Director, Digital Preservation, Libraries and Cultural Resources

Position Description

Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary invites applications for a full-time continuing position as Director, Digital Preservation, at the rank of Associate Librarian to facilitate long-term preservation of digitized and born-digital materials.  The anticipated start date August 1, 2021.       

Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) is a leader in the development of innovative information resources and services, locally, nationally and internationally. In a converged environment, it successfully incorporates the resources and services of libraries, institutional and research archives, rare books and special collections, art galleries, and a university press to provide outstanding support for scholarship, learning, and the creation of knowledge. 

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, Technology, Discovery and Digital Services, the Director, Digital Preservation will play a central role in managing a digital preservation program and is responsible for creating and maintaining policies, procedures, workflows, and strategies related to digital preservation projects and practices. The incumbent will facilitate access and long-term preservation to digitized and born-digital materials, work with stakeholders across LCR and the University to assess, develop and enhance preservation services, and optimize workflows.  

As an academic staff position, appropriate participation and involvement in scholarship, teaching and service is expected.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development, documentation, implementation and maintenance of policies and standards for digital preservation including: digital preservation plan, digital preservation policy, workflows and documentation, and archival storage plan
• Work with subject experts on campus and in LCR specifically to identify and develop strategic projects for preservation
• With Library Technology, support the implementation of appropriate storage strategy and environments for preservation and access and monitor preservation storage environments
• Administer the digital preservation management system
• Create training materials and train staff on preservation system usage
• With the Digital Metadata Librarian and the Electronic Records Archivist, implement and manage the metadata model and vocabularies for digital preservation
• Lead the working group on digital preservation
• Advocate for the digital preservation program within LCR and with the University at large
• Provide education and outreach to LCR units about the value of and need for digital preservation practice throughout an asset's lifecycle
• Advise and assist faculty, researchers and students on projects that require digital preservation strategies
• Participate in local, regional and national digital preservation initiatives and projects.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master's degree or a Masters in Archival Studies or equivalent combination of a relevant advanced degree and experience
• At least 3 years in an increasingly responsible position in  the management, digitization, and preservation of archival materials, born digital and digitized
• Experience with the practical application of the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) reference model
• Familiarity with the operation of digital preservation repository systems Experience with XML, including schemas used in preservation such as METS and PREMIS
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English
• Experience and comfort working in groups
• Demonstrated affinity for technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to think independently and work collaboratively within and across organizational boundaries in order to achieve shared goals
• Familiarity with systems commonly used for archives information management workflows, 

Position will commensurate with qualifications and experience, at the rank of Associate Librarian. The salary range for the rank of Associate Librarian is $71,084 to $99,679 per annum. The University of Calgary's comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members through coverage for health, dental, life insurance, income protection for disability, and retirement income planning. For salary and benefits information, please refer to: https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/sites/default/files/teams/239/tucfa-ca.pdf 

Application Procedure 

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the Apply Now link. Please submit a letter of application addressing background and experience relevant to the position, a current curriculum vitae and the contact information for three professional references, in one PDF.   

Consideration of applications will continue until the position is filled.

For further information, please contact: 

Susan Powelson,
Associate University Librarian 
Libraries and Cultural Resources University of Calgary 
2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 
[email protected] 

Business and Work Location: 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

Additional Information

To view a listing of all available academic opportunities and to find out more about what the University of Calgary has to offer, please visit our Academic Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.