Image Quality Analyst

Job Description

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform professional color correction and image enhancement to optimize color, contrast, exposure, brightness, shadows, highlights, and overall tonal balance for print and digital reproduction.
• Adjust RGB images and accurately convert them to CMYK color space for newspaper pagination and press production.
• Utilize industry-standard color management and imaging software to optimize image quality while accounting for press characteristics, including dot gain and ink limitations.
• Ensure all images meet established quality standards while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original photograph.
• Resize, crop, retouch, restore, and prepare images for publication, including black-and-white obituary photographs.
• Repair and enhance poorly exposed, damaged, or unbalanced photographs to improve visual quality.
• Maintain consistent color accuracy across multiple output devices, monitors, and media formats.
• Collaborate closely with the Imaging Manager, editors, designers, and production staff to ensure images support editorial and creative objectives.
• Verify that all images comply with production deadlines and quality standards after publication.

Additional Responsibilities

• Stay current with emerging imaging technologies, Adobe Creative Cloud updates, color management techniques, and industry best practices.
• Participate in editorial reviews, production meetings, and post-production discussions to continuously improve image quality and workflow.
• Develop and maintain custom color treatments, presets, or workflows for recurring projects, publications, or brand standards.
• Ensure visual consistency across print, digital, and other publishing platforms.
• Support editorial and creative teams in achieving the intended visual and emotional impact of published content.
• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop is required.
• Strong understanding of color correction, color theory, tonal adjustments, and image enhancement techniques.
• Working knowledge of RGB and CMYK color spaces, ICC color profiles, and professional color management workflows.
• Experience preparing images for commercial or newspaper press production.
• Knowledge of press dot gain and its effect on image reproduction.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Adobe Photoshop proficiency
• Digital image editing and retouching
• Professional color correction and color grading
• RGB to CMYK conversion and color management
• Image restoration and enhancement
• Image sizing, cropping, and optimization
• Understanding of prepress production processes
• Knowledge of press reproduction standards and dot gain

Professional Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail
• Strong visual judgment and artistic sensibility
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Ability to interpret and execute creative direction
• Collaborative team player with a customer-service mindset
• Adaptability in a fast-paced production environment
• Critical thinking and sound decision-making skills
• Patience, focus, and accuracy under pressure
• Receptive to constructive feedback and continuous improvement

Working Environment

This position operates in a deadline-driven newsroom and production environment where accuracy, efficiency, and collaboration are essential. The Imaging Technician must consistently produce high-quality work while managing multiple priorities and meeting strict publication deadlines.

The annual salary for this role is $55,000 - $65,000.

This range reflects the band for this role. We are committed to fair and market-informed compensation. It is anticipated that most qualified candidates could be hired within the midpoint of the range. Compensation for the successful candidate will be informed by their particular combination of skills, experience, and qualifications.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

EEO Statement: At Boston Globe Media, our mission is to empower, connect, and convene our communities with independent, trusted journalism and storytelling. We know a critical part of achieving this is by having a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. Boston Globe Media is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes candidates and colleagues of all backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and skills.