Digital Collections Specialist
Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at the University of British Columbia (UBC)

Location: Vancouver, BC
Compensation: $5,468.83 - $7,878.17 CAD Monthly

The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam people). With a mandate to support access to residential school records for Survivors, their families and communities, IRSHDC prioritizes respectful, Indigenous-led and trauma-informed research, information practice and education. It facilitates critical dialogue about the Indian Residential School system, seeking to engage the UBC community and the broader public on the origins, effects and ongoing legacy of the schools. IRSHDC has an active oral testimony program in service to Indigenous nations and is developing digital systems and spaces of inquiry to model a new platform for information stewardship.

Description and Duties    

The Digital Collections Specialist manages IRSHDC's archival collection. They develop and implement policies, procedures and standards related to the acquisition, management and access of primarily digital archival records. They oversee the appraisal, accessioning, processing, arrangement, description and deaccessioning of digital and physical records and manage IRSHDC's digitization program. The Digital Collections Specialist will also design, develop and implement IRSHDC's digital preservation program. The successful candidate will be responsible for the Centre's collections website and will play a leading role in improving the Centre's digital and interactive systems and its information infrastructure.

Organizational Status

The Digital Collections Specialist reports to the Collections Manager. They work in close collaboration with the collections team as well as with research and archives staff at external institutions such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Library and Archives Canada and the Royal BC Museum.

Work Performed

• Oversees the Centre's archival collection; undertakes long-term planning for the collection and develops and implements policies, procedures and standards related to the acquisition, management and access of primarily digital records.
• Manages relations with individual and organizational donors; produces memoranda of understanding with partner institutions to facilitate the acquisition of records.
• Oversees the appraisal, accessioning, processing, arrangement, description and deaccessioning of digital and physical records.
• Develops and maintains protocols in the storage, access and use of IRSHDC's analogue collection.
• Oversees authority control in the online content management system.
• Responds to records-related inquiries from Survivors, their families and researchers.
• Manages IRSHDC's digitization program.
• Designs, implements and oversees a digital preservation program.
• Manages the collections website; plans and oversees enhancements to the site.
• Designs and oversees the development of digital exhibitions and other curatorial initiatives.
• Plays a leading role in the improvement and expansion of IRSHDC's digital and interactive systems and its information infrastructure.
• Plans, executes and reports on special archival projects.
• May represent IRSHDC at wider community events.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Digital Collections Specialist will exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact in working with Survivors and their families; faculty, staff, and students; the general public; and counterparts at other institutions. Good judgment in the assessment of materials is imperative, as are organizational skills and attention to detail. Errors, poor judgment and inappropriate decisions can negatively impact Survivors and their families; faculty, staff, and students; and the general public along with IRSHDC's partner institutions. Errors may also impede IRSHDC's work and ultimately result in ineffective or inadequate displays of public information. Misidentification of usage rights on materials may create legal exposure for IRSHDC and university.

Supervision Received: Works with limited direction under the direction of the Collections Manager or designate.

Supervision Given: Supervises contractors, students and interns. Provides instruction to graduate students.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in archival studies (MAS) preferred; dual graduate degree in archival and library studies an asset.
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field preferred (Indigenous studies, history with an Indigenous concentration, etc.). Additional subject-related master's degree advantageous.
• Experience in an archival environment an asset.
• Experience working with at least one archival metadata standard (ISAD(G), RAD, EAD, etc.); familiarity with other types of standards (RDA, MARC21, CDWA, etc.) a plus.
• Experience working with an archival online content management system, including undertaking authority control.
• Experience with archival research; curatorial experience an asset.
• Knowledge of the Indian Residential School system, its history and ongoing legacy and that of allied colonial institutions such as child welfare and healthcare.
• Commitment to an Indigenous- and Survivor-centred approach to archival work and service; prior experience working with Survivors and their families preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of Indigenous-led projects and initiatives that challenge dominant archival policy, practices and procedures.
• Familiarity with Indigenous data sovereignty, approaches to intellectual property and the development of ethics as applied to Indigenous-related research and records.
• Familiarity with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Copyright Act.
• Demonstrated leadership skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and with changing priorities, including demonstrated self-care skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with staff members and to work in teams in a way that is empowering to team-mates.
• Demonstrated experience with collaborative planning, organizing and coordinating.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including cultural agility and active listening.
• Commitment to self-discovery and awareness and sustained learning and development, particularly with regard to Indigenous people's histories in Canada and the development of trauma-informed practices.
• Superior and creative problem-solving ability, including applying advanced analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent organizational abilities; meticulous attention to detail.
• Sound judgment, tact and discretion.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Application information

Please apply using the UBC careers' website: https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcstaffjobs/job/Digital-Collections-Specialist_JR13605

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. (PST)  on Thursday, August 3, 2023