Senior Library Assistant, Digital Services at The George Washington University

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

GW Libraries and Academic Innovation (LAI) plays a central role in the University’s teaching, learning, and research endeavors. Responsive to the changing landscape of information and education, being sensitive both to traditional and emergent modes of communication, we bring together diverse constituents of faculty, students, and staff in a highly collaborative, dynamic, and deeply engaged intellectual community. LAI strives to be a supportive environment where exciting things happen, where change happens, where growth happens. Reporting to the Digital Services Manager, the Senior Library Assistant works as part of the Digital Services unit of the Special Collections Research Center.

The Digital Services unit focuses on the development and implementation of ethical and sustainable digital collections. Digital Services staff support the accession, preservation, discovery, and use of digital collections. Under supervision, this library support position performs a variety of routine digital services duties to increase access to specialized collections materials for library patrons and other library departments. This position assists with reference by fulfilling routine image and reproduction requests; supports the broader digital strategy of the Division through high quality digitization, metadata creation, and uploading of collections materials to preservation storage and online public repositories; and assists with basic web archiving tasks.

The Senior Library Assistant, Digital Services will: 

• Execute digitization tasks and fulfill patron digitization requests, including tracking original materials, digitizing according to institutional specifications, time tracking, and delivering files.
• Prepare digital materials for upload to preservation storage and public repositories by generating access derivatives, creating accessibility-focused enhancements such as OCR text and closed captions, and writing descriptive metadata to enhance discoverability.
• Perform basic web archiving tasks, including initiating test crawls, performing first pass quality assurance, logging crawls, and creating descriptive metadata to enhance discoverability.
• Assist researchers by staffing the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) reference desk.

This position is based in the Foggy Bottom Campus in Washington, DC. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma/GED plus 1.5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience in a cultural heritage institution (e.g. library, archives, historical society, or museum) and/or relevant coursework.
• Interest in emerging technology trends related to digitization and/or digital preservation.
• Demonstrated ability to execute workflows and meet multiple deadlines and objectives in a fast paced environment.
• Comfort following best practices for rare materials handling including paper-based items, photographs, and audiovisual records.
• Proficiency with office productivity suites, with emphasis on spreadsheet programs. Interest in developing skills related to command line tools and basic scripting.
• Experience with the front-end and/or back-end of library systems (e.g. Alma/Primo, Voyager), archives databases (e.g. ArchivesSpace, Archivist Toolkit), and our other collection management systems.
• Familiarity with best practices for digital accessibility, data privacy, and ethical standards for libraries, archives, and museums.
• Superior attention to detail, problem solving skills, and customer service skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Hiring Range

$18.06 - $23.50

GW Staff Approach to Pay

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:

Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

University Libraries

Family

Libraries

Sub-Family

Library Services - Staff

Stream

Service and Support

Level

Level 2

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time

Hours Per Week:

40

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

Yes

Employee Onsite Status

Hybrid

Telework:

Yes

Required Background Check:

Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?

No

Posting Number:

S013345

Job Open Date:

10/02/2024

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening

Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.