AUDIO PRESERVATION ENGINEER, Northeast Document Conservation Center (Andover, MA, USA)
The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) is expanding its digital audio preservation service for libraries, archives, and museums. This service builds upon NEDCC’s successful implementation of “IRENE,” the IMLS-funded optical scanning technology developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Library of Congress for digitizing grooved audio carriers. NEDCC is investing in the additional facilities, equipment, and staffing to offer reformatting of audio content on magnetic and other obsolete media using more traditional approaches. NEDCC acknowledges the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for underwriting both the audio business planning for, and the implementation of, its full audio preservation service.
Position Summary: NEDCC is seeking an experienced audio preservation professional to serve on its expanded Audio Preservation Services team. The new Audio Preservation Engineer will use both the IRENE technology and traditional methods for digitally reformatting obsolete audio carriers, such as analog tapes, digital audio tapes, discs, cylinders, and unusual formats (e.g., tin foils, Dictabelts, etc.). NEDCC’s service will help fill a much-needed niche of providing 1:1 transfers with 100% quality control, particularly for those highly-valued collections that deserve a specialized (rather than high-throughput) workflow. Because NEDCC is a conservation center, its service will also place emphasis on the preservation of the carrier as well as its audio contents. In addition to digitization, NEDCC will offer collection- and item-level surveys, cleaning, treatment, and re-housing using vetted and transparent (i.e., non-proprietary) approaches.
Responsibilities: The Audio Preservation Engineer reports directly to the Manager of Audio Preservation Services, and is responsible for:
rigorously following best practices for digital audio preservation of degrading media on highly obsolete formats;
identifying legacy carriers and their formatting and playback characteristics;
cleaning, repairing, stabilizing and re-housing of original carriers;
performing post-processing functions consistent with best archival practice;
strictly following quality control procedures;
carefully aligning/calibrating playback machines;
regularly verifying signal chain performance;
collecting extensive data on both the source recordings and the transfer process for project documentation;
achieving quality and productivity goals;
updating daily production data in NEDCC’s workflow tracking software;
collaborating with colleagues to continuously improve quality and workflows; and
staying abreast of the latest developments in the audio preservation field by maintaining membership in professional and related associations such as IASA, AES, and ARSC.
Qualifications: Applicants should have:
1) Bachelor’s degree in audio engineering, audio production, or related field;
2) detailed knowledge of, and hands-on experience in, all aspects of digitally preserving audio collections;
3) knowledge of legacy audio formats;
4) ability to perform basic maintenance and calibration of current and obsolete audio playback equipment;
5) excellent listening skills;
6) meticulous attention to detail;
7) demonstrated ability to work under deadlines in a production-oriented environment; and
exceptional problem-solving skills.It is anticipated that the Audio Preservation Services department will receive an increasingly steady amount of work from large to small institutions as well as private clients whose primary concerns are quality of deliverables and care in handling. The department is projected to grow to full capacity over a three- to five-year timeline and be able to accommodate projects of most sizes and any complexity. In addition to the services referenced above, NEDCC will continue to explore and develop other specialty services to meet the needs of the library, archives, and museum communities. About NEDCC Founded in 1973, NEDCC is the first independent conservation laboratory in the United States to specialize exclusively in treating collections made of paper or parchment, such as works of art, books, photographs, maps, manuscripts, etc.
Application Process NEDCC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Salary and benefits are competitive. This position will remain open until filled. To apply, please send cover letter and resume in PDF to Bryce Roe, Manager of Audio Preservation Services, at broe@nedcc.org.