What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Registrar, Digital Resources position at RISD - Rhode Island School of Design?
Job Summary
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks an Associate Registrar, Digital Resources to join the RISD Museum.
The Associate Registrar, Digital Resources supports key pillars of the Museum’s strategic plan by engaging communities through access to collections and exhibitions and contributing to the transformation of Museum digital spaces. This position manages and facilitates the Museum’s digital asset resources (including but not limited to images, videos, documents, and digital collection objects) with specific responsibilities for administering the Museum’s digital asset management system, coordinating digital asset creation, licensing all necessary external digital assets, and advising Museum departments on intellectual property issues. The Associate Registrar, Digital Resources assists with the management of the Museum’s historic and current collection documentation records, physical and digital.
We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
Essential Functions:
- Administer the Museum’s digital asset management system (DAMS) of over 300,000 assets, through uploading assets to the DAMS, linking assets to records in the collection management system, linking assets to the content management system (website), creating and maintaining metadata schema, creating and maintaining user permissions, onboarding and training new and existing users, enforcing file naming conventions, and keeping asset standards up to date. Maintain relationship with the DAMS vendor and stay current on new releases and updates. Initiate file and metadata cleanup projects as needed. In conjunction with other registration staff, manage historic collection records and pursue strategies for their digitization.
- Partner with teams across the Museum to collaborate on projects that interface with the DAMS, helping develop the Museum's digital systems and processes from planning through implementation. Collaborates and coordinates with the Digital Media and Design teams and on how assets and metadata are delivered to the website and making assets accessible to a broad public.
- Manage the rights and licensing of digital assets for publication by the Museum in print publications, digital publications, advertisements, social media posts, and other Museum projects. Negotiate copyright permission with rights holders and negotiate the terms of licensing agreements.
- Coordinate all Museum collection, program, and event photography from scheduling to on-time asset delivery. Manage interdepartmental workflow to meet deadlines and best use the photography studio’s time. Hire and pay outside photographers when necessary.
- Receive and process all requests for existing and new digital images, video and audio media, from both internal and external users in an efficient manner. Deliver assets with caption and credit information.
- Advise all Museum departments on intellectual property. Regularly evaluate and update the Museum’s Open Access policy, Visitor Documentation Policy, and all release forms. Work with RISD General Counsel when needed.
- Prepare, execute, and archive all Photography and Location Agreements needed for outside documentation in the Museum galleries.
- Coordinate with the Processing Photographer and all staff involved in digital capture through regular check-ins. Participate in the Museum’s Creative Production team.
- Supervise department work study students, THAD students, and interns.
- Maintain knowledge of current developments in the field of museum digital asset management and make recommendations to Museum management for improvements and upgrades.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
- Bachelor's degree in library science, archives, art history, photography or a related field with a minimum of three years relevant experience.
- Experience with a digital asset management system including managing assets, metadata, roles, permissions and training colleagues.
- Experience with cultural heritage information standards and best practices, digital imaging technology, collection management software, and document management.
- An understanding of basic intellectual property law and how it applies to cultural heritage institutions.
- Document management experience in both physical and digital formats.
- Knowledge of a museum environment, specifically the roles of various collection staff including object handling.
- Ability to evaluate the quality of art object images.
- Experience in the delivery of assets and metadata from a digital asset management system to other platforms, including but not limited to websites.
- Experience in identifying, evaluating, recommending software enhancements and tools for digital asset management.
- Basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop and/or CaptureOne software, Adobe Premier, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and respond to many stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree or above in library science, archives, art history, photography or a related field.
Union:
No
Work Schedule:
35 hours per week; 12 months per year
Employment Status:
Full-time; Exempt; Regular
Grade:
530EX
Work Modality
Hybrid-Flexible
Documents Needed to Apply:
Resume (Required)
Cover Letter (Required)
Salary Grade Structure
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.
The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
For internal use only - Job Family:
Museum Registration
