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. 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 Digitisation Section is a part of Collection Preservation Branch. They are responsible for the digital preservation of historical film, video, audio, documents and artefacts held within the national collection.
The Opportunity
The Digitisation Officer undertakes digitisation activities assisting in the preservation and accessibility of the national audio-visual collection.
This role requires an interest in or experience working in an Audiovisual or Archive environment as well as having proven client service skills and enjoying working in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.
Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is non-ongoing for 6-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 supervision, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:
Operate a range of audiovisual equipment, both obsolete and contemporary, and perform routine tasks and operation of ancillary equipment, including film and tape cleaners.
Perform routine digitisation tasks using a range of capture/playback equipment and postproduction software.
Use digital file-based systems and manage the files through a media asset management system, with a focus on quality assurance to ensure the highest achievable quality digital media is preserved into the collection.
Ensure the safe handling and management of fragile and unique collection material, and assist in establishing and improving processes and standards, in both the analogue and digital workflows.
Perform general administrative duties which include maintaining media data records, entering quality assurance information and providing input to assist with continued development and improvement of reporting and operational procedures.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:
Knowledge of conservation, fragile and deteriorated collection items or audiovisual content, equipment and digital workflow procedures.
Knowledge of digital preservation processes including a solutions-based approach to troubleshooting.
Proven ability to work both individually and in a team within a fast-paced environment,and an ability to prioritise and organise workflows with completing deadlines.
Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
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 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)
