Infrastructure Specialist

Job Title: Rhizome Infrastructure Specialist Employment Status: Full-time FLSA Status: Exempt Location: New York City (Hybrid / 3 days per week onsite) Reports to: Rhizome's Preservation Director Salary: $70,000-$80,000 Introductory Period: 6 months, with check-ins at 3 and 6 months Term: Initial one-year term; continuation beyond the first year is contingent on funding Position Overview Rhizome is looking for a resourceful technologist to run and care for the technical infrastructure behind its preservation work, exhibitions, and day-to-day operations. The Infrastructure Specialist operates and maintains Rhizome’s storage systems, supports its PeerTube infrastructure, manages the equipment and technical knowledge needed to exhibit born-digital artworks, and administers internal IT, identity, and CRM systems. The role also plans and installs technology for exhibitions and events, offers legacy media migration as a service, supports the Developer on website improvements, and leads hackathons that help Rhizome think creatively about how software can further its mission. It suits someone who learns quickly, enjoys solving practical problems, and is interested in how digital culture is kept alive over time. The Infrastructure Specialist’s first major project will be supporting the technical plan and proposal for a significant grant application focused on AI and digital culture, working closely with the Executive Director and Preservation Director. Reporting to the Preservation Director, the Infrastructure Specialist works closely with the Developer on website code, identity systems, and video streaming infrastructure; with the Operations Director on IT, equipment purchasing and logistics, and client contracts; with the Development Officer on the CRM; and with program staff and vendors on exhibition and event builds. About Rhizome Rhizome champions born-digital art and culture through commissions, exhibitions, publishing, and digital preservation. Founded by artist Mark Tribe in 1996 as an email list connecting some of the first artists working online, Rhizome has played a defining role in the history of art and technology for three decades. The organization has been an affiliate of the New Museum in New York City since 2003, where it remains an independent nonprofit. Responsibilities Preservation Infrastructure Operate, maintain, and monitor Rhizome’s offline and local storage systems, designed by the Preservation Director, including backup routines, integrity checks, and documentation. Support infrastructure for PeerTube, in coordination with the Developer and Preservation Director. Equipment & Artwork Technology Maintain Rhizome’s tech and equipment inventory, including the location, quantity, and condition of equipment. Document the equipment “packs” used to exhibit specific artworks and build a troubleshooting knowledge base for those works. Prepare equipment and media for outgoing loans in coordination with the Preservation Director and Executive Director; coordinate purchasing, shipping, and loan paperwork with the Operations Director. IT Systems & Support Administer Rhizome’s internal IT setup, including devices, accounts, network, and core software, and recommend improvements as Rhizome builds independent infrastructure. Set up and retire staff devices and accounts during onboarding and offboarding, in coordination with the Operations Director. Maintain basic inventory of staff devices and software licenses. Support basic security practices across the organization, including software updates, backups, password management, and multi-factor authentication. Exhibitions & Technical Services Develop technical plans and carry out installation, setup, and maintenance for Rhizome exhibitions and events, in consultation with key staff and vendors. Carry out data migration from legacy media and formats as a service. Web & DevOps Support Developer in making front-end code updates across Rhizome’s websites for technical and design improvement. Handle routine website maintenance, escalating larger development work to the Developer and Digital Preservation Director. Identity & CRM Systems Support the process of streamlining and improving Rhizome’s user identity and login systems, in coordination with the Developer and Digital Preservation Director. Serve as technical administrator of Rhizome’s CRM, including configuration, user permissions, data imports, reporting setup, and integrations with membership, ticketing, streaming, and web systems. Keep data flowing reliably between Rhizome’s membership, ticketing, streaming, and CRM systems, with attention to privacy and data security. Research, Prototyping & Proposals Support the technical scoping, research, budgeting, and writing for grant proposals involving Rhizome’s technology, beginning with a major application focused on AI and digital culture, in partnership with the Executive Director, Preservation Director, and Development Officer. Evaluate emerging tools, including locally run AI models, for potential use, with attention to their limits and risks, informing an organizational AI policy. Lead internal and external hackathons that bring staff and/or stakeholders together to prototype tools, fixes, and new ideas for Rhizome’s programs and infrastructure. Think creatively and broadly about how Rhizome can best use software to further its mission. Qualifications A passion for Rhizome’s mission and a commitment to supporting digital culture. A degree in computer science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Comfort with Linux and the command line, and scripting experience (e.g., Python or Bash). Front-end development skills, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and experience with Git or a similar version control system. Hands-on experience with hardware setup and troubleshooting across Mac, Windows, and Linux. Familiarity with storage, backup, and file-integrity practices. A demonstrated ability to learn new technical skills quickly. Strong technical writing, including documentation and the ability to explain technical ideas to non-technical colleagues and funders. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Availability for occasional evening and weekend work around exhibitions and events, and the ability to lift and move equipment. An understanding of the uses and misuses of AI in programming workflows. Preferred Experience Experience with digital preservation, legacy media migration, or emulation. Experience running self-hosted platforms such as PeerTube, and with video tools such as FFmpeg. Experience with AV or technical installation for exhibitions or events. Basic networking knowledge. Experience administering a CRM or identity and authentication systems (e.g., single sign-on). Experience contributing to grant proposals or technical project plans. Experience organizing hackathons, workshops, or other collaborative technical events. A considered, critical perspective on AI and its role in culture, including experience shaping or applying AI use policies. Familiarity with Rhizome’s communities, including digital artists, technologists, and cultural leaders. Benefits Rhizome offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Reimbursement Program through the Difference Card, Commuter Benefits Program through the Difference Card, Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Retirement Savings Plan, and other voluntary benefits. We offer full-time employees 15 days of paid time off, 8 sick days off and 13 holidays off as applicable through the fiscal year. Equal Opportunity Rhizome believes that all persons are entitled to Equal Employment Opportunity and we do not discriminate against our staff members or applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, sex, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran or citizenship status provided they are qualified and meet the requirements for the job.