Shelby White and Leon Levy Digital Archives and Collections Specialist

JOB TITLE: Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives and Collections Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Collections

REPORTS TO: Head of Cataloging and Archives

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

DATE: January 2026

SALARY: $88000

Note:This positionrequiresacover letterfor consideration. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Head of Cataloging and Archives the Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives and Collections Specialist is a key member of the project team supporting the Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives Initiative at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The initiatives primary objective is to establish an institution-wide digital asset management system (DAMS) that will incorporate both born digital and digitized museum collections and institutional archives.

The Digital Archives and Collections Specialist serves as the manager of digital museum collections and archives and will lead the effort to establish and implement policies governing their organization documentation management and preservation. The Digital Archives and Collections Specialist will also play an important role in the development of the DAMS that will serve as the institutions repository for digital content. This is a full-time at will employment position. Currently funding for this position is established for a period of two years with the possibility for extension after those two years.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museums permanent collection is an unparalleled repository consisting of material evidence first-person testimony and historical records of the response to the February 26 1993 and September 11 2001 terrorist attacks and their ongoing repercussions. To date the Museum has acquired more than 55000 digital objects including photographs moving images oral histories and artworks that document the lives and experiences of 9/11 victims survivors and first responders. The Museum also collects digital archives and has begun to assemble an institutional archive documenting the organizations history.

Note: This is a grant-funded position with a fixed term ending June 2028.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Processes all newly acquired digital collection objects and archives.
• Documents workflows for digitization accessioning digital materials and digital preservation actions.
• Identifies and procures tools equipment and software necessary for long-term digital preservation of digital museum collections; works with IT as needed to install and maintain digital preservation software.
• Maintains digital preservation and digitization hardware software and maintenance contracts. Plans for growth and replacement and develops annual digital preservation budget.
• Manages and maintains digital collections currently stored on department servers and in relevant databases.
• Provides guidance to curators and donors regarding preferred file formats and best practices for intaking digital content.
• Oversees the digitization of collections as needed. Includes in-house scanning of scan and return materials and vendor-provided digitization of analog materials. Coordinates shipments to vendors and donors.
• Develops and implements strategies for strengthening the documentation and preservation of existing digital collections.

• Facilitates the access and use of digital collections for purposes of research education loan and exhibition.
• Stays current on digital preservation best practices and updates in-house standards and workflows as needed.

• In collaboration with the Digital Asset Manager and Head of Cataloging and Archives develops and implements metadata standards and controlled vocabularies for documenting digital collections in the Museums collections management system CollectiveAccess.
• In collaboration with the Digital Asset Manager and Head of Cataloging and Archives develops policies procedures and workflows for the receipt organization description storage access and long-term preservation of digital objects and archives.
• Supports the Digital Asset Manager with the preparation and ingest of material into the DAMS.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIREMENT

• A graduate degree in library and information science digital archiving or a related field.
• A minimum of five years experience as a digital archivist or digital asset manager.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice including experience processing digital objects and archives.
• Strong command of digital preservation standards and best practices; experience implementing the National Digital Stewardship Alliances Levels of Digital Preservation.
• Comfortable using command line tools; some coding experience (ideally Python) preferred.
• Experience with digital asset taxonomy and metadata and knowledge of relevant standards for archival description.
• Extensive knowledge of digital formats (image audio video text) and best practices for their documentation and preservation.
• In-depth knowledge of relational collections management systems as well as archiving and digital preservation systems and standalone tools; experience with DAMS software a plus.
• Familiarity with digital storage media and digital collections storage best practices.
• Ability to liaise with vendors on digital preservation software implementation and problem solving.
• Experience conducting or overseeing a digital asset inventory using related tools.
• Experience or familiarity with records management a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate and work effectively within and across department boundaries in an organization and with a variety of digital collection stakeholders.
• This positionrequiresacover letterfor consideration. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EVENTS

• Participate in the Annual 5K Fundraiser and 9/11 Commemoration as assigned.
• Assist with other special projects and events in support of 9/11 Memorial & Museum as assigned.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements of the role will receive consideration without regard to their race color religion sex sexual orientation age national origin disability status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and other accommodation needs under applicable law. If you are an individual with a legally recognized accommodation need and require assistance during the application process please contact Ronni Cantor at with your specific accommodation request.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to an organizational culture that supports and reinforces our institutional values including our commitment to inclusive representation. We are committed to reflecting the unique experiences of the nearly 3000 victims who were killed indiscriminately in the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks and the wider communities impacted in lower Manhattan at the Pentagon and near Shanksville PA.

Required Experience:

IC