Digital Imaging Specialist

Digital Imaging Specialist

Job Summary

As the Digital Imaging Specialist for the USC University Communications Brand Creative team, you are immersed in all aspects of Digital Asset Management (DAM), with a strong focus on organization and meticulous attention to detail. You are highly organized and are not afraid to let others know that they must follow processes and guidelines, while also educating on why this is important. 

As the Digital Asset Specialist, you play a critical role in the management and organization of the university’s digital assets, ensuring that assets are readily available for digital distribution through a wide variety of channels so that our internal clients receive exceptional service and support. The ideal candidate combines a photographer’s eye for composition and quality in photography with a passion for taxonomy, organization and metadata. 

Responsibilities for the Digital Asset Specialist include ingesting, organizing, managing, distributing and preserving digital assets, curating images for special projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams to coordinate and manage all digital assets. The Digital Imaging Specialist will also take responsibility for preparing existing assets for migration to a new DAM system, if needed. The Digital Imaging Specialist reports to the Executive Creative Director and works closely with Visuals Editor, Photo/Video Director and Art Director.

Job Responsibilities

• Must be highly organized and establish efficient file management systems that contribute to the overall productivity and success of the organization.

• Coordinate and streamline workflows for integration of digital assets into the university’s DAM system. 

• Function as a digital librarian to develop and/or adopt naming taxonomies and metadata standards.

• Ensure metadata accuracy and consistency across the institution through diligent quality control. This includes developing and enforcing a metadata schema for asset tagging that aligns with university’s needs.

• Regularly review and update metadata tags for assets to improve searchability, accessibility, and compliance with university standards.  

• Perform quality control checks on digital assets to ensure they meet institutional standards and are optimized for use across multiple platforms.

• Must be able to quickly distribute potential images to content teams to support or for overall content development strategy and implementation.

• Maintain accurate records of asset usage rights, licensing agreements, and expiration dates, to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

• Verify that all images and content have the necessary permissions and licenses with our vendor(s) prior to distribution, coordinating with legal and procurement teams as needed.

• Responsible for preparing the existing data library for migration to the new DAM system and overseeing the migration process, if needed.

• Manage DAM permissions and user roles, ensuring data integrity and security of digital content across the system. 

• Supervise and mentor work-study students to ensure their tasks are aligned with digital asset management objectives and contribute to the overall efficiency of asset workflows. 

• Collaborate with Brand Creative team members to enhance asset management processes and ensure efficient integration across workflows.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with various departments to meet asset requirements and ensure best practices are being maintained within DAM system. 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for DAM inquiries, training and ongoing support for internal teams.

• Receive digital assets directly from photographers or staff, managing those assets by adhering to and maintaining meticulous digital naming conventions, file management protocols, metadata standards and quality control procedures.

• Establish governance, provide training and produce documentation for future continuity in managing assets.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree 

• 2+ years of experience in digital asset management

• Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Communications, Information Science or Library Science

• 3+ years in digital asset management, asset uploads and metadata tagging with a creative team

• Expert knowledge of Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom and Photo Mechanic

• Knowledge of metadata standards and familiarity with various file formats for photo, video and vector art

• Ability to work effectively in a deadline driven environment and pivot, when necessary, based on changes in project requirements and scope.

• Willingness to research and learn new technologies to adapt to changing database methodologies and tools.  

• Highly organized, analytical and meticulous in maintaining information using detailed record-keeping systems and metadata.

• Photography background a plus

• Excellent analytical, communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated research skills

• Deep knowledge of rights management and usage.

• Skilled in database management, data storage methods and security

• Ability to work both independently and cross-functionally

The budgeted hourly range for this position is $31.13 - $38.46. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

#LI-Hybrid

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 2 years
Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Minimum Skills: Working knowledge of digital imaging tools, techniques and processes. Working knowledge of computers, data entry, scanning tools and techniques. Familiar with use of Laserfiche or other scanning software.

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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