Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
Manuscripts & Archives department
Yale University
Rank: Band 2—Grade 22 (Assistant Manager 1)
Fixed Duration: Three (3) years from date of hire
Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours); Standard Work Week (M-F, 8:30 – 5:00)
The University and the Library
One of the world's leading research libraries, Yale University Library is a full partner in teaching, research, and learning at Yale and is visited by scholars from around the world. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including approximately thirteen million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections. Housed in twenty-two buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the new Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of nearly six hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers. To learn more about Yale University Library and its collections and services, visit www.library.yale.edu.
Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
The Fortunoff Video Archive is a program within Manuscripts and Archives, that advances teaching and research by making primary source materials available for study and is open to the public. Since its inauguration at Yale in 1981, the collection has grown to almost 4,500 videotaped accounts of those who lived under Nazi occupation or witnessed the Holocaust. The collection is in twenty-two languages and the testimonies have been recorded at Yale and at 36 projects formally affiliated with the Fortunoff Video Archive. For additional information, please visit, http://www.library.yale.edu/testimonies/ and http://www.library.yale.edu/mssa/.
Position Description
Reporting to the Fortunoff Video Archive Archivist, the Video Archive Project Manager will join a dynamic group of archivists, information technology personnel, and vendors to assist in designing a plan for the digital migration of more than 12,000 legacy videotapes. Applying leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills, the Video Archive Project Manager will implement the plan and manage timely completion of the migration project to preserve and provide improved access to the testimonies.
Responsibilities
Participates in design of plan to migrate legacy videotapes (U-Matic, Betacam, and other formats in both NTSC and PAL standards) to preservation digital files (losslessly compressed MJPEG2K) on data tape library system (LTO5), and digital access files (mezzanine files – probably H.264), and streaming files (probably DV) on spinning disk storage (likely Isilon storage). Provides technical support for implementing migration plan in a complex video digital migration facility, including installation, trouble shooting, and maintenance of electronic and mechanical audio-video production equipment and technology distributions systems. Implements, supervises, and documents the day-to-day migration workflow for retrieval of legacy videotapes, inspection and cleaning, digitization, quality assurance, transmission of data files and metadata to permanent file locations, and return of legacy tapes to Library Shelving Facility. Troubleshoots and modifies workflow as needed to result in successful migration within project deadlines. Ensures adherence to productions schedules and quality standards.
Partners with appropriate department and Library colleagues and University offices and staff (Information Technology Services, Office of Digital Assets and Infrastructure) to develop institutional standards and best practices campus-wide for audio-video digital migration. Partners with department and library colleagues and university offices and staff (Information Technology Services, Office of Digital Assets and Infrastructure) to develop institutional standards and best practices campus-wide for disseminating digital audio-video material to the research community.
Plans, designs, and implements a user interface system to integrate time-coded digital video and time-coded xml-compliant finding aids, in collaboration with the senior archivist for digital information systems. 7. Uses advanced video editing software and hardware, such as Final Cut Pro, with the Fortunoff Video Archivist and/or faculty to produce edited video programs for publication, conferences, and classroom use. Trains department and library staff in use of editing suite. May hire and supervise necessary support staff. Participates in the development of campus-wide digital repository functionality to support users in determining existence, description, location, and availability of digital collections.
Engages actively with professional organizations and literature; keeps abreast of archival trends and developments. May participate in and contribute to library long-term planning and is professionally active in library, scholarly and/or academic organizations. May represent the library and the University in the academic and professional community by serving on various committees and task forces. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. May be assigned to work at West Campus location in West Haven, CT.
Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited program for moving image archives and/or related master’s degree (sound, video, or computer engineering); or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience migrating analog to digital video. Experience managing complex projects with deadlines.
Demonstrated knowledge of audio-video archive management and best practices, including preservation issues and standards. Demonstrated ability to work with databases, migrate data from one database system to another, and develop functional requirements for programmers building new database applications. Demonstrated knowledge of vintage video equipment and media, such as U-Matic and Betacam in NTSC and PAL standards, including technical requirements, best practices, and production practices such as cleaning heads. Knowledge of metadata and data structure standards relevant to the archival control of digital and analog collection materials. Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Ability to conduct training in technical areas.
Preferred: Experience working with digital asset management systems. Knowledge of and experience with Final Cut Pro and other video editing tools. Supervisory experience.
Salary and Benefits
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more. Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at www.yale.edu/jobs for immediate consideration - the STARS req ID for this position is 9459BR. Please be sure to reference #9459BR in your cover letter.
Background Check Requirements
All external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment screening. All offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Internal candidates are also subject to pre-employment screening for this position.
Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.
