Digitization Technician, Entomology

Job Description: Digitization Technician, Entomology

Start Date: Immediately

Digitization Project with Picturae:

Excited about museum collections and the opportunity to “bug” out in a nationally renowned Entomology collection? At an ongoing project in Washington, DC, Picturae is looking for an applicant that has a passion for collection accessibility, biodiversity, and digital preservation to join our digitization team. At Picturae, we are dedicated to developing cutting-edge digitization methods to assist institutions in preserving their unique specimens and sharing their collections with the world! If you are interested in diving further into the field of digitization and working behind-the-scenes at a DC institution, we want to hear from you!

About the Position:

Picturae is looking to hire one Digitization Technician to join our ongoing entomology digitization project in Washington, DC. As a member of the Picturae team, you will be directly responsible for the day-to-day hands-on digitization of a one-of-a-kind entomology collection. You will be responsible for meeting daily production goals, maintaining digitization specifications, and following all museum procedures and standards. Roll your sleeves up for daily handling of hundreds of pinned specimens (one-by-one), performing fast-paced high- quality production work, and operating a state-of-the-art digitization system. Over the course of the project, you will follow a detailed workflow, handling a diverse array of up to 100,000 pollinator insects and interacting with departmental staff to maintain continuous imaging production. This position will span a period of 6 to 8 months, with the possibility of extension depending upon additional client assignments.

All project protocols and instruction must be followed accordingly while working alongside your local on-site team members and while maintaining relevant communication with offsite support. You will collaborate with your colleagues to make this trailblazing entomology project a success within the projected timeframe. Your work will directly facilitate worldwide digital accessibility to a globally significant entomology collection that will support research and field advancement for decades to come.

This position is based in Washington, DC. Please do not apply if you are not able to work on-site near the National Mall. Remote work will not be offered for this position. Candidates are required to fulfill all client-specified requirements for working on-site up to and including having an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination if required, plus a booster shot, as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. A background check will be required.

Please find two video links at the bottom of this posting that showcase the kind of work environment you will be stepping into for this project.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performing and supporting the digitization of scientific specimens according to Picturae-approved protocols, at all times.
• Handling pinned entomology specimens and associated specimen materials according to client-approved protocols, at all times.
• Turning on and off digitization equipment and beginning and end of day respectively
• Making small adjustments or repairs to proprietary software and hardware, when necessary, via remote support from offsite Picturae colleagues.
• Working to maximize productivity while maintaining quality.
• Representing Picturae respectfully and abiding by approved project policies.
• Communicating and working with your team to optimize the inflow and outflow of materials for digitization.
• Contacting the Project Manager in a timely manner in case of an unexpected absence.
• Working with your team to meet deadlines and daily production goals.
• Reporting daily progress to the Project Manager with the project-specific tools provided.
• Timely reporting on working hours in Picturae’s bookkeeping system.
• Maintaining reliable full-time presence in the workplace with appropriate week notice prior to a planned holiday time.

Required Competencies and Experience:

• Previous digitization experience and/or collection handling.
• High degree of manual dexterity, attention to detail, and respect for collection materials.
• Ability to communicate virtually and directly interface with Picturae engineering to troubleshoot and find solutions.
• An individual who takes pride in their own work and is a hands-on problem-solver and excited to learn new or unfamiliar systems.
• Ability to maintain repetitive motions while continuing carefulness required by the digitization workflow.
• Has experience working as part of a cohesive team environment.
• Ability to sit while working for part or the entirety of the project duration. Continuous sitting periods up to three hours at a time.
• An individual with a results-oriented and goal-driven mindset.
• Ability to navigate hardware and software to assess quality, with provided training.
• Ability to identify and resolve potential workflow issues.
• Can follow instructions and protocol exactly, expressed virtually, orally, or written.
• Willing to work in close proximity and efficiently with a small group of other team members and client personnel.
• An individual with a collaborative and communicative attitude.
• Representative, respectful, and motivational nature.
• Self-motivated and can meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create English language documentation.
• An individual who operates with integrity.

Application Requirements and Information:

• For those qualified individuals interested in this position, please provide a cover letter, resume and/or CV, and three references with your application that can be contacted by Picturae.
• Preferred: Degree and/or equivalent professional experience in Photography/Library Science/Biological Sciences/Entomology/Art History/Museum Sciences/Archiving/ Humanities/Related Fields and/or Transferable Skillsets
• Training sessions will be discussed and planned separately.
• Full-time Employment: 40 hours per week, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Job Type: Full-time, Monday to Friday, in-person, 6 to 8 months
• Salary: $23.00 per hour.
• Healthcare Stipend: Up to $3,000.00 per year of employment
• Accrued Paid Leave: Up to 15 days per year
• Sick Leave: 6 days per year
• Paid Holidays: Up to 11 paid holidays per year

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use a computer and communicate on the phone, in person, and online in meetings and/or calls. The employee must also be able to perform repetitive motions up to 100% of the time. The employee is regularly required to sit, to stand, to walk, to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Requires the physical strength necessary to lift and/or move heavy objects (able to lift and carry 50 pounds, e.g., specimen drawers, work of art; able to move, maneuver, and manipulate 250 pounds, e.g., rolling crate). Due to the nature of the collection, food and drinks in all forms are prohibited in the digitization area, a nearby secondary space will be available for operator food and drink storage. Reasonable accommodation can be made for operators with heath concerns or conditions to ensure they are able to perform their essential functions.

PICTURAE DIGITIZATION PROJECT VIDEOS:

Entomology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OSeqr0zIoY

Herbarium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzRpI6r4YxA

If you are passionate about natural history and have the skills to lead projects to success, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Ability to Commute:

• Washington, DC 20560 (Required)

Work Location: In person