• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: Local 2110
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $56,182 - $56,182

Position Summary

Columbia University Libraries seek a collaborative, diligent, and energetic individual for the position of Digital Content Assistant in Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library. The position reports to the Head, Exhibitions & Digital Asset Management.

Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library is one of the pre-eminent collections of rare and historical documents for architectural study in the world. It contains more than 2.5 million drawings and architectural records, 40,000 rare books, and more than 13,000 artworks representing world cultures antique and modern. Students, faculty, scholars and the architecturally engaged public use these materials for their research and teaching; museums regularly borrow materials from our collections for exhibitions. Staff consists of exhibitions and digital asset manager, curators, librarians, archivists in defined roles, but all staff work collaboratively to meet the needs of our varied constituency.

As one of the world's leading research universities, Columbia University in the City of New York provides outstanding opportunities to work and grow in a dynamic, multicultural, intellectual community. The Columbia University Libraries are comprised of a diverse and engaged staff committed to furthering the University's teaching and research mission through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strongly encourages individuals of all backgrounds and cultures to consider this position.

Responsibilities

The incumbent assists in the use of Avery collections by:

• Scheduling, organizing, and executing digital imaging sessions for 2D and 3D objects in dedicated photo studio. This includes: coordinating with patrons and holding departments; processing and billing customer orders; assisting contract photographer with object movement and tracking.
• Completing all post-production work and delivering image files to patrons.
• Developing and updating records for digital assets on internal and public-facing platforms (metadata entry, image upload, editing, and reporting)
• Organizing, preserving and sharing digital image files as needed.
• Providing information and service to researchers in person, by email, mail and phone.
• Performing other duties as assigned.
  
  Please note that knowledge, interest, or study of American architectural history is fundamental to the performance of this position. There is a high level of interaction with staff across Avery Library who share common procedures and coordinate schedules to accomplish shared goals. The Digital Content Assistant is trained in the standards and procedures for special collection materials, photographic practices, data creation and management.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma required
• Two years' related experience required
• Ability to lift boxes up to 30-40 lbs. and climb ladders required
• Knowledge, interest, or study of architectural history required
• Knowledge of library cataloging standards and practices required
• Knowledge of archival organization and handling of special collection materials required
• Experience working with original architectural, photographic and archival materials required
• Experience handling archival materials.
• Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), and web-based social media (blog, website) or equivalent required (Mac and PC)
  Commitment to supporting and working in a diverse environment required
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Public service experience preferred
• Working knowledge of a Western European language preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.