Collection Digitisation Officer

Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change 

About Collections Enhancement Project

The Collection Enhancement Project (CEP) is a 10-year project that aims to register and digitise the AM’s biological, geological, and cultural collections. This includes registering all collection material in the digital collection management system, photographing cultural collection materials, barcoding, supporting community consultation activities and enhancing documentation and metadata.

The AM’s Cultural Collections are located across several AM sites. The AM’s Cultural Collection Enhancement Project (CCEP) includes work across six collections: (1) Pasifika Cultural Collections (2) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands Cultural Collection; (3) Aboriginal Archaeology Collections; (4) World Cultures Collection; (5) Archives; and (6) Rare Books Library.

About the Role

We are currently recruiting two 4 year- fixed term project roles commencing in February 2024. One is full time 35 hours a week and another one is part time 28 hours per week.  

The Collection Digitisation Officers create high quality digital assets of collection items using a range of photographic/imaging/video equipment and associated software. Digital assets produced will deliver electronic access to the collections and support long term preservation of the digital collection. The Collection Digitisation Officers facilitate the delivery of digital imaging, video, and photographic services as part of the Collection Enhancement Project.

Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM

• Role Description 
• AM Candidate Pack

You will be paid a competitive annual salary of $79,032 – $86,539, pro-rata for part time role, plus the employer’s contribution to superannuation (currently 11%) and annual leave loading. 

About you

We are seeking a highly skilled professional museum collections photographer to work with our team at the Australian Museum digitising the Cultural Collection.

You will have:

• Photography experience working with technical requirements of large-scale digitisation projects or museum collection documentation or similar. 
• Understanding of culturally appropriate collection practices and cultural awareness to perform work processes that are culturally aware and appropriate.  
• Capacity to embed Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protocols (ICIP) into work practice.

Knowledge & Experience

• Relevant technical qualifications and/or professional experience covering archival and documentary photography/imaging/video of heritage materials using professional photographic, video and scanning equipment.
• Experience with colour management, digital files, metadata and use of capture and processing software on both Windows and Macintosh platforms.
• Experience and in-depth understanding of digital asset and digital image management processes and systems and experience working with technical requirements of large-scale digitisation projects.

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. 

Recent staff survey results confirm that our staff feel valued, accepted and supported and that they believe the AM is an inclusive workplace. AM staff also report a high level of job satisfaction. 

The AM is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people and acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.

Check out our current exhibitions and events here. 

The AM supports a diverse workforce and promotes applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disabilities.

Benefits  

Besides working together with other like-minded people passionate about the Earth and all its wonders, you will have access to:  

• Dedicated Wellbeing programs 
• Career development and opportunities across the NSW Public Service. 

How to apply    

Applicants must submit (if submitted as an attachment, please upload as a PDF):

1. A one to two page covering letter which outlines your suitability for the role
2. Resume

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer two targeted questions.

1. Describe a mass digitisation project, photography brief or museum project that you have worked on, detailing the project type, scale and complexity, the technology used, the objectives, your role, as well as the aims successfully realised. (350 words maximum)
2. Please give us an example of how you contribute to team goals and meet agreed work or project standards. (350 words maximum)

For more details, Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply for the role go to I Work for NSW.  

The successful applicant will be subject to national criminal records check and will need to show proof of at least two COVID-19 vaccination doses. 

Contact person: Meredith Lynch Underwood, Cultural Collections Enhancement Manager  meredith.lynchunderwood@australian.museum  

Inclusive and welcoming 

The Australian Museum is an NSW Public Service organisation and aims to attract and retain the right people for the right jobs. The AM is a diverse and inclusive workplace where genuine participation and contribution is enabled, and everyone, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances is valued, accepted and supported to thrive at work.

This means that we are embedding diversity and inclusion in everything we do on a daily basis, whether it be our recruitment processes, workplace culture, career development programs, customer service or policies and procedures. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment process to better enable you to shine, please reach out to the contact person or note this in your application.