F/T - Senior Archivist - WNYC, New York Public Radio

Description:
Established in the year 2000, the WNYC Archives are the station's physical link to its rich and storied past. Managed by the Director of Archives, a senior archivist and audio preservation specialist, the department provides a central repository for thousands of recordings, photographs, memorabilia, and institutional records. Among its holdings are more than 50,000 recordings in a variety of formats, from early lacquer and acetate discs, to reel-to-reel tape, DBX 700, F1 Beta, DAT, MD and CD. Video materials are a new and growing component of the collection and are currently stored on a variety of formats. In addition, WNYC’s recent acquisition of WQXR includes the WQXR archives of audio, paper and photo materials.

Position Summary:
The Senior Archivist is primarily responsible for cataloging and preserving our contemporary programming collection, comprised of all shows currently produced by WNYC & WQXR. Working with the Director of Archives to provide specialized reference assistance to producers, reporters and staff on demand, he/she will also make preservation-quality transfers of historical audio materials and plan for the processing of new acquisitions.

As database administrator for the Archives catalog, the Senior Archivist will oversee its ongoing development and maintenance, coordinating with other departments to streamline systems for tracking metadata with an eye toward standardization. The Senior Archivist will also maintain the Archive’s growing photograph and digital video collections, and will work to promote, publicize, and create awareness of the WNYC & WQXR Archives and station history through various projects as assigned.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Reformat & digitize audio materials on an ongoing basis
• Respond to staff requests under tight deadlines
• Organize, catalog and re-house historical sound collections
• Scan images, resize, reformat and deliver files as needed
• Oversee library school interns as they survey materials
• Maintain WQXR and WNYC history wiki
• Comply with all WNYC/WQXR show policies and guidelines
• This position requires use of a computer, telephone and other office and/or broadcast equipment; requires bending, reaching and lifting of up to (30 pounds); ability to communicate effectively through a variety of methods
• Ability to work extended hours as needed
• Additional duties and special projects as assigned

Qualifications:
• ALA-accredited MLIS or equivalent
• 2+ years professional archives experience
• Highly organized and detail oriented
• Knowledge of current archival preservation and conservation practices
• Strong digital imaging skills, Photoshop user preferred
• Knowledge of database design, esp. MS Access
• Familiarity with scanning and OCR software
• Knowledge of digital audio and video formats and storage issues
• Knowledge of PBCore, EAD, AACR2 and LCSH
• Familiarity with ProTools or similar software packages for recording, editing and mixing audio preferred.
• Knowledge of standard desktop software applications
• Requires the intellectual and emotional depth, maturity, self-confidence and interpersonal skills to work effectively and/or interact with the other archive staff, station employees, colleagues, industry representatives and cultural partners (as needed) - required
• Excellent communication skills—both oral and written—with an impressive reputation for building and maintaining relationships with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational and social backgrounds - required
• Must be able to work independently, multi-task and prioritize, handling several projects at once
• Familiarity with WNYC and WQXR programs preferred
• Demonstrated experience working with audio and/or video recordings preferred
• Web writing experience a plus
• Interest in New York City history and classical music preferred

About WNYC & WQXR
WNYC Radio (WNYC) began broadcasting on July 8, 1924, and has been a leading source of information and culture for more than 80 years. WNYC is poised to be the media organization for New Yorkers of the 21st century. WNYC is one of the leading producers of public media content in the country and New York's premier public media content provider through wnyc.org, a new street-level broadcast and performance studio and its broadcast stations, WNYC 93.9 FM and WNYC AM 820 - America's most listened-to on public radio. More than one million listeners weekly share in the city’s cultural riches and hear the best offerings from affiliate networks National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media. For more, visit www.wnyc.org.

WNYC has acquired the WQXR brand, website and frequency 105.9FM from The New York Times and in doing so, preserves classical music on the New York City airwaves. Under WNYC, WQXR will retain its classical music format and operate as a public radio station and the preeminent provider of classical music programming in New York at the new dial frequency 105.9FM and globally through its online streaming and content at WQXR.org. Since December 3, 1936 WQXR has been a leading source of high quality music broadcasts in the New York metro area and will continue as such under WNYC’s stewardship. For more info, please visit: www.wqxr.org.

How to Apply:

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, salary requirements and resume online to jobs@wnyc.org with “Sr Archivist” and your last name in the subject line.

WNYC must receive all information requested in order to consider your candidacy.

Qualified candidates only please. No calls, no agencies.

Due to the high volume of submissions, we are able to respond only to the candidates selected for interview. We appreciate your interest in employment with WNYC.

WNYC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites and encourages qualified applicants from all walks of life.