The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) is Australia’s audiovisual archive, telling the national story by collecting, preserving and sharing audiovisual media, the cultural experience platforms of our time. The collection itself dates back to 1935, making it one of the world’s oldest audiovisual collections. It is also one of the country’s most used cultural collections, with around 125 million views of collection content each year. The NFSA is in a period of significant change. Following increased Government investment, the institution is in a process of digital transformation, establishing the NFSA as Australia’s most dynamic and valued cultural organisation. We are rebuilding our curatorial workforce and developing the NFSA’s capacity to digitise our collection at scale – to preserve it for the future, to make sure it can be discovered, and to share it with all Australians.
We continue to work on developing a stable, secure and future-proof workforce across our four physical sites based in Canberra and Mitchell in the ACT as well as in Sydney and Melbourne.
We are also undergoing a program of business improvement for many of our corporate systems to improve efficiency and reduce manual handling.
We are an ambitious organisation, and we aim to be an employer of choice within the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector, providing exciting and challenging work, as well as favourable employment conditions and unique development opportunities for our staff.
About the Team
The Audio Services Team sits in the Collection Digitisation section of the Collection Preservation Branch. The team is responsible for the preservation and digitisation of historical analogue Audio-Visual Material.
The Opportunity
As the Audio Services Team Lead, a proven track record in leading and managing the operational resources and facilities within an audio production and digital preservation environment is required.
The role will ensure production and digital preservation services are delivered in line with collection preservation priorities and best archival practice. A strong customer focussed approach and commitment to achieving targets within existing resources in a deadline driven environment is required.
A clear understanding of the directions that the audio and digital post-production industries are taking, and equally have expertise in, and respect for historic and obsolete audiovisual technologies of the past is necessary.
Job Description
Under general direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:
Manage the operational resources of the Audio Services team in achieving the identified outcomes.
Develop, test, improve and maintain audio digitisation and preservation workflow efficiencies and actively contribute towards targeted results ensuring they are in line with collection preservation priorities and archival standards/best practices.
Provide expertise and advice in audio preservation and production delivery to key internal and external stakeholders and proactively contribute to high profile NFSA projects.
Commitment to the development and implementation of digitisation plans, protocols and platforms for the NFSA, maintaining relationships with service providers.
Lead a high performing professional workforce that is outward looking and that actively opens up networks across the organisation and beyond.
Provide input for reporting and planning purposes that meets information requirements in a timely manner.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:
Proven leadership and management abilities in a technical and/or cultural environment, with a strong customer focused approach and ability to meet deadlines.
Demonstrated experience and expertise in the handling and conservation of historical and obsolete audio recordings, playback procedures, production techniques, formats and equipment of all eras.
Demonstrated experience and expertise in audio postproduction techniques and digital preservation requirements appropriate for historical recordings.
Well-developed written and oral communication skills including the ability to present technical knowledge to a variety of audiences and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
Desired Skills and Experience
Relevant tertiary degree or technical qualifications and/or the equivalent experience in an industry, technical and/or cultural environment.
How to Apply
When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please address the details in the ‘Key Responsibilities’ and ‘Selection Criteria’ by outlining in 1,000 words or less, how your skills and relevant experience demonstrate that you would be our ideal candidate. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.
In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.
We welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ communities, from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this position you must:
Be an Australian Citizen.
Satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check.
What we offer you
We provide a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment with access to:
Great training and development opportunities.
Generous leave and flexible working arrangements.
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP – a free counselling service for you and your family).
A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation.
Rewards and recognition initiatives.
Cultural Values
We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At the NFSA we prioritise the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for these principles in theory and practice.
RecuitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: RecruitAbility | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)
Contact Officer
Danny Roberts | Audio Services Technical Lead
E: Danny.roberts@nfsa.gov.au
Ph: 02 6248 2230
