StoryCorps is seeking an Archivist.
Department: Recording & Archive
Division: Programs
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Reports To: Associate Director, Archive
Status: Full Time, Regular, Non-Exempt, Union
Salary: $45,000 - $55,000
Deadline to apply: Monday, April 17th 5:00 pm ET.
THE ROLE
The Recording & Archive (R&A) Department is responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of StoryCorps’ recording process and assuring the integrity and accessibility of StoryCorps’ archive of over 83,000 born-digital signature audio interviews and over 240,000 interviews recorded using the StoryCorps App.
The Archivist is a critical member of the R&A department. As the Archivist, you will support the development, planning, and implementation of in-person and remote archive training sessions. You will oversee the transfer and review of interview materials and delivery of these materials to local, regional, and national archive partners. You will also provide individual feedback and support to facilitators and other staff regarding interview paperwork, metadata collection, and audio and photo file transfer. As the Archivist, you will take a role in serving as a key partner to the Digital Innovation team and the Public Information team to support the technological development of StoryCorps recording platforms.
This position is designated as a union position. As such, it is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in our Collective Bargaining Agreement with CWA Local 1180. This also means that you would be responsible for paying union dues or agency fees (currently 1.3% of your gross wages), deducted from your regular biweekly pay after the completion of your qualifying period.
We seek to recruit and develop a staff whose diversity matches the diversity of the communities we serve, and we strongly encourage applications from people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, from people of all ages, political beliefs, and cultures. StoryCorps records, shares, and preserves stories from a diverse range of American voices — from our Historias Initiative to collect the experiences of Latinos to our One Small Step initiative to connect people across the political divide, and more.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Support StoryCorps’ mission by serving in a central role in various organization-wide planning committees and interdepartmental teams related to accessibility, initiatives, or others.
- Manage the lifecycle of StoryCorps’ interview materials, including file transfer procedures and improvements, processing, reporting, and dissemination of audio and photo files, interview records, interview metadata, and other related information.
- Create archive and database-specific materials and play a leadership role in the training of internal staff and external archive users on archival processes.
- Support field staff facilitators on archival and recording work through regular written reports that provide essential feedback on file naming conventions, data entry, audio and photographic standards, physical and digital paperwork processing and ensure all internal stakeholders are informed of changes in workflow.
- Evaluate and examine processing and delivery workflows and refine them as technological advancements are implemented.
- Refine and update metadata field and participant response options for physical and digital paperwork forms and oversee the creation of new forms as needed using CSS coding language.
- Monitor areas for improved functionality in the Archive through usage and communication with stakeholders, including advanced search options, metadata standardization, and the creation of StoryCorps interview Collections capability. Suggest best practices and improvement plans as well as assisting with testing and implementation.
- Promote the StoryCorps Archive through internal and external events, conference presentations, and more.
- Provide interview and supplementary materials to new and continuing community partners, including the Library of Congress. Develop and implement workflows for internal and external requests for interview materials.
- Perform other duties to support Recording & Archive department/function as assigned.
ABOUT YOU
Required:
- You believe in and support the mission of StoryCorps.
- You have experience working in Mac OS platform, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- You have an HS diploma or Associate Degree
- You have 2 years of experience processing digital assets and related materials.
- You’re organized and have a keen attention to detail
- You have strong problem-solving skills.
- You are able to self-direct in completing projects.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Solid organization skills, multi-tasking ability, and attention to detail
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable in order to contribute to problem-solving activities within a growing, changing organization
- Cultural competence/humility and the ability to thrive in a diverse work environment
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree plus equivalent relevant work experience.
- You are proficient in a non-English language (Spanish, Mandarin, and/or Arabic strongly preferred).
- You have previous experience working with audiovisual materials and audio editing software such as Audacity.
- You are familiar with digital audio recording and photography techniques.
- You have advanced skills in Excel, and experience in WordPress, SQL, and Python.
Physical Requirements:
- Travel Percentage: 5%
- Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to lift and small carry parcels, packages and other items
- This position requires that the individual is able to lift a minimum of 50lbs. and can maneuver large, cumbersome equipment.
ABOUT STORYCORPS
Founded in 2003, StoryCorps has given over 600,000 people, in all 50 states, the chance to record interviews about their lives. The award-winning organization preserves the recordings in its archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered, and shares select stories with the public through StoryCorps’ podcast, NPR broadcasts, animated shorts, digital platforms, and best-selling books. These powerful human stories reflect the vast range of American experiences, engender empathy and connection, and remind us how much more we have in common than what divides us. StoryCorps is especially committed to capturing and amplifying voices least heard in the media. The StoryCorps MobileBooth, an Airstream trailer that has been transformed into a traveling recording booth, crisscrosses the country year-round gathering the stories of people nationwide. Learn more at storycorps.org.
In-Office Work:
Working at the StoryCorps office is optional except in certain circumstances, such as in-person training, if your position requires some in-office presence, or if your manager needs an in-person individual or team meeting, COVID guidelines permitting.
For those who prefer to work in the office, that option remains.
COVID NOTICE:
All offers of employment requiring on-site/in-person work will be contingent on the candidate being Fully Vaccinated (at least two-weeks after last dose) prior to starting their new role. Reasonable accommodations can be discussed with HR personnel for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons. Proof of vaccination status is required at the time of extending the offer.
We monitor NYC COVID-19 transmission rates every week to inform staff of in-office protocols. This status is emailed to all staff every Friday and will include the rules to follow for each color code: Green, Yellow, and Red. These codes will dictate the masking and gathering guidelines.
StoryCorps seeks to hire staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at StoryCorps are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
https://storycorps.applytojob.com/apply/hirBQTMO3z/Archivist
