Collections Photographer

The Hoover Institution Library & Archives seeks experienced candidates who are passionate about cultural heritage imaging and professional growth. The Collections Photographer will be responsible for digitizing collection material while following the Library & Archives’ image capture guidelines and specifications to support our mass digitization efforts and other digital projects across the Institution. 

Under the general direction of the Digital Imaging Manager, the Collections Photographer will collaborate with team members as well as cross departmental colleagues to determine the most appropriate approach to photographing various materials and perform quality assurance checks on the work of other photographers and imaging specialists within the department. The lab will be relocated into a state-of-the-art digitization space in the newly constructed George P. Shultz Building. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join a growing team and work on a variety of unique collections. 

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application for full consideration. 

About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution: The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs.

With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity.

About the Hoover Institution Library & Archives at Stanford University:  

Since its founding in 1919, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives has served as a platform for a vibrant community of scholars and a broad public interested in the meaning and role of history. Located in the heart of the Stanford University campus, the Library & Archives is home to more than 6000 manuscript collections and one million library volumes containing the most important materials on war, revolution, and peace, and social, political, and economic change from the late 19th century to the present day. Its mission to collect, preserve, describe and make available for research and discovery records of enduring value continues to this day through proactive care, conservation, and description practices. Access to its collections is free and open to the public in its reading room and new strategic digital initiatives are actively ensuring global access to key collections anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Visit www.hoover.org/library-archives to learn more.
JOB PURPOSE:

Under general direction, responsible and accountable for the successful use and deployment of digital media technology in a school or unit.
Produce high-quality digital surrogates of fragile and/or rare materials or other analog sources for access, display, and preservation purposes using a variety of equipment. Interface with internal and external clients requesting digital media equipment, support, and/or consultation. 

CORE DUTIES*: 

• Collaborate with clients to determine project appropriate medium and plan production.
• Research, prepare and produce digital media for training, documentation, and other communicative purposes for both internal and external audiences.
• Diagnose and resolve digital media system problems. May also perform various hardware, software, peripheral, and networking technical assistance.
• Research, recommend, and implement hardware and software configurations to meet client needs and to help ensure compatibility with university systems and architecture.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot on a variety of equipment including but not limited to; camera systems and digitization equipment such as flatbed scanners, medium format cameras, planetary scanners, or book scanners.
• Maintain and ensure proper operation of all equipment and perform repairs and cleaning of digital media equipment
• May act as liaison with vendors ensuring scheduling costs, and requirements are met
  

ADDITIONAL CORE DUTIES*: 

• Track progress for digitization projects using tools such as Smartsheet and Trello.
• Handle rare or fragile originals skillfully to prevent damage.
• Participate in development and documentation of internal operating procedures.
• Assist other photographers as necessary. 

*The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.  Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.  Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

•  Demonstrated technical experience using digital media equipment, video creation, editing software, and/or digital media control software.
•  Knowledge in production techniques including videography, compression and file delivery.
• Experience with live streaming events.
• Knowledge of camera, lighting, sound and editing.
• Understanding of online video environment and online distribution.
• Ability to adapt equipment setup and provide alternative setup or workarounds if necessary.
• Good interpersonal skills, judgment, and diplomacy required to interact effectively with and provide customer service to a broad audience.
•  Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Effective time management skills. 

Desired/Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience working in a library, archive, museum, or similar environment handling artwork or archival material
• Working knowledge of medium format digital cameras, lenses, color management, and quality control.
• Knowledge of RAW processing software such as Capture One, tethered camera capture, and the ability to problem solve common technical issues.
• Familiarity with FADGI guidelines and other best practices and workflows for the digitization of cultural heritage material.
• Strong visual acuity with a keen eye for color and composition.
• Preparedness to work in a rapid capture, mass digitization production-oriented environment.
• Ability to work under deadlines
• Demonstrated problem solving abilities. 

Certifications and Licenses:

Valid California Non-commercial Driver's License

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Rarely work with materials and books in places that may be dusty and moldy.
• Learn and develop appropriate hand skills for handling a variety of cultural heritage materials.
• Frequently twist; grasp lightly; lift and carry objects that weight up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, writing by hand, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other).
• Visual acuity including color vision.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class license. 

*Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings, and weekends.
May have exposure to high voltage electricity, noise > 80dB TWA, confined spaces, and working at heights above 10 feet.

The expected pay range for this position is $64,480 - $86,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

WORK STANDARDS:

•  When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
•  Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients as well as with external organizations.
•  Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .
  The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.