Summary
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in The National Museum of African Art (NMAfA), Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI).
Duties
The Digital Imaging Specialist leads the integration of digital imaging operations within digital collections workflows. This position applies advanced professional expertise in cultural heritage imaging, workflow analysis, metadata coordination, quality assurance, digital asset lifecycle management, and enterprise systems integration. The specialist develops and implements sustainable, scalable workflows that enhance operational consistency, improve efficiency, support access and preservation objectives, and strengthen the long-term stewardship of digital collections. In this position, you will: Serve as the Museum lead technical specialist for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating digital imaging activities in support of collections, archives, and public access. Provide specialized professional digital imaging services for museum and archival collections that require individualized technical approaches based on format, condition, preservation needs, intended use, and institutional standards. Analyze, develop, document, implement, and improve digital imaging processes that support efficient digital collections workflows throughout the Museum. Serve as the Museum lead point of contact for digital imaging workflows, technical documentation, digital asset lifecycle management, and related operational issues affecting collections stewardship. Develop and deliver technical guidance, training, and user-oriented documentation supporting consistent implementation of digital imaging and digital collections workflows throughout the Museum.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
How you will be evaluated
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria: Knowledge of the theories, methods, and standard practices governing digital photography, digital asset management and preservation, and workflow analysis as applied within a museum environment. Knowledge of museum collections management systems, enterprise digital asset management platforms, archival information systems, and associated digital imaging technologies and techniques that improve digital imaging and digital collections workflows supporting Museum operations. Knowledge to evaluate operational requirements, develop practical workflow solutions, interpret professional standards, and integrate digital imaging activities with Museum and Smithsonian systems. Knowledge of museum operational functions and collaborative practices sufficient to work effectively with curatorial, archival, registration, conservation, collections management, information technology, and administrative stakeholders in developing and implementing integrated digital collections workflows. Knowledge of professional standards governing cultural heritage imaging, sufficient to evaluate image quality, establish technical requirements, and ensure compliance with institutional and professional imaging standards. Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. You may preview questions for this vacancy.