Digital Conversion Technician

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Digital Reformatting Section, Collections Digitization Division, Digital Services Directorate, Discovery and Preservation Services.

The position description number is 306765. The salary range reflects the locality pay for the Washington, D.C., Metro area. The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person selected under this vacancy.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to use computerized search tools, databases, and web based tools.** Knowledge of digital conversion principles, procedures and operations.** Ability to utilize computer technology/software applications.** Ability to plan work and meet deadlines.

Knowledge of library processes and procedures. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Major Duties:

Performs arrangement and description work in a limited body of records that describe digitized materials. Assesses the correctness of item entries in different fields and makes corrections as needed.

Identifies duplicate entries. Copies records when needed. Creates new records or modifies existing records as appropriate.

Consults with senior staff on a regular basis when correcting or significantly altering database entries. Performs initial searching functions to locate and identify materials.

Conducts searches on a limited variety of bibliographic files to identify and locate titles, editions, pages, serial volumes and issues, and reformatted versions in the Library and in other institutions.

Applies knowledge of a limited range of library rules, procedures, and operations to respond to a more routine range of standard library collection maintenance issues.

Prepares, organizes, and collates collection materials as necessary for digitization and processes the digital files produced as needed so that they may be included in digital projects.

May physically transport collection materials between custodial divisions, conservation offices, scanning operations, and/or contractors.

As required, digitizes library materials using scanners or digital cameras according to specifications provided.

Receives computer files representing digitized items and files containing associated metadata and places in appropriate locations on servers.

Checks files representing digitized items against established quality standards prior to acceptance.

Where files fail to meet such standards, documents problems and works with senior staff to request rework. Completes a sequence of detailed routines in searching online databases.

Uses search tools in a variety of online databases that have different search interfaces and protocols.

Follows a limited number of applicable instructions concerning the recognition and comparison of dates, authors, titles, filenames, directory structures, and other conventions.

Determines whether records describe items in hand or items represented by digital files. Assists in the implementation of digital projects as assigned by senior staff.

Creates and updates data in in-house databases for digital project production. Regularly consults senior staff when record inconsistencies are noted.