$15.00/hour - temporary

The Oregon Historical Society is currently accepting applications for a Digital Collections Assistant.  This is a good opportunity for a current or prospective archives student to gain experience and understanding of digitization and metadata creation processes, while helping to support the OHS Digital Collections. 

The Digital Collections Assistant assists with digitization and metadata creation for the Oregon Historical Society's digital collections.

This position is non-exempt, part time, and temporary with a schedule of 10 hours per week through December 31, 2019. The position does not qualify for benefits.  The position does not provide relocation assistance. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Digitize a variety of library materials, including photographic and manuscript materials.
2. Create metadata for digitized materials in accordance with OHS library procedures and adopted standards.

JOB DUTIES

• Digitizes photographs, documents and other archival materials using digital imaging and editing software, including Silverfast and Photoshop.
• Creates original or copy metadata for archival materials.
• Rehouses archival materials.
• Reports progress and statistics to Digital Collections Manager on a monthly and as-needed basis.
• Maintains punctual, regular and predictable attendance.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with coworkers, visitors and volunteers and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associate degree (A.A.) or equivalent in history or related subject from a two-year college; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree in history or related subject strongly preferred. 

Required experience:

• Demonstrated experience using digital camera equipment, flatbed scanners, and associated software to digitize print and photographic materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of archival description and metadata standards.
• Tolerance for repetitive tasks. 

Preferred experience:

• Familiarity with professional archival and special collections library procedures, including collections handling, preservation, and security.
• Experience with processing, describing, digitizing, and preserving visual and media archival collections.
• Knowledge of historical research methods, especially the use of archives.
• Knowledge of Oregon, Pacific Northwest or U.S. history is preferred.
• Knowledge of the Oregon Historical Society Library's collections and procedures.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and technical procedures. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees or organization. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

COMPUTER SKILLS

Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including database, spreadsheet, graphics, word processing, presentation creation/editing, communicate by email and use scheduling software.  Knowledge of digital imaging and photo editing software such as Silverfast and Photoshop preferred.  Familiarity with archival description and content management systems preferred.  Proficiency with using online searching techniques, and with resources such as with search engines, WorldCat, Library of Congress Authorities, and archival finding aids required. 

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.  Ability to describe and interpret visual materials. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Acceptable documents to establish identity and employment authorization and the ability to pass a background check. Valid driver license. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  Able to exercise care and handling of fragile and/or large objects. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles such as dust.  The position occasionally requires the employee to work near moving mechanical parts. 

This position will work as needed between the OHS facility in downtown Portland and the Gresham Support Facility (GSF) as assigned. 

May be required to work in a confined space shared with other workers and/or volunteers. May be required to work alone in a large warehouse space.