Digital Asset Librarian - Philadelphia Museum of Art

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. 

How You Will Contribute

The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Digital Asset Librarian provides management and oversight of the Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) Julian, the museum’s primary a/v repository and an access point for more than 900,000 assets that document the art collections, as well as the rich exhibition and event history of the Museum. The successful candidate will recommend system enhancements, maintain developed syncs with other platforms, streamline DAMS workflows, and provide training for all levels of staff.  They will collaborate with Counsel on creating and maintaining institutional governance on image rights policies and stances. Working closely with the Assistant Director of Library and Digital Strategies, improve, enhance, and expand the distribution of and access to digital media and other assets for internal and external patrons.

Specifically, you will:

• Collaborate with respective colleagues to develop, maintain, and document DAMS policies, goals, training materials and procedures for assets, rights and copyright specifications, and integrate assets across multiple institution-wide systems
• Develop, coordinate, and perform a variety of database maintenance tasks, from monitoring user accounts and system performance, compiling and analyzing system usage statistics, to cataloging media assets, including automated and batch processing
• Partner with key staff to ensure metadata, vocabularies and taxonomy completion and compliance and monitor for accuracy and consistency across the database
• Assess departmental collections of digital assets not yet ingested into the DAMS to determine if they are in scope and meet the criteria for addition to the database
• Encourage and maintain user adoption of the DAMS by providing training, support, and assistance with queries for a wide-range of internal and external patrons
• Collaborate with Counsel and other respective colleagues to manage, maintain and document institutional governance on rights policies and stances including 3rd party platforms, such as Bridgeman, ArtStor and ARS
• Help respond to image use queries and serve as backup for library@ account as needed
• Supervise the Digital Asset Specialist, and as needed, mentor and train seasonal or temporary interns and volunteers
• Perform other duties as assigned

Your background and experience include:

• 3–4 years practical experience in a museum or library image archive, including:  database management, software administration, rights management, print and media technologies, metadata standards and practices, file formatting, and data migration.
• Significant relevant experience in developing, managing, and stewarding digital collections in a museum, library, and/or archives environment. Knowledge of DAMS (specifically Orange Logic CORTEX) preferred.
• Knowledge of metadata standards for cultural objects and images, such as CDWA and VRA Core, and a general understanding of other metadata schemas such as Dublin Core, XML, MODS, etc.
• Knowledge and understanding of digital image file parameters, including bit depth, color profiles, resolution, compression, image size, and formats.
• Familiarity with Sharepoint and LibGuides
• Excellent technical and interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster a collegial work environment that encourages trust and innovation.
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing procedures and documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others as part of a team as well as independently.
• Solid computer skills and the ability to learn new software.
• Solid analytic skills to improve processes.
• Must possess the drive and focus necessary to improve and expand the distribution of and access to the museum’s permanent collection and exhibition assets through digital media.

Position and Compensation Details

• The salary for this position is $57,000.
• This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• This position reports to Assistant Director of Library and Digital Strategies
• Physical requirements:
  • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.