environment with high-speed rolling scanners and computer workstations fully provided.

Additional Information

Ancestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizenship, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. In addition, Ancestry will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

All job offers are contingent on a background check screen that complies with applicable law. For candidates who live in San Francisco, CA, pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ancestry will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Ancestry is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Ancestry via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Ancestry. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Ancestry as a result of the referral or through other means.