Obsolete Data Media Migration Specialist

Position:

Over nearly six decades, many technologies and physical formats have been used to store data: 9-track tapes, 5.25” floppy discs, dozens of cartridge formats, and hard drive interfaces. The work of the Obsolete Data Media Migration Specialist consists of three primary areas: 1) use the appropriate hardware, mount the data carrier; 2) extract the binary information from the carrier; 3) extract the logical files; sometimes migrating the logical file to a current technology is also required (such as translating EBCDIC text to ASCII or UTF, or WordStar to Word). Projects range from a handful of media to thousands, from a “box of stuff” to reverse engineering backup environments for old operating systems. The task is not “data recovery” of failed hard drives or related work.

Responsibilities:

• Assess and process client-provided media and accompanying inventory & metadata
• Coordinate and manage media preparation and conservation, as needed
• Using existing software tools or acquiring/designing new tools, migrate data from the carrier
• Using existing software tools or acquiring/designing new tools, extract logical files
• Work alone or with other staff IT professionals solving migration bottlenecks
• Develop workflows, scripts, automation (software and hardware) to improve efficiency
• Track media as they go through the migration workflow
• Manage hardware inventory, identify new purchases, assist in purchasing
• Work with sales and project managers to estimate hours of effort for projects
• Liaise with Production Manager to proactively manage resource allocation
• Manage security of data, including PII, PHI, HIPAA, encryption, and air gap requirements
• Clearly document each recovery process, building a knowledgebase to refer to for similar future projects

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in computer or information science, or comparable work experience required
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills required
• Background in obsolete hardware (5.25” floppy, 9-track, Travan, Exabyte, S/AIT, S/DLT, etc.)
• Background in obsolete computer interfaces (parallel, RS232, RS422, SCSI-family, IEEE1394, etc.)
• Familiarity with obsolete operating systems, (DOS, VAX, Windows, Apple, Mac, Kaypro, UNIX, LINUX, etc.)
• Scripting and coding skills desirable
• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate with staff from all departments required
• Staffing – allocating exiting staff or hiring new - will depend on project scope, scale and skillset; candidate should expect to perform all steps themselves; this is a doing job, not a managing-of-others job
• Time-management and stress-management skills required – ability to complete jobs within estimated hours and schedule
• Ability to rapidly change between tasks and environments required – multiple migrations and projects may be running concurrently
• Strong verbal, written and organizational skills required
• Prior experience with FileMaker Pro preferred – our production management application is built and managed in-house in FMP
• Willingness and ability to influence and persuade teams to accomplish project goals
• Ability to work independently

Benefits:

• Eligible for company’s benefits package, including company-sponsored medical insurance; voluntary SIMPLE-IRA contributions with matching, and PTO, as well as company holidays

Application Instructions: Please send cover letter, resume, and three references via e-mail attachment to: george.blood@georgeblood.com and include “Obsolete Data – Your Name” as subject.