Multnomah County Records & Archives actively promotes the role of records in advancing equity through both internal services to all County departments and direct service to the public. We lead, support and champion County-wide strategic initiatives that use records to minimize risk, protect rights, and aid in equitable decision-making. We provide services, tools, training, and consultation to the County in order to support compliant creation, management, storage, retrieval, accessibility, protection, preservation, and secure destruction of public records using professional standards and practices. Our Archives make accessible 170+ years of government history both internally and externally to help people understand governmental decision-making that impacts their lives. For more information on our Records & Archives Program, check out our website.
We are seeking a Digital Archivist with a dual focus on access and preservation to develop and implement policies and procedures for managing born-digital and digitized archival records. Do you want a career that combines history and research with technology? Do you possess skills in archival science, outreach, and digital preservation? Do you work collaboratively within a small team, and understand how to facilitate research for internal and external customers? If so, we have the role for you!
As the Digital Archivist in Records & Archives you will:
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Administer and maintain the County’s digital preservation system (Preservica), including soliciting feedback from users; designing, configuring, testing, and documenting new features and workflows; providing support to Records & Archives staff on system use; troubleshooting system issues with the product supplier; and managing the integration with the archival information system (ArchivesSpace).
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Manage the lifecycle of archival born-digital and digitized records by developing, documenting, and implementing digital archiving workflows and procedures to best support the Archives’ current and future collecting and access initiatives.
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Collaborate with IT professionals to develop processes and arrange transfer of enduring records with permanent retention from Google Vault, SMARSH, etc. where they may be stored while in active use.
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Define preservation and access package structures and file migration pathways for priority format types; proactively monitoring, migrating, and/or emulating at-risk formats.
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Collaborate with the other Archivist on in-house digitization of diverse collection materials and formats from the Archives. In collaboration with the Electronic Records Analyst, facilitate digitization projects for County customers.
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Manage contracts with external digitization suppliers for archival and non-archival digitization.
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Regularly assess practices and recommend modifications to automate in order to make processes more efficient. Monitor changing standards and practices for digital archives; explore and propose new technologies to meet evolving archival needs.
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Provide subject matter expertise and consultation to County departments and elected officials regarding digital archival records including, but not limited to, preservation formats, metadata, records transfer, and imaging best practices.
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Maintain statistics and prepare annual reports; use data to inform Digital Archives planning and process improvement and in support of annual budgeting and program offer processes.
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In collaboration with the team, develop acquisition and preservation annual priorities, projects, and initiatives to support Records & Archives’ strategic plans. Lead and/or participate in strategic projects in support of organizational and programmatic goals.
You would do great in this role if you have the following competencies and skills:
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Project management;
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Values team collaboration;
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A “Think Yes” customer service attitude which means making connections, having conversations, and providing options to customers and stakeholders;
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Commitment to promoting equity and inclusion and to understanding and promoting the role of archives in dismantling systems of oppression;
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Ability to translate complex or technical concepts into plain language for diverse audiences; and
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Comfortable with archives technology and learning and adoption of new technology.
To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:
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Minimum of three (3) years of industry-related experience including digital archives, digital libraries, digital preservation, and/or electronic records management experience, that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
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A bachelor's degree (in lieu of a degree, we will consider equivalent years (7 to 10 years) of qualifying training and/or experience).
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Advanced skill in electronic records processing and digital preservation concepts (including characterization, fixity, format migration, PRONOM, etc.), laws, regulations, policies, and technology sufficient to ensure that digitized and born-digital objects can be managed and preserved for long-term access.
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Advanced skill working with digital preservation systems and archival information management systems including advanced knowledge of key operations for born-digital archives, including appraisal and selection; accessioning; digital preservation standards, strategies and techniques; and access.
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Working knowledge of standards, best practices, and principles in the fields of digital technologies, digital asset management, digital curation, digital forensics, metadata standards, information architecture, as well as the ability and desire to continue cultivating expertise in these areas.
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Working knowledge of relevant standards for archival description and preservation, e.g. DACS, PREMIS, and basic knowledge of other metadata standards.
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Advanced ability to develop written project documentation, processes, procedures, reports, and to communicate sophisticated concepts to non-archival staff.
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Should a job offer be extended: the ability to pass the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) authorization through a records check which includes being fingerprinted.
Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.
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Masters Degree in Archives and Records Administration or Library and Information Science.
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Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) certification.
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Advanced experience using Preservica or other digital preservation systems and ArchivesSpace or other archival information systems.
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Knowledge of Python programming language.
Screening and Evaluation
The Application Packet:
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A completed online application.
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A resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and the number of employees under your supervision.
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A cover letter detailing how your experience and training qualifies you for this role, addresses why you are interested in this position, and demonstrates how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.
Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to those shown in the Overview, Essential Job Duties and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored to determine your eligibility for an interview.
The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:
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Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.
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Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include a scored panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
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Reference check: All finalists must pass a thorough reference check.
Additional Information:
This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.
Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime pay.
Location: 1620 SE 190th Ave, Portland, OR 97233
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position is currently eligible for “routine telework,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home) or a hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the County cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. There is some flexibility with the start and end times and a possibility of a 9/80 work schedule.
Our Commitment to Safety, Trust and Belonging
Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees.
Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.
Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.