Digital Imaging Specialist

Description: The Western Reserve Historical Society, located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, is seeking a full-time Digital Imaging Specialist to join our library digital team. The position will support a four-year grant-funded initiative to digitize collections documenting local Jewish history. The Digital Imaging Specialist will be responsible for producing high-quality, standards-compliant digital surrogates of archival documents, photographic prints and negatives, microfilm, bound items, and other collection materials, with a particular focus on operating and maintaining WRHS’s Phase One camera imaging system. This position is ideal for an imaging professional with hands-on experience in a library, archive, museum, or other cultural heritage environment who combines strong technical skills with an understanding of project management and collection care.

The Cleveland Jewish Archives of the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) was established in cooperation with the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland in 1976. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, and make accessible documents, photographs, memorabilia, art, and artifacts related to the Jewish community of Northeast Ohio. The collection includes manuscripts, photographs, microfilm, newspaper collections, and audiovisual recordings.

Western Reserve Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Jewish Federation and The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in making this position possible.

Responsibility

Responsible to the Digital Archives & Preservation Manager

Classification

This position is classified as temporary, full-time, professional, and is exempt with regard to overtime compensation.

Coordination

• Works closely with the Digital Archives Manager and Library staff to facilitate the reformatting of physical collections and manage the digital lifecycle of digitized objects.
• Coordinates with WRHS teams to support institutional priorities for collections management, exhibitions, public programs, special events, and educational programs.
• Coordinates with external partners and third-party vendors to support digitization projects and other Digital WRHS initiatives.

Supervision

Supervises interns and volunteers as needed.

Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains the camera imaging system and related software to photograph a wide range of collection materials, including manuscript documents, photographic prints and negatives, bound items, microfilm, ephemera, and other collection materials.
• Performs routine equipment maintenance, color calibration, and troubleshooting to ensure camera systems and components are fully functional.
• Applies FADGI guidelines and industry best practices for still image digitization, ensuring appropriate resolution, color accuracy, bit depth, and file formats for each material type.
• Conducts quality control of digitized images to verify consistency, completeness, and adherence to project standards.
• Coordinates with the library digital team to prioritize and prepare materials for digitization, including accurate production records for tracking materials through the imaging workflow.
• Contributes to grant-reporting activities by communicating project progress, production challenges, material conditions, imaging metrics, and workflow needs.
• Assists in developing, documenting, and refining imaging workflows as the project progresses.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned by the Digital Archives & Preservation Manager, including potential for cross-training on metadata creation to support description workflows.

Qualifications

• Experience: One year or more of hands-on experience working in a cultural heritage institution, including knowledge of basic preservation and handling techniques for rare and fragile items.
• Knowledge of FADGI guidelines and current best practices for digitizing cultural heritage materials, handling fragile or rare materials, and editing software.
• Familiarity with the MODS metadata schema and how different metadata types (e.g., administrative, descriptive, technical, structural) support digital collections management.
• Ability to work independently, manage a sustained production workflow, and meet project milestones over a multi-year initiative. Experience using Airtable database software desired.
• Ability to be proactive, flexible, and collaborative to accomplish library and institutional goals.
• Excellent written and verbal skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

Salary Range

$43,000 - $45,000 in addition to the following benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• paid time off

NOTE: This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent on the annual renewal and availability of grant funds. Expected length of the project is four years; however, project may run shorter or longer.