LLILAS Benson Digital Initiatives
University of Texas Libraries
The University of Texas at Austin
POSITION AVAILABLE: August 16, 2024. Position is subject to renewal each semester.
Application Deadline: August 5, 2024
WORK SCHEDULE: 20 hours/week, as arranged with supervisor: Monday through Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
The Archive of the Indigenous Languages of Latin America (AILLA, https://ailla.utexas.org/), located in the Benson Latin American Collection, is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and highly motivated individual to serve as the AILLA Graduate Research Assistant for the 2024-2025 academic year with the possibility of continuing in the position during summer 2025. AILLA is a digital repository for language documentation materials, as well as linguistic, anthropological and other research on Indigenous languages of Latin America. AILLA recently launched a completely rebuilt repository with trilingual (English/Spanish/Portuguese) graphical user interfaces and is now migrating its collections. The AILLA GRA will assist with migrating existing collections, arranging and ingesting new collections and new deposits into existing collections, and creating training tutorials and documentation about how to use the new repository.
As all metadata in AILLA must be in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, the successful candidate will be expected to have some proficiency with written Spanish, and preferably Portuguese, as well. Because of the technical nature of this position, previous knowledge or experience with systems outlined in this posting may be beneficial, however training will be provided.
The GRA might have the opportunity to evaluate and digitize analog collections for arrangement and ingestion into AILLA, depending on the needs of depositors and the interest-level of the successful candidate for the position.
DUTIES:
- Assist with migrating existing collections, including pre-ingest quality control of all metadata (including machine-translated metadata in Portuguese), repository ingestion, post-ingest quality control and publishing, and related project management tasks.
- Assist with processing and arranging born-digital and digitized material submitted by AILLA depositors, including digital asset management, metadata creation/processing/translation, format conversion, repository ingestion, pre- and post-ingest quality control, and other related tasks.
- Identify potential areas of user confusion while using AILLA’s digital repository and create video tutorials and/or other documentation to explain these areas.
- Occasional opportunities to assess and digitize analog collections, including audio, video, photographic, and paper-based formats.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- UT Austin graduate student in good standing, enrolled for at least nine [9] semester hours for each long semester (fall and spring) and three [3] semester hours for summer session.
- Intermediate proficiency in written Spanish and/or Portuguese (in addition to English), plus ability to use machine translation to arrive at accurate translations.
- High attention to detail and critical thinking.
- Ability to exercise initiative working both alone and in a dynamic team environment.
- An interest in working in the areas of digital archiving, preservation and metadata creation.
- High comfort level working with Excel spreadsheets.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working in/with archives, digital assets, metadata, digital repository platforms.
- Strong computer literacy and interest in or experience with command-line processing, Python, or other scripting methods.
- Knowledge of principles of user design.
- Experience with Canva or other graphic design programs.
- Experience with video editing software (e.g., iMovie, QuickTime, Camtasia) to create tutorial video
- Experience with YouTube Studio.
We want to emphasize that although experience in certain areas is desirable, candidates who meet the required qualifications and demonstrate excellent promise are encouraged to apply and will be given serious consideration.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Regular indoor working conditions.
SALARY/BENEFITS: $1733 per month. Exemption from non-resident tuition. Benefits eligible. TRB is not available for this position for long semesters.
APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates should submit, via e-mail, a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to:
Susan Kung
AILLA Coordinator
Benson Latin American Collection
University of Texas Libraries
The University of Texas at Austin
Email: skung@austin.utexas.edu
The University of Texas Libraries advances teaching, catalyzes research, and democratizes learning in order to develop critical thinkers and global citizens. As an essential campus partner in building a rich research and learning ecosystem, we are committed to creating and sustaining a community that welcomes and respects all individuals, celebrates different perspectives and experiences, and fosters belonging.
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
