Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement # 22R-NR-307363-MPA-SLA More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

The Audio Preservation Specialist will:

• Be responsible for performing the digitization of various audiotape formats using archival tape machines and Smithsonian-approved capture software.
• Handle collection materials in accordance with international standards for media appropriately and carefully, ensuring no damage occurs during the digitization process.
• Ensure technical metadata is successfully embedded into files and deliver final preservation master files to SI staff in accordance with AVMPI’s workflows. 
• Perform periodic quality control checks on audiotape decks to ensure they are in proper working order, and calibrates decks as needed.
• Inspect the technical elements (such as reproducer levels, frequency response, phase correlation, and digital artifacts) of digitized audio files and ensures that these elements are within the acceptable range
• Organize workflow efficiently to maximize production and meet deadlines and adhere to digitization workflow requirements, adjusting for special circumstances when necessary.
• Ensure files are ingested into the Smithsonian’s Digital Asset Management system (DAMS) within a timely manner and conducts integrity checks on the files ingested. 

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

Physical Requirements:
This position requires requires some physical exertion, such as periods of standing or lifting heavy items up to 45 lbs. The work is a mixture of sedentary and physical exertion, such as long periods working at a computer and lab equipment assembly and operation. Digitization and conservation work requires fine manual dexterity, coordination, and good vision.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position Specialized experience is defined as: digitization of various audiotape formats for preservation, inspection and quality control of digitized audio files management of technical and structural metadata; overseeing software and hardware upgrades; preparation of documentation; and keeping abreast of digital audio and related digitization technologies.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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:

1. Technical- Ability to use audio digitization equipment (e.g., computers with customized hardware and software for capturing analog audio signals at archival standards) and Windows (Windows 10) and Macintosh (OS 10.14 and above) operating systems to digitize historical and production audio material (e.g., ¼” open reel audio tape, compact audio cassette, and grooved media).
2. Integrity- Ability to use applicable professional standards and established procedures and policies when taking actions and making decisions regarding audiovisual preservation.
3. Problem Solving- Ability to create relevant and creative options regarding QA/QC processes, generating viable options for identified problems, and using judgment in determining which decision should be supported and mandated by other teammates or persons at a higher level.
4. Self-management- Ability to prioritize work tasks to align with overall AVMPI goals and be accountable to complete the necessary actions to complete work.
5. Teamwork- Ability to engage fellow staff to streamline processes and ensure that preservation and digitization tasks are completed within set timelines.

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.

Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.

Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.

This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

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 sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.