Archive Officer (Photographic)
Job Title
Archive Officer (Photographic)
Job Number
5071
Classification
APS Level 4
Job Type
Ongoing, Full time
Salary
$58 915 - $64 308
Location
Acton, ACT
Program
Collections Program
About the Organisation
AIATSIS is Australia’s premier national institution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander studies. We engage in a broad research program, including areas of social
and cultural wellbeing, country and governance, including the Native title Research
Unit. We house the world’s most important and extensive collection of cultural and
research material, and we promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge
and culture including publishing through Aboriginal Studies Press. AIATSIS works to
enhance the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increase
appropriate access to the collection and to enable a better understanding of Australia
and its people by all Australians.
According to recent significance assessments the AIATSIS collection is the “most
extensive and best contextualised collection of Indigenous Australia in the world”.
As a major national keeping place for Indigenous knowledge, it is also key research
infrastructure and a source of information and knowledge about Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories for Australia and the world. The
Collections program encompasses all aspects of collection development,
management, preservation and access.
Position Details
The Archive Officer (Photographic) is a member of the Collection Management
(Photographic) unit which is responsible for the documentation and preservation of
the Institute’s photographic collection comprising over 650,000 items in a range of
formats dating from the late 1800s to the present day. The Archive Officer
(Photographic) undertakes a range of collection management activities in the
Photographic Collection including the accessioning and cataloguing of collection
items and other activities to enhance the discoverability of the collection.
The successful candidate will have experience working with a photographic
collection in a museum, library or archive context and a proven understanding of
collection management practices, including a sound understanding of content
description, preventive conservation and other archival procedures.
Duty Statement
Under general direction

Contribute to the achievement of AIATSIS goals and objectives as a member of
the Collections program, including improving established work processes.

Undertake high-level documentation of photographic collection materials,
including the cataloguing of information onto the Institute’s online catalogue and
other activities to enhance the discoverability of the collection.

Undertake a wide range of collection management activities in the Photographic
Collection including the accessioning of items into the collection, project work and
database updates.

Contribute as part of a small team including providing senior Collections
Management staff with advice and assistance, preparation of more complex
correspondence and reports and communicating effectively with internal and
external stakeholders on a range of matters. Supervise and train staff as
required.

Be aware of, and work to the capability clusters outlined in the Australian Public
Service Commission Integrated Leadership System applicable to APS 4
employees.
Identified Position
Indigenous jobseekers are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. This position is
'Identified', which means that part of or all of the duties impact on Indigenous
Australian people and/or involve interaction with Indigenous Australian communities
or their representatives.
Special Measures
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute a special measure under section
8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Please note: Applicants may be required to provide of proof of Aboriginal and/or
Torres Strait Islander descent.
APS 4 Archive Officer (Photographic) | 1
Application Instructions
Fill in the application form. Please limit your response to 250 words per criterion.
Selections Criteria
1. Demonstrated commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and the demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This commitment will be
shown by their capacity to:
a. Understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures;
b. Identify issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
today; and
c. Communicate respectfully
2. Demonstrated understanding of the role of a major specialist collection in meeting
the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and researchers and
the particular demands of such a collection including understanding of the
challenges posed by Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights and the
concerns of Indigenous peoples when facilitating discoverability of material which
contains Indigenous cultural heritage.
3. Demonstrated ability to undertake collection management activities (including
capacity to catalogue original photographic materials to international standards)
in a timely manner with a high attention to detail.
4. Demonstrated capacity to listen and understand the views of others, respect
different viewpoints and contribute positively to change.
5. Demonstrated ability to analyse information and determine how it is best used.
6. Ability to prioritise own work and respond flexibly to changes in the workplace.
Qualifications
Demonstrated experience and skills working with photographic materials in a Library
or Archive context would be an advantage.
Contact Officer
Valerie Perrett | ph: 02 6246 1185 | email: recruitment@aiatsis.gov.au
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 5:00PM AEST TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 2015
APS 4 Archive Officer (Photographic) | 2