Audiovisual Archivist, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, MO

As an AUDIOVISUAL ARCHIVIST, GS-1420-12, your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Works independently in identifying, arranging and reviewing donated AV materials, and makes withdrawals or redactions, as necessary, in consultation with the Supervisory Archivist.
• Plans and directs the arrangement of AV materials from presidential papers and other donated materials and from federal records, including those that are totally disarranged, misfiled, for which the provenance is unclear, or in need of special preservation and/or temperature controlled storage. Assists with the implementation of the Holdings Management System (HMS) for AV materials.
• Assesses researcher and archival needs and determines priorities for developing finding aids for AV materials. Establishes standards for description of withdrawn AV materials and monitors compliance. Conducts or oversees research necessary for accurate and complete descriptions, and prepares appropriate introductory narratives and other archival finding aids, as well as digitized AV materials themselves, for posting in the NARA Catalog, the Truman Library website, and in other appropriate research platforms. Explores copyright issues concerning films and video prior to placing online. Works with appropriate NARA units in developing formats for electronic finding aids, databases, and web pages for use by researchers.
• Applies preservation techniques and implements strategies for still pictures, motion pictures, video and audio tape materials. Identifies preservation needs and researches new approaches to preservation problems. Conducts and oversees the AV preservation program within the Library to include cold and temperature control storage, digital storage, reformatting techniques, and administration of AV preservation funds. Creates and updates inventories that list films sent off site for cold storage and digital preservation by NARA and vendors.
• Provides reference service in response to regular and complex e-mail, phone, and written requests for information primarily regarding the Library’s motion picture/video collection, photographic/still pictures, and audio tapes. Monitors the audiovisual and main Research Rooms and provides orientation and assistance for on-site researchers, determining what material is available for research and explaining research rules. Assists researchers in the use of finding aids and other indices. Works with researchers and performs searches for White House, congressional, and agency requests for information and documents. For complex AV reference requests, serves as the Library’s primary authority for assisting and responding to or completing the assignment.
• Conducts occasional tours of the Library and explains the work of the Library for professional and civic groups, undergraduate and graduate classes, and the general public; works with local colleges and universities in providing training and class instruction to undergraduate and graduate classes on historical research methodologies and the use of primary source AV materials; represents the Library at professional archival meetings and in dealings with the national media to include printed, television, and documentary film crews and personalities with interest in the AV and photographic holdings of the Library; provides information and assistance to other archival institutions and professionals on the preservation and handling of AV materials; serves within the library system and NARA as a resource for information about archival issues such as digitization for public access and preservation; assists the museum staff with the planning and preparation of museum temporary and permanent exhibits involving AV materials from the Library’s holdings; assists with information regarding AV holdings for exhibits in other presidential libraries and outside institutions, as well as with planning and preparing Library and NARA online exhibits.
• Assists with performance targets and participates in examining and evaluating work processes; oversees the work of interns and volunteers; develops and maintains electronic databases and inventories for tracking reference requests and preservation work; responds to internal NARA requests for information; assists the Director, Deputy Director, and Supervisory Archivist on budget issues relating to AV functions, and on special projects as needed; recommends and reviews acquisition programs for AV donated historical materials; and assists in the solicitation, accessioning, and deeding process for donated AV materials.