JOB OPENING ID-242115
JOB TITLE-Info Resources Technical Specialist
WORK LOCATION-Ann Arbor Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
Full-Time, Regular, FLSA STATUS- Nonexempt
ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP-College Of Lsa
DEPARTMENT-LSA Kelsey Museum of Arch
POSTING BEGIN/END DATE-11/14/2023 – 1/7/2024
SALARY-$48,000.00 – $60,000.00
How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume/curriculum vitae, together with the names and contact information for three references willing to write letters upon request. The cover letter should address reasons for your interest in this position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Who We Are
The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is a unit of the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). It serves as steward of a large collection of art and artifacts from the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, including one of the world’s great collections of excavated Graeco-Roman artifacts from Egypt, together with excavation records, maps, and archival photographs. The Kelsey sponsors ongoing fieldwork and research projects and a lively exhibition program geared both to the general public and to academic audiences. Activities also include an expansive program in public education and outreach, an innovative program of ongoing conservation research, an ever-increasing web presence, and a program of publications serving all facets of our endeavors. The Kelsey’s Director and curators hold academic teaching positions within disciplinary departments of the College. Research Scientists promote projects in the field and in the labs. Professional staff includes two conservators, a collections manager (registrar), a specialist in outreach K-12 teaching, an exhibition designer/preparator, an editor of publications and web sites, a graphic artist, security personnel, and a business office staff serving all these activities. See the Museum’s website for further information: www.lsa.umich.edu/kelsey .
Responsibilities*
The Manager of Digital Assets is primarily responsible for managing the Kelsey databases and other digital assets. In collaboration with the Collection Manager and with the UM Library Digital Content and Collections service, the successful candidate will work to improve the searchability and accessibility of the Kelsey information. The initial position focus will be to oversee the complete overhaul of the artifact database (Collective Access) including general data entry, integration of external specialist databases, and coordination with the UM Library on the management and distribution of the online database and digital archives. This may include liaising with external software and hardware vendors on maintenance, system upgrades, data migrations, and deployment of new features and other informatics and technology practitioners and groups across the museum, library, and LSA IT support units. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for database functionality, staff training, and other tasks to ensure technical and procedural protocols are efficient. An important future priority will be to redesign and improve the front-end interface of the database for users outside the museum. Additionally, this position supports the Collection Manager in overseeing the safe and secure storage and usage of the Museum’s collections and archives. It also manages the paper and photographic archive, with particular emphasis on digitizing and disseminating the Kelsey archival holdings. Interfaces with other archives and libraries on campus.
The position reports to the Associate Museum Director.
Summary of major duties:
50% Digital Assets management
Develop and implement a plan to overhaul the Kelsey artifact database
Work with Faculty Curators and Collections Manager to identify appropriate database structure and accurate object records;
- Integration and extension of specialist databases (eg coins)
- Integration and supervision of current and legacy excavation databases
General data entry, with the help of students, supervising and hiring temps and students
Interfacing with the Library on the management and distribution of the online database and digital archives
20% Archive management
Overseeing digitization of the Kelsey archive
Ensuring the physical preservation of the paper archive, with the help of Conservation
Interfacing with the UM Library to distribute the digitized archives
30% Collections and exhibition management
Improving and extending photographic and 3D coverage of artifacts
Supporting collection management as needed for Exhibitions, Conservation, Education and Research
Supporting educational access for classes
Required Qualifications*
A Bachelor’s degree in Digital Humanities, Library Science, Information Science, Art and Archaeology, or a related subject, with a minimum of 3 years of experience in digital asset and cultural collections management systems. Candidates should have experience working with operating systems relevant to collection management. Candidates should have experience working with museum collections, esp. archaeological objects and archives, as well as with best practices for collections management including exhibitions, research, proper artifact handling and housing, and cataloging including computerized collections records. Candidates will also have experience managing the work of others, and working with databases (Collective Access). Candidates should have exceptional communication and collaborative skills, and should be detail-oriented, with ability to work independently on multiple projects.
Desired Qualifications*
An advanced degree in the relevant fields. Applicants familiar with Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Ancient Middle Eastern or Islamic collections will be given higher preference.
Additional Information
The salary range is $48,000-60,000, please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate’s experience.
As one of the world’s great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei .
To learn more about LSA’s Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision .
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Categories: Job Postings