Digital Collections Specialist

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryM&P - AAPSJob ProfileAAPS Salaried - Museum, Level AJob TitleDigital Collections SpecialistDepartmentCollections | Indian Residential School History and Dialogue CentreCompensation Range$5, $7,485.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End DateJune 18, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Digital Collections Specialist is an information and records professional with training and experience in library, archives or museum disciplines. This position works within the collections and digital systems team, and closely with researchers, curators and education staff. This position responds to collections inquiries and works with colleagues and communities to implement relevant policies relating to the collections. The position participates in the storage, care, documentation, accessibility of the collections. This position contributes to the design, development and implementation of the digital and interactive systems and infrastructure. This position participates in the creation of digital content.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Collections Manager or designate. Works closely and in collaboration with the collections team, advisors, and related research and archives staff at other institutions (e.g., LAC, RBCM, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, etc.)

Work Performed

• Contributes to the development and implementation of the policies and procedures for managing and making accessible the Centre's collections.
• Carries out collections management processes, including accessioning, cataloguing, digitization, and reference.
• Maintains collections storage and related access systems.
• Participates in the design, development and implementation of the Centre's digital and interactive information and records systems.
• Maintaining the required protocols in the storage, access and use of the Centre's collections. Writing explanatory text to support the display of materials from the collection.
• Participates in the ongoing research and analysis of records and information for inclusion in the IRSHDC systems.
• Liaises with content owners and archives to facilitate access to and use of holdings in conjunction with the collections and reference staff, informs shape and scope of digital collections systems and exhibitions.
• Prepares analytical reports on collections and user metrics, identifying gaps and needs.
• Works collaboratively with the IRSHDC collections and development teams on the ongoing design and development of the digital collections infrastructure.
• Contributes to the ongoing development of the IRSHDC exhibitions, interactive systems and public programming.
• Coordinates systems testing and user engagement and synthesizes outputs and data. Contributes to project planning, execution and reporting.
• Write reports, presents research results at meetings and assisting with the writing of grant applications.
• Develops research and user guides.
• Liaises with IRS Survivors, communities, stakeholders, staff and the general public.
• Liaises with potential contributors to the IRSHDC digital collections and helps identify digitization candidates.
• Participates in work associated with the application of IRSHDC metadata to develop appropriate representation content and scholarship.
• Conversant with Indigenous intellectual property concerns and the development of Indigenous ethics as applied to the development of Indigenous related digital collections.
• Serves on committees where appropriate.
• Carries out other assignments as determined by the Collections Manager.
• May represent IRSHDC at wider community events.
• Performs other related duties as required

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​Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Digital Collections Specialist will exercise initiative, sound judgment, and tact in working with faculty, staff and with contacts at other institutions. Good judgment in the assessment of materials is imperative, as is attention to detail and organization. Errors, poor judgment, and inappropriate decisions can impede the work of the IRSHDC and result in missed opportunities and, ultimately, ineffective or inadequate displays of public information, or in compromised relations with critical contacts at other institutions. Misidentification of usage rights on materials may create legal exposure for the Centre and university.

Supervision Received

Works independently under the direction of the Collections Manager or designate.

Supervision Given

May oversee and direct the work of work-learn students, contractors and/or technicians.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• ​University degree in a relevant field (Indigenous studies, history with an Indigenous concentration, etc.). Graduate degree in Archival Studies (MAS) preferred.
• Relevant previous employment or practicum experience is required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication; attention to detail; database management and data entry; knowledge the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
• Ability to accurately create and maintain records.
• Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to gather, record, and organize information.
• Ability to locate required information using a variety of methods (e.g., online information sources, manuals, expert sources).
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing).
• Knowledge of the Indian residential school history and historical context.
• Demonstrated experience in working with Indigenous organizations is required.
• Experience with archival research and data organization required; curatorial experience an asset.
• Computer competence in document preparation, database use, and organization of storage and database design experience required.
• Experience in working with multimedia resources required.
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills required. Excellent oral and presentation skills desirable.
• Ability to build effective relationships when working with other staff, both locally and at related institutions required.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment required. Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines required.
• Experience engaging with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples and communities, demonstrated Indigenous cultural competency including knowledge of Indian Residential School system, and prior work with Survivors of schools and their families, is preferred. If candidate does not have adequate experience and cultural competency with Indigenous peoples, professional development requirements to achieve proven competency may be a requirement during the probationary period.

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