The Museum has an exciting opportunity for a professional to join the Collection Engagement Business Unit, as a Changeable and Digital Collections Senior Officer.
The Collection Engagement Business Unit focuses on current and future processes supporting engagement with the Museum’s collections, including building the Museum’s capacity to manage, store and preserve digital collection material.
The Business Unit encompasses the diverse range of activities which make the Museum’s collections discoverable. These include documentation, imaging and digitisation, administering the Museum’s Collection Management System (currently EMu) and Digital Asset Management System (currently Piction), managing associated intellectual property rights, managing the Library and Archive collections, and providing public access– both online and on-site in the Museum’s collection stores. The Business Unit also includes a First Nations Collections section, which is responsible for repatriation, facilitating First Nations community access to collections, and enhancing the knowledge of the First Nations collections held by the Museum.
The Collection Engagement Business Unit works closely with: the Curatorial team, who set the intellectual framework for collection development; the Collection Care and Management team who are responsible for collection conservation, storage, and related logistics; and the Information Technology team who are responsible for the technical infrastructure and systems.
This position plays a critical role in undertaking activities that build and support the Museum’s capacity to collect, document, store and conserve the Museum’s Changeable and Digital Collections which comprise collection material that is dynamic, variable, relational, audio visual and digital (born-digital or digitised). This role
• supports the Discovery and Collections Division by providing knowledge and guidance to staff on digital collecting standards and emerging trends and approaches in digital collections management to enhance access to Museum collections
• contributes to the development and implementation of new ways to classify, describe, and document the Museum’s collections that allows for record and data integration across business systems that reflect a deeper engagement with collections
• works collaboratively within Collection Engagement to ensure all collection systems are managed and data integrity maintained. This includes providing advice, support and testing activities for any system management or upgrade process.
• supports the Manager Changeable and Digital Collections in establishing and providing recommendations on acquisition processes, collection management and care and display relating to the Museum’s digital cultural objects and collecting ambitions.
What will the successful candidate bring to the role?
To be successful in this role you will
• have knowledge and experience of contemporary collection management processes within a museum context and an interest in new ways of working to accelerate digital collecting practices.
• have experience coordinating and planning workflows and projects that relate to the acquisition, management and display of cultural heritage objects, including performance, digital, and intangible heritage.
• keep up to date with developments in the field of digital collecting and identify relevant trends in museum practice that contribute and help shape the Museum’s strategic plan. be adaptable and responsive to stakeholder needs and being able to readily distil information and communicate effectively.
• have excellent problem-solving and be able to find solutions to unique issues which may arise in the acquisition of born-digital collections and issues associated with legacy and obsolete formats and technologies.
Selection criteria
Applicants must respond to each of the following selection criteria and include contact details for two referees in their application.
1. Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience working with cultural collections in a museum environment.
2. Strong awareness and understanding of international standards and approaches for collecting cultural heritage objects that are functional, performative, and ephemeral, including curation and standards for the management of complex born-digital material.
3. Knowledge or experience in researching, designing and implementing solutions using contemporary techniques and approaches to facilitate the acquisition, management, and display of cultural heritage objects, including performance, digital, and intangible heritage.
4. Demonstrated ability to find solutions to unique issues which may arise in the acquisition of born-digital collections and issues associated with legacy and obsolete formats and technologies.
5. Strong communication and negotiation skills, with conflict resolution skills and an ability to build effective relationships.
6. Commitment to legal and regulatory responsibilities, including Workplace Health and Safety as it applies to this role and approved places of work.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The National Museum of Australia is an equal employment opportunity workplace.
The National Museum of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for these principles in theory and practice.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this vacancy, applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen
- undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check.