ARCHIVE MANAGER
General Summary
WNYC Archives are New York Public Radio’s (NYPR) physical link to the station’s rich and storied past. Directed by Andy Lanset, a senior archivist and audio preservation specialist, the department provides a central repository for thousands of recordings, photographs, memorabilia, reports, news items, program guides, institutional records, and promotional materials. 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 performance materials are being stored on HD CAM and production materials are currently stored on a variety of file formats. In addition, NYPR’s recent acquisition of WQXR includes the WQXR archives of audio, paper and photo materials.
WNYC Archives are New York Public Radio’s (NYPR) physical link to the station’s rich and storied past. Directed by Andy Lanset, a senior archivist and audio preservation specialist, the department provides a central repository for thousands of recordings, photographs, memorabilia, reports, news items, program guides, institutional records, and promotional materials. 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 performance materials are being stored on HD CAM and production materials are currently stored on a variety of file formats. In addition, NYPR’s recent acquisition of WQXR includes the WQXR archives of audio, paper and photo materials.
Position Summary
The New York Public Radio Archives are in a significant period of transition. As we become a nationally recognized resource for audio content we need a department manager who can help us bring our workflows and systems into alignment while also managing projects and related staff. We will be working more closely with the Interactive Department as we make our collections available to a larger audience of scholars, students and the just plain curious. We seek someone who can help us achieve this goal with attention to detail, organization, solid management skills with people and projects and a dedication to public radio.
The New York Public Radio Archives are in a significant period of transition. As we become a nationally recognized resource for audio content we need a department manager who can help us bring our workflows and systems into alignment while also managing projects and related staff. We will be working more closely with the Interactive Department as we make our collections available to a larger audience of scholars, students and the just plain curious. We seek someone who can help us achieve this goal with attention to detail, organization, solid management skills with people and projects and a dedication to public radio.
Reporting to the Director of Archives, the Archive Manager will provide specialized reference assistance to producers, reporters and staff on demand. He/she will also make preservation-quality transfers of historical audio materials as needed. The qualified candidate will also work with the WNYC and WQXR Interactive Department on the expansion of archive material on to the web.
The Archive Manager is primarily responsible for cataloging, authority controls and taxonomy issues pertaining to the various collections and databases. This includes all of the programming produced by NYPR. As database administrator for the Archives catalog, the Archive Manager will oversee its ongoing development and maintenance, coordinating with other departments to streamline systems for tracking metadata with an eye toward standardization between the archive database and the digital asset management system.
The Archives Manager will also oversee and 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.
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
o Reformat & digitize audio materials on an ongoing basis
o Respond to staff requests under tight deadlines
o Organize, catalog and re-house historical sound collections
o Scan images, resize, reformat and deliver files as needed
o Maintain WQXR and WNYC history wiki
o Oversee grant funded reformatting and digitization
o Supervise staff (Assistant Archivists)
o Assist Director in establishing NYPR’s role in the American Archive project
o Assist in pursuing revenue generating possibilities for archive collections
o Liaison with membership
o Oversee library school interns as needed
o Comply with all New York Public Radio and department policies and guidelines
o 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
o Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
o ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent
o 4+ years professional archives experience
o Knowledge of current archival preservation and conservation practices
o Strong digital imaging skills, Photoshop user preferred
o Knowledge of database design, especially MS Access
o Familiarity with scanning and OCR software
o Familiarity with PBCore, EAD, AACR2, LCSH, and Archivist Toolkit
o Experience with MySQL a plus
o Familiarity with audio and digital video formats and storage issues
o Familiar with ProTools and DAVID software packages for recording, editing and mixing audio
o Knowledge of standard desktop software applications
o 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
o 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
o Must be able to work independently, multi-task and prioritize, handling several projects at once
o Familiarity with New York Public Radio programs preferred
o Demonstrated experience working with audio and/or video recordings preferred
o Web writing experience a plus
o Interest in New York City history and classical music preferred
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, salary requirements and resume online to jobs@wnyc.org with “Archive Manager” and your last name in the subject line.
To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, salary requirements and resume online to jobs@wnyc.org with “Archive Manager” and your last name in the subject line.
New York Public Radio must receive all information requested in order to consider your candidacy.
Qualified candidates only please. No calls, no third-party submissions.
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 New York Public Radio.
New York Public Radio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites and encourages qualified applicants from all walks of life.
