Film Archiving Technician

Library Systems & Services, LLC.; Virginia, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

LAC Federal is seeking part-time and full-time Film Archiving Technicians to support a large-scale motion picture archival processing and preservation initiative.

Technicians will work with the Film Archivist to process, identify, document, rehouse, and inventory historic motion picture materials, following established archival handling, preservation, metadata, and descriptive standards. Applicants should have at least two years of archives experience and the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

Qualifications

• Certification or degree in archival studies preferred.
• Two years of archives experience.
• Experience handling motion picture film.
• Knowledge of 16mm and/or 35mm film.

Responsibilities

• Inspect film cans and elements physically.
• Identify titles, reel numbers, episodes, and fieldwork names.
• Use a film bench to inspect unidentified items.
• Capture metadata in inventory systems.
• Assess and document physical condition.
• Rehouse materials in archival cans.
• Apply barcodes and record numbers.
• Label and organize processed materials.
• Maintain inventories and intellectual control.
• Follow LOC handling and preservation standards.
• Participate in weekly project meetings.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Metadata entry

Education

MLIS or archival certification preferred

Tools

Film handling equipment

Job description

Description

LAC Federal is seeking Part-time and Full-time Film Archiving Technicians to support a large-scale motion picture archival processing and preservation initiative.

The Film Archiving Technician will work collaboratively with the Film Archivist and project team to physically process, identify, document, rehouse, and inventory historic motion picture materials while following established archival handling, preservation, metadata, and descriptive standards.

Responsibilities

• Physically inspect individual film cans and film elements.
• Identify titles, reel numbers, episodes, fieldwork names, and other available identifying information.
• Identify different film elements, including negatives, answer prints, release prints, workprints, soundtracks, outtakes, trims, and related materials.
• Use a film bench to inspect materials when identifying information is missing or illegible.
• Capture available metadata for each film can using Library-provided inventory spreadsheets and systems.
• Assess and document physical condition.
• Identify potential vinegar syndrome, shrinkage, deterioration, and other preservation concerns.
• Perform basic preservation stabilization and triage.
• Remove materials from inappropriate or deteriorated housing and rehouse them in archival-quality film cans.
• Apply Library-provided barcodes and record barcode numbers accurately in the corresponding inventory.
• Label and organize processed materials.
• Maintain accurate inventories and intellectual control over materials being processed.
• Place completed and inventoried film on designated shelving for subsequent transfer by Library personnel to permanent film-vault storage.
• Follow Library of Congress handling, preservation, metadata, and descriptive standards.
• Maintain accurate production statistics and provide information needed for project reporting and quality control.
• Participate in weekly project meetings and required training.
• Report unusual, unstable, unidentified, or problematic materials to the Film Archivist and appropriate Library personnel.
• Technicians may require use of film benches, video playback equipment, label printers, staging space and shelving.

Requirements

• Certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists, an ALA-accredited MLIS, or an archival certification program following Society of American Archivists guidelines is preferred
• Familiarity with preservation standards for different material types.
• Two years of experience in archives or in the particular subject matter of the archive.
• Demonstrated experience or expertise handling, inspecting, and identifying motion picture film.
• Knowledge of 16mm and/or 35mm film and common motion picture film elements.
• Ability to distinguish among negatives, prints, workprints, optical/magnetic soundtracks, and other production elements.
• Understanding of basic archival principles and practices.
• Ability to perform detailed inspection and metadata/data-entry work accurately.
• Ability to recognize potential preservation issues and perform basic rehousing and preservation activities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with archivists, preservation specialists, catalogers, technicians, and Library personnel.
• At least six months of experience working in a library or archives environment performing similar duties.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference given to candidates possessing a certificate or degree in Film Preservation, Moving Image Preservation, archival studies, or a closely related specialized program, or candidates with substantial experience working with motion picture collections in a film archive, library, museum, or archival institution.
• Experience working with ethnographic, educational, sponsored-film, and non-standard collections is particularly desirable.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, and safely handle film cans and archival materials weighing up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods while processing archival materials and working at film benches or designated workstations.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements necessary to retrieve, handle, rehouse, label, organize, and shelve film materials.

Benefits

Benefits vary based on scheduled hours and eligibility.

• Part-Time (20–29 hours/week): 401(k), tuition reimbursement, EAP, employee discounts and recognition programs, paid sick and vacation leave, and holiday pay.
• 30+ hours/week: Includes the benefits above, plus medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and applicable company policies.

EEO Statement

The company and its subsidiaries are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring/hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.

Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.