Collection Systems Digital Specialist
About the Job
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s (NFSA) Collection Stewardship section
requires a Collections Systems Digital Specialist to assist with the operations and
development of digital media acquisition and processing systems. The role requires
someone with excellent communication and liaison skills, diverse information
communication and technology / audiovisual digital media skills, demonstrated expertise
with media asset management systems, digital media knowledge, and the ability to
provide digital media advice and technical support to NFSA staff.
As a Collection Systems Digital Specialist at the NFSA, you will be involved in the day-today operations and support to users of the NFSA Media Asset Management system:
Mediaflex, and the associated digital acquisition, storage and processing infrastructure.
An important responsibility of the position is to provide support services and advice to
NFSA staff regarding all aspects of digital media acquisition, workflows and file processing
so that across the organisation digital media workflow efficiency is improved and general
staff knowledge increases over time. You will assist NFSA Staff with their client liaison so that
digital media acquired for the national audiovisual collection is consistent and aligns with
NFSA archival standards of supported digital formats.
The national audiovisual collection is composed of more than 2 million collection works
and includes one of Australasia’s largest and most culturally significant collections of
moving image, broadcast, music and associated documents and artefacts. Through the
managed conversion of obsolete and endangered physical and analogue/digital formats
to other physical formats or digital files, the NFSA is preserving the collection as a
permanent resource for the use and enjoyment of all Australians.
The NFSA is expecting to continue the digitisation of the collection for acquisition,
preservation and access as it develops the capacity and capability to manage the
increasing volume of born-digital collection works. This poses significant digital
preservation and staffing challenges for the future as the volume of file-based media
stored increases and the skills required to undertake digital operations across the
organisation change.
Knowledge of digital media formats, digital file handling techniques and associated
technology is an essential benefit in understanding the importance of this role, and in
particular how the role relates to the NFSA’s Media Asset Management system and the
acquisition and accessioning of digital materials. The ability to communicate effectively
with staff with variable digital media knowledge and expertise will help to differentiate
between candidates for the position.
The Collection Systems Digital Specialist position is based at NFSA headquarters in Acton,
Canberra and travel to other NFSA sites may be required from time to time. The role is a
full-time position, with terms and conditions of employment as described in the NFSA’s
Enterprise Agreement.
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About the Team
This position is part of the Digital Collection Infrastructure team of the Collection
Stewardship section. This small but dynamic team manages and supports Mediaflex, the
NFSA’s Media Asset Management system and associated infrastructure, mass digital
storage environment and collections networking infrastructure. The team also collaborates
extensively a range of teams across the NFSA including the Technology Services team, the
Collection Systems team, Collection Operations, Curatorial and Preservation sections.
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Local Designation (Title)
Collection Systems Digital Specialist
Classification
APS 6
Salary
$74,884 - $83,603 pa plus superannuation
Nature of Employment
Ongoing
Reference Number
89412
Branch
Collection
Section
Collection Stewardship
Team
Digital Collection Infrastructure
Immediate Supervisor
Manager, Digital Collection Infrastructure
Location
Canberra
Gazette Précis
Undertake the day-to-day operations and support to users of the NFSA Media Asset
Management system: Mediaflex, and the associated digital acquisition, storage and
processing infrastructure that supports the NFSA’s national audiovisual collection of
moving image, recorded sound, broadcast and associated documents and artefacts.
Job Details
Under general direction undertake the following duties:
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Research and development to support the operation of the NFSA’s digital
acquisitions systems, quarantine facility, media validation and quality control
processes and associated workflows with a view of building an end-to-end
workflow for digital works.
Troubleshoot existing digital media workflows and supporting systems, identification
of inefficiencies and labour-intensive tasks and development of solutions to reduce
inefficiencies and labour intensive practices.
Respond to external requests and provide advice in the area of expertise,
particularly digital media issues.

Coordinate staff digital media training to facilitate knowledge sharing on
developments in digital technologies and processes.

Prepare documentation regarding preferred digital media delivery formats and
digital media processes.
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Selection Criteria
1.
Demonstrated high level computer skills with proven expertise in using media asset
management systems such as Mediaflex, as used by the NFSA
2.
Demonstrated experience handling current and legacy digital AV media files, in
terms of:
a) Understanding of components of digital media content packages.
b) Understanding concepts of quality checking with respect to digital media files
(technically and objectively).
c) Understanding of transcoding, its applications and requirements.
3.
Demonstrated understanding of metadata concepts and operations such as:
a) Collection data models and structures particularly in an audiovisual environment.
b) Digital descriptive and technical metadata.
c) Structural metadata for complex objects or groupings of simple objects.
4.
Demonstrated capacity to collaborate and communicate effectively by applying
well-developed interpersonal and oral communication skills in an environment
which requires the conveying of complex information regarding digital media and
associated workflows, to a range of technical and non-technical staff.
5.
Highly developed written communication skills with proven ability to develop and
document procedures as well as provide training for NFSA Staff with varying levels
of knowledge and experience.
6.
Proven track record of performance, knowledge and innovative aptitude
balanced with the ability to follow direction to deliver successful outcomes.
Qualifications and/or equivalent experience required:

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Relevant experience in a collecting institution and/or audiovisual industry is
desirable.
Relevant tertiary studies in audiovisual digital media are desirable.
Assessment Process
The assessment process for this position will include:
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A written statement of qualifications/experience against the job details addressing
the selection criteria;
Current CV including 2 referees;
An interview;
Referee checking.
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