Digital Archivist

Department

Digital Management Services

Director, Digital Management Services

Full-time – Regular

Hourly (Non-exempt)

Los Angeles – Pickford

The Digital Archivist supports the DMS team in ensuring the proper preservation and accessibility of the Academy’s time‑based media assets. This role plays a key part in maintaining the integrity of these valuable assets by preserving and converting them into multiple formats for viewing and distribution. The position works collaboratively with various Academy teams and DMS staff to uphold archival standards and ensure long‑term access to the Academy’s digital collections.

• Support digital preservation and access by processing time‑based media to DMS systems using established ingest workflows and in consultation with Academy and DMS teams.
• Facilitate access to digital collections by responding to access requests from Academy teams and creating mezzanines; identify and deliver media promptly and by deadline.
• Work with the DMS Director and liaise with Film Archive to identify and prioritize at‑risk media and coordinate digitization with internal teams and external vendors. Submit invoices to the Director, DMS, and CTO for processing and budget tracking.
• Maintain a steady and consistent flow of ingests by assisting in troubleshooting workflow issues in partnership with DMS staff and vendors.
• Promote user satisfaction by evaluating help desk tickets; interact with and respond to users to understand obstacles and technical issues, and work cooperatively toward resolutions.
• Collaborate with the DMS team on data governance and participate in system and process improvements while contributing to system documentation, including enhancing documentation of procedures and workflows.
• Improve the quality and effectiveness of DMS systems through testing and helping with staff training and support.
• Ensure department coverage by providing back‑up for Digital Archivists and other members of the DMS team.

• 2+ years of experience in web‑based database applications, including basic and advanced searching, and metadata creation in collection management and digital asset management systems.
• Understanding of a variety of digital file formats with a particular emphasis on digital video and audio, including video codecs and transcoding processes.
• Experience in web‑based database applications, including basic and advanced searching, and metadata creation in collection management and digital asset management systems.
• Highly organized to effectively perform varied duties, track multi‑stage ingest processes, and coordinate cross‑functional projects with tight deadlines and budget constraints.
• Collaborative and user‑focused approach to working with internal teams, including excellent written and verbal communication skills interacting with staff with varying technical skills.
• Creative approach to problem‑solving to improve processes and workflows, troubleshoot technical issues, and facilitate department goals.
• Strong interest in digital preservation, including digitization requirements, content auditing, fixity checks, and file format longevity.
• Background in cinema and filmmaking or film archives.

• An advanced degree in digital media, film production, or digital preservation preferred.
• Knowledge of a wide range of moving image and non‑moving image file formats, quality and file size specifications, and lossless and lossy compression schemes (.TIF, DCP, Pro Res).
• Meticulous attention to detail updating database records with thoroughness and accuracy, tracking ingest processes and coordinating digitization logistics.
• Writing skills to document workflows and create procedures and manuals that are clear and easy to understand for a variety of audiences.
• Awareness of technological advances in digital media, including new file formats, compression tools, and workflow solutions.
• Experience with Axiell Collections and/or Open Text Media Management.

Full vaccination against COVID‑19 is required, including any booster vaccinations as applicable.
Exception: …