Job Title: Photographic Technician (SSPL Service Level Agreement Contract)

Job Description

Job Details

Job Title: Photographic Technician (SSPL Service Level Agreement contract)

Department: Science Museum Imaging Services

(Corporate & Collections Information)

Location: Science Museum

Reports to: Photography Manager/Head of Corporate and Collections Information

Date: 13 September 2013

Purpose of the Job

Provide professional imaging services, primarily consisting of scanning and copying of 2D material supplied by the picture library, or from the museum’s historical collections. To create and deliver high quality images specifically to fulfil the terms of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Science & Society Picture Library (SSPL), as outlined in the agreement available separately.

Key Deliverables/Accountabilities

1.  Production of images to a consistently high professional quality to client requirements, of picture library and museum collections, and of other two dimensional material on loan to the institution. To utilise all available skills, techniques and equipment.

2.  Digital manipulation of images, including retouching, as required, to ensure delivery of photographs to meet customer’s requirements, to the highest professional standards.

3.  Adding keywords, captioning, copyright and other metadata to all digital assets produced.

4.  Where necessary the conversion of glass plate and film negatives, transparencies and prints to digital format when reproductions are required of analogue archive images.

5.  Maintain studio facilities, equipment and materials and other shared departmental resources, to ensure other key result areas can be achieved.

6.  Take responsibility for the maintenance and preservation of personal master image production on the digital image archive to the highest professional standard. Ensure access to and use of the archive is properly controlled and recorded.

7.  Keep accurate production and imaging records and produce reports, as required by project and line management, to demonstrate efficient use of resources.

8.  Take care of your personal health and safety and that of others and report any health and safety concerns. Ensure proactive compliance with SMG H&S Policies, including risk assessments and implementing safe systems of work

Working Relationships and Contacts

·  Photography Manager – for allocation of work, supervision, support, training and the setting of departmental and personal objectives and standards.

·  Other colleagues in Photo Studio, SSPL and CCI

·  Collections Access (Logistics) staff – for supply and return of items to be photographed within agreed deadlines.

·  Conservation staff – when arranging photographic workflow and scheduling

·  Professional counterparts from other organisations – when fulfilling specific photographic assignments and for professional development.

Line Management and Budget Responsibility

Directly line manages:0

Indirectly line manages:0

Contractors/freelancers:0

Budget Holder of £0

Candidate Profile

Experience

·  Studio (digital) photography experience of similar collections in a museum, industrial and/or fine art environment

·  Experience of handling museum objects

·  Experience of Photoshop and other digital image processing and handling software programmes

·  Experience of using a collections database, e.g. iBase and MIMSY XG

Skills, Knowledge and Relevant Qualifications

·  A formal professional qualification, preferably to HND or higher in photography and an ability to demonstrate appropriate practical post qualification experience is desirable.

·  Technical proficiency in photography and digital imaging technology, kept up to date by professional development.

·  Ability to obtain technically accurate and precise digital copies of museum objects and technical material, demonstrating an understanding and sympathy for the subject matter, as necessary.

·  Ability to make technical judgements and decisions on matters relating to photography and the photo studio within policy and precedent.

·  An ability to provide advice to clients, art directors and museum staff, at all levels, on photographic technique in the delivery of imaging services and the ability to work unsupervised, occasionally off site at other SMG locations.

Behaviours

·  Pays meticulous attention to detail

·  Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills

·  Possesses and can apply a high degree of technical photographic ability

·  Ability to use judgement and make decisions within policy and precedent

·  Supportive and collaborative team working style

·  Ability to follow procedures and protocols consistently

·  Actively explores ideas for improvement

·  Takes pride in delivering work to a high standard

·  Uses initiative

Scope for Impact

·  High-quality images make a very direct contribution to the success Science & Society Picture Library, providing a source of income for the museum through their use by commercial, educational and external academic clients.

·  Ensuring the image collections are promoted and accessible to academics and the public, as required, by a range of routes, including exhibitions, publications, the media and web based projects, has a significant influence on the reputation of the museum.

Please note:

·  This job description is not exhaustive and amendments and additions may be required in line with future changes in policy, regulation or organisational requirements, it will be reviewed on a regular basis.

·  This role is subject to a Disclosure Scotland basic criminal record check

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