Are you interested in being part of a dynamic team that is growing? The Hoover Institution Library & Archives is seeking enthusiastic, growth-focused, service-oriented candidates for the Lead Photographer position whose principle role will be to ensure the effective coordination and execution of digital imaging activities associated with the Digital First/Virtual Library Initiative. This initiative aims to deliver large-scale digitization of the Library & Archives’ collections for scholarly and community uses. The full-time position supports the Digital First/Virtual Library Initiative and general operations.

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application. Your one-page cover letter should briefly describe your background in academic libraries and archival description and provide examples of past projects and work completed. 

A cover letter and resume are required for full consideration.

About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution:  The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs. 

Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I.  The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history.  Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges. 

With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity.

JOB PURPOSE:

Develop and execute digital media production assignments requiring fully developed skills and understanding of area of specialization. Partner with internal and external clients regarding digital media equipment and services. Serve as an in-house digital media expert for a school/unit.

The Lead Photographer will be responsible for imaging collections—a mix of general and archival collections, languages, formats, object types, and physical conditions— and creating digital surrogates that meet the Library & Archives’ image capture guidelines and specifications. The Lead Photographer will work closely with a diverse multi-departmental team and directly supervise digital imaging staff, student assistants, and manage third-party vendors. This individual will also provide support, assistance, and advice in the use of digital imaging equipment and software; coordinate workflow processes and quality control for production work on assigned projects; responsible for assessing, setting up and performing routine maintenance work on various camera systems and digitization equipment such as flatbed scanners, medium and large format cameras, planetary and book scanners, lighting and mounting systems, computers, etc.

CORE DUTIES*:

• Research, prepare and produce digital media for instruction, promotional programs, and/or other communicative purposes for both internal and external audiences.
• Partner with clients on strategic and creative approaches to projects involving abstract or technical content to meet objectives and within time and cost constraints: articulating the production process and expectations, communicating issues, providing status updates, and suggesting appropriate methods for improvement.
• Develop and market digital services to internal and external clients to create visual content, at scale, and provide best practice standards that foster photographic excellence. 
• Manage all aspects of capturing, recording, and transmitting of all digital media productions and images, including quality control and management of EXIF, IPTC and other image metadata.
• Make recommendations for purchases and repairs of digital media equipment. Diagnose and resolve digital media system problems. Create cost estimates for different equipment options. Develop custom support mechanisms. Provide stewardship of university resources.
• Responsible for supervising support staff and managing technical aspects and overall approach for productions, including all collateral.
• Produce high-quality post-production and editing to ensure a quality product and an accurate depiction of content. May review and edit masters to meet the needs of the client(s) and/or producer and properly store, label, and archive of masters and edited masters.
• Produce high-quality digital surrogates of fragile and/or rare materials or other analog sources for access, display, and preservation purposes using a variety of equipment.
• Assess, set up, operate and troubleshoot on a variety of imaging equipment including but not limited to camera systems and digitization equipment such as flatbed scanners, medium and large format cameras, planetary and book scanners. May train or provide guidance to other staff.
• Act as liaison with vendors, develop strategies, workflows and rate cards for clients, identify competitive pricing for products and services and close projects for billings.

ADDITIONAL CORE DUTIES*:

• Use tools such as Smartsheet, Trello and the LIMB suite to configure and manage workflows for concurrent projects.
• Handle rare or fragile originals skillfully to prevent damage.
• Participate in development and documentation of internal operating procedures.
• Ensure high-throughput steady-state operations for digital conversion work streams. 
• Collect and maintain statistics, reports, and other metrics to assess and improve functions.
• Stay informed of new developments in digital technologies by literature review, maintaining contact with vendors, participating in professional organizations.
• Research, assess, and recommend specialized facilities planning, digital imaging equipment purchases, ergonomic workstation setup, and hardware installations and modifications as requested.

Note: The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced technical experience using digital media equipment, video creation, editing software, and/or digital media control software.
• Strong knowledge in production techniques including videography, compression and file delivery and other production formats.
• Broad knowledge of all aspects of professional quality productions, including field and studio camera, lighting, sound and editing,
• Understanding of online video environment and online distribution.
• Demonstrated ability to perform repairs on a wide variety of audio, visual and computer equipment.
• Ability to adapt equipment setup and provide alternative setup or workarounds if necessary.
• Ability to manage a variety of simultaneous projects within tight deadlines, excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, mature judgment, and diplomacy required to interact effectively with and provide customer service to a broad audience.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• May require experience planning, coordinating, and executing archival digitization projects.

Desired/Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Technical experience using a wide variety of digital imaging equipment (e.g., DSLR and/or mirrorless cameras, medium format camera, large format scanners, etc.), processing software (e.g., Capture One, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Photoshop, LIMB Processing, etc.) and digital quality control software (e.g., Golden Thread, Open Dice, etc.). 
• Demonstrated technical knowledge on creating and judging ICC color profiles and application of FADGI, Metamorfoze or other imaging guidelines for cultural heritage institutions.
• Knowledge of all aspects of professional-quality productions, including photography, including camera and lighting setup, alignment, composing, focus, exposure, monitor and equipment calibration, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with the flexibility to adjust to changes and reprioritizations

Certifications and Licenses:

• Valid California Non-commercial Driver's License.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks
• Frequently Work with materials and books in places that may be dusty and moldy.
• Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasps lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, writing by hand, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other).
• Visual acuity including color vision.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class license.
• Must be able to push and maneuver a fully-loaded cart weighing up to 650 pounds that requires an initial push force up to 50 pounds.  Ability to lift 40-pound boxes or bundles.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings and weekends.
• May have exposure to high voltage electricity, noise > 80dB TWA, confined spaces, and working at heights above 10 feet.

WORK STANDARDS:

• When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4222
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: H
• Department URL: http://www.hoover.org
• Requisition ID: 87374