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 Collection Management Team comprises three sub-teams: Collection Security, Collection Services and Collection Management Project Team:
The Collection Management Project Team seeks to achieve storage efficiencies through accessioning activities and relocation moves. The work supports future collection management growth and digitisation outcomes for the NFSA.
Collection Security drives collection audit activities including the annual stocktaking program, shelf checks and overdue loans. In addition to these tasks, Collection Security also manages the NFSA storage infrastructure, the Archival Packaging program and provides support for external contractors.
Collection Services undertake the safe, secure and timely movement of Collection from collection storage to various workgroups across the NFSA. In addition to this work, staff within this team also participate in collection relocations and analogue accessioning.
The Opportunity
The Collection Management Project Officers will be highly motivated and experienced with a functional depth of audiovisual format knowledge and associated storage requirements to contribute to the Collection Management Team.
Collection Management Project Officers play a key role in supporting core tasks and projects. Within these roles, the Project Officers will be required to undertake accessioning and various logistical tasks including despatch, retrievals, deliveries and returns. In addition, Collection Management Project Officers undertake stocktaking, shelf checks and contractor management. Collection Management Project Officers should be able to provide written reports and statistics on such work when requested.
Effective time management partnered with strong communication skills, drive, and a flexible approach to working in a dynamic and challenging environment are key attributes to achieving the expected outcomes of this exciting role.
Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill two vacancies. The positions on offer are ongoing and non-ongoing (for 12-months with the possibility of an extension). A merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18-months.
Job Description
Under general direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:
Assist with retrievals and associated Collection Management activities including despatch of collection items for external loans, and when required, assist with collection relocations.
Assist and support various Collection Management Projects including Audiovisual Australia, Collection Relocation Masterplan, Integrated Pest Management, andprogressing the NFSA’s analogue acquisition backlog.
Examine and prepare collection material for long term storage, update/create accession records using the Collection Management database.
Administer the delivery of the NFSA’s Archival Packaging program including sourcing, supply and stocktaking of archival packaging materials.
Provide on-site support for the NFSA’s Property & Security team.
The safe loading and transportation of collection items, in a variety of commercial vehicle types.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:
Demonstrated knowledge of the handling and management of collection materials in an archive, museum or gallery environment, and experience in accurate record keeping including the use of Collection Management databases.
Experience in coordinating, prioritising and undertaking tasks which require a high level of accuracy, problem solving and time management.
Ability to contribute to strategic planning including identifying risks, finding efficiencies and improving business processes.
Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to prepare clear and accurate reports, communicate this information, and liaise and negotiate effectively with stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to apply practices and principles of Workplace Health and Safety and Workplace Diversity and operate in a participative and consultative work environment.
Desired Skills and Experience
Experience working with collections in the gallery, museum, library, or archive sector.
Relevant qualifications in cultural heritage management and/or collection management.
Note:
A current “C” class driver’s licence is required for this role.
A current forklift licence is desirable.
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 500 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 (https://apsc.gov.au)
Contact Officer
Stewart Shannon | Team Leader, Collection Management Project Team
E: Stewart.Shannon@nfsa.gov.au
Ph: 02 6248 2017
