Technician, Conservation and Laboratory

The National Film Board of Canada is seeking a full-time Technician for Conservation and Laboratory in Montreal. Responsibilities include inspecting, repairing, and restoring film materials, preparing them for digitization, and documenting data. Candidates should have a college diploma in a relevant field and three years of experience with film handling. The position requires on-site work, highlighting the importance of hands-on technical skills in film conservation.
Posted: Mar 06, 2025 Closing date of the competition: Mar 20, 2025

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Location: Montreal (Cousens) Flexibility Profile: On-site Salary Range: 5 - $54,443 to $66,212 Position Status: Continuous - Full-time Position Number: 00021565 Division: Technologies Department: Technical Resources Union Category: SGCT

Are you passionate about great storytelling, about exploring the issues that matter, about pushing the boundaries in new audiovisual experiences? So are we. As Canada’s public producer and distributor, the National Film Board has been telling the country’s stories and pioneering breakthroughs in virtually every field of audiovisual content since 1939. But to do this, we need a team that truly reflects the richness and diversity of Canada. If you’d like to be a part of this team—and part of the NFB’s incredible legacy—we’d love to hear from you.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Inspects, repairs or restores and evaluates film materials (image and sound). Using systems designed for this purpose, documents and reports data and assessments collected during inspections. Prepares film materials for digitization, keeps the premises and lab equipment clean.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Using the tools provided (e.g., inspection tables, magnifiers, viewers, etc.), visually inspects image and sound in the various films submitted.
• Assesses all physical aspects of materials, such as the degree of shrinkage, the condition of splices, superficial and deep damage, the level of discolouration or degradation, the condition of sprocket holes, etc.
• Cleans and repairs or restores films, makes splices using guillotine or hot splicers, repairs sprocket holes, replaces or adds leaders, enters the required identification and performs other tasks as necessary for restoring materials to transfer or conservation-ready condition.
• Prepares materials for digitization or transfer by identifying the portions to be scanned; registers beginning and end marks of uptake, counts the number of frames to be transferred and communicates all other relevant information to the technicians concerned.
• Selects the best existing copy of a film for transfer or digitization.
• Handles shrunken films, synchronizes images and optical sound, and compares the synchronization of the different elements to select identical versions, as needed.
• Documents and performs the required data entry in the various computer systems, according to their observations and assessments; confirms information already entered and corrects it as needed; conveys relevant information to the individuals involved for image and sound transfers and digitization.
• Prepares materials for storage according to conservation standards or for subsequent use.
• Processes client orders for copies or according to specific requests.
• Provides technical assistance to clients (filmmakers, etc.) in handling film stock and analog viewing equipment for film material.
• Performs regular maintenance and ensures the premises and equipment are clean; reports anything unusual.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• College diploma in an appropriate discipline, such as Film, Archive Science or Photography;
• Three (3) years of experience handling film of various formats;
• Knowledge of hot splicing, cleaning, synchronization and inspection techniques for 16- and 35-mm negative and positive raw stock;
• Excellent knowledge of standards and equipment used in the field;
• Familiarity with IT tools and databases;
• Bilingualism in the official languages (French and English), both orally and in writing.

PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Initiative, autonomy, adaptability, strong customer service orientation and inclination for collaboration.
• Ability to assess client needs, sound judgement and is responsible.
• Organized, meticulous, structured and rigorous approach to work.

The NFB is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce that’s reflective of Canadian society. It promotes initiatives such as employment equity and encourages candidates to voluntarily indicate in their cover letter if they are a woman, a member of a First Nations group, Inuk, Métis, a person with a disability, or a member of a visible-minority group.

The NFB is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. Feel free to advise us of any accommodation needs.

Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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