Job Vacancy | Senior Archive Technical Specialist at the Irish Film Institute
Senior Archive Technical Specialist
Overview of the IFI
The Irish Film Institute is Ireland’s national cultural institution for film. At the IFI’s historic home in Eustace Street, Temple Bar, our diverse audiences, and loyal members enjoy our 3 cinemas, IFI Irish Film Archive’s research and access facilities, IFI Film Shop and IFI Café Bar; and our four digital streaming platforms, IFI@Home, IFI Archive Player, IFI@Schools and IFI International. The IFI has developed strategic objectives around three core activities:
- EXHIBIT Providing audiences throughout Ireland with access to the finest independent, Irish, and international cinema.
- PRESERVE Preserving and promoting Ireland’s moving image heritage through the IFI Irish Film Archive
- EDUCATE Providing opportunities for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to learn and critically engage with film through IFI Education
Working at the IFI means an opportunity to be dynamic, creative, and part of a community that is passionate about what they do and values mutual trust and respect. Our values reflect what is important to us at the IFI. They guide our efforts, define our culture, and shape the way we approach our core activities – Exhibit, Preserve and Educate. As part of the IFI, the Irish Film Archive is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making available Ireland’s moving image heritage and the collections in its care including film, digital materials, and document collections.
Role Overview
Contract: Two-year fixed-term contract (with a 6-month probation period)
Reporting to: Archive Digital Preservation Manager
Key Relationships: Vendors, Director of Operations, Digital Deliveries Supervisor, Digital Preservation Team
Salary scale:
Starting salary will be €35,000 on our Senior Specialist pay scale. Progression to higher levels is based on performance as outlined in our competency framework.
Other Benefits:
Hybrid and flexible working options, bike to work scheme, café discounts, enhanced sick pay, film store & cafe bar discount, free cinema tickets, pension after 12 months, and many more.
Role Overview
The IFI seeks to appoint a Senior Archive Technical Specialist to take responsibility for maintaining and strengthening the Archive’s digital infrastructure. This senior specialist role reflects the growing complexity and importance of digital preservation activities within the organisation.
The successful candidate will play a central role in ensuring the reliability and security of the hardware, software, and network systems that support ingest, digitisation, and preservation workflows. They will actively monitor and maintain systems, carry out audits, and ensure compliance with international standards. The role will involve providing advanced technical expertise to colleagues across the Archive and working directly with third parties to resolve issues and implement solutions. The postholder will also contribute to the development of IFI’s digital preservation strategy, helping to strengthen resilience and sustainability in the face of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical expertise to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex software, hardware, and networking issues.
- Oversee and maintain the IFI’s IFIScripts (Python), ensuring continued support for digital accessioning and preservation workflows.
- Serve as senior technical support to Digital Deliveries and Project Officers to ensure the smooth delivery of digital preservation workflows.
- Manage the Archive’s preservation system (Spectralogic), including data migrations and ongoing storage maintenance.
- Lead communication with system integrators, service providers, and vendors to proactively troubleshoot issues and support root cause analysis.
- Oversee the LTO library and comms room, ensuring effective maintenance of LTO tapes, archive servers, and network equipment.
- Ensure secure storage, backup, and retrieval of all digital assets in line with best practices for long-term preservation.
- Plan and implement the replacement or upgrade of outdated or malfunctioning components.
- Identify and implement optimisation strategies to improve the performance and resilience of the Archive’s technical infrastructure.
- Develop and enforce security protocols to protect against cyber threats and data breaches.
- Document internal procedures and maintain up-to-date technical documentation using version control tools.
- Promote best practices in digital accessioning and preservation across the Archive.
- Collaborate with the Digital Preservation Manager to ensure timely accessioning, preservation, and access to digital assets.
- Contribute specialist expertise to the ongoing development of IFI’s digital preservation policies, standards, and workflows.
Requirements
- Relevant qualification in Information Technology, Computing, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience in administering and maintaining complex technical systems.
- Strong skills in troubleshooting and working with third parties to identify issues and implement solutions.
- Proficiency in scripting (e.g. Python) for processing large datasets in database environments.
- Familiarity with validation protocols for digital preservation (e.g. checksums).
- Knowledge of digital audiovisual file formats, codecs, and specifications.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Proven ability to write and maintain technical documentation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-specialists.
- Creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience in a dynamic environment where systems are still developing.
- Full working authorisation for Ireland.
Desirable
- Proficiency in managing large relational databases, including development languages (e.g. Java) and query languages (e.g. SQL).
- Knowledge and experience of digital preservation workflows, tools, and standards.
- Experience in a technical role within digital preservation or archives.
- Experience managing LTO tape libraries and related storage systems.
Application Process
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to the Digital Preservation Manager, Cydney Thompson, at cthompson@irishfilm.ie by 6pm on 12th September 2025.
The IFI is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Should you require assistance in any part of your application process, please do not hesitate to get in touch, and all reasonable efforts will be made to facilitate your application journey.