Metadata Analytics Librarian

The University of Alabama•Alabama, AL

7d•$80,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Alabama Libraries is seeking a collaborative, innovative, and highly motivated, service-oriented professional for the position of Metadata Analytics Librarian at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. Reporting to the Head of Metadata and Archival Processing within the Resource Acquisition & Discovery unit, the Metadata Analytics Librarian provides strategic direction in the creation, management, analysis, and development of metadata that supports discovery, access, preservation, and stewardship of the University Libraries collections and scholarly resources. Working collaboratively with library faculty and staff working in various areas of University Libraries, the Metadata Analytics Librarian contributes to the development and implementation of metadata workflows and best practices that support evolving local and national standards for bibliographic control and resource discovery. The successful candidate will provide expertise in descriptive metadata, authority control, metadata normalization, and large-scale metadata remediation. The position supports the management of metadata across multiple library platforms, including FOLIO, the discovery layer, the institutional repository, archival management systems, digital collections platforms, and library storage solutions. The Metadata Analytics Librarian contributes to metadata-related aspects of the FOLIO implementation and development lifecycle, including testing, workflow analysis, data migration, metadata analysis, and long-term metadata strategy. The University Libraries currently utilizes FOLIO as its library services platform and EBSCO Discovery Service as its primary discovery layer. The successful candidate must be willing to continually learn, develop, and apply additional expertise through work-related experiences and professional development opportunities. The candidate will pursue grant-writing opportunities and submit projects relevant to the mission of University Libraries and The University of Alabama. The candidate must also possess the ability to navigate change and ambiguity as they successfully solve the types of complex problems encountered in research settings. Responsibilities of the position evolve as the library environment continues to change.

Requirements

Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or doctoral degree in a quantitative field.
Experience in metadata creation, cataloging, metadata management, or related technical services work in an academic library, research library, archives, or comparable cultural heritage organization.
Demonstrated experience creating and managing metadata using MARC21 and established descriptive standards and vocabularies including RDA, LC Classification, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and authority files.
Demonstrated knowledge of metadata schemas and standards including MARC21, Dublin Core, MODS, and related frameworks.
Experience performing original and complex cataloging or metadata creation for diverse formats and resource types.
Experience using OCLC Connexion and integrated library systems.
Demonstrated knowledge of metadata quality control, authority control, and metadata remediation practices.
Knowledge of archival description and metadata standards, including familiarity with DACS, EAD, archival processing principles, and More Product, Less Process (MPLP).
Experience evaluating and improving workflows to support efficient metadata creation and management.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while exercising sound professional judgment.
Knowledge of professional standards, trends, and emerging technologies in metadata, cataloging, archives, and resource discovery.
Commitment to fostering a collaborative and user-centered environment.
Ability to solve problems independently or collaboratively, using sound judgment in decision-making.
Proficiency in exploring and integrating new technologies to enhance services and improve task efficiency with a strong ability to quickly adapt to evolving standards and innovations.
Commitment to conduct research and scholarship consistent with the requirements of a tenure-track faculty appointment.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment; proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively and complete tasks according to an established timeframe, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of professional experience in metadata services, cataloging, or technical services within a large academic or research library depending on educational background or other related factors.
Experience participating in library services platform migrations or implementations, including FOLIO, Alma, Voyager, Sierra, or similar systems.
Experience with metadata management for institutional repositories, digital collections, and Electronic Theses and Dissertations.
Experience with library metadata management systems supporting archival and digital collections such as ArchivesSpace, ContentDM, DSpace, CAIAsoft, etc.
Experience using MarcEdit, OpenRefine, Python, R, SQL, Excel, or related tools for metadata transformation, analysis, and remediation.
Demonstrated knowledge of linked data principles and technologies, including LRM, RDF, RDFa, BIBFRAME, Wikidata, and related semantic web initiatives.
Experience with batch loading, normalization, and large-scale metadata maintenance projects.
Experience with metadata assessment initiatives.
Knowledge of metadata interoperability among library, archival, repository, and digital asset management systems.
Working knowledge of one or more non-English languages.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating the work of faculty, staff, graduate assistants, or student employees.
Knowledge of EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS).
Experience designing, documenting, and assessing metadata workflows and operational processes.
Experience preparing annual or monthly reports for external stakeholders regarding cataloging and/or processing progress.
Knowledge of managing or working in a ticketing queue, like Jira.
Experience submitting grant proposals.
Evidence of an active published research portfolio.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction in the creation, management, analysis, and development of metadata that supports discovery, access, preservation, and stewardship of the University Libraries collections and scholarly resources.
Contributes to the development and implementation of metadata workflows and best practices that support evolving local and national standards for bibliographic control and resource discovery.
Provides expertise in descriptive metadata, authority control, metadata normalization, and large-scale metadata remediation.
Supports the management of metadata across multiple library platforms, including FOLIO, the discovery layer, the institutional repository, archival management systems, digital collections platforms, and library storage solutions.
Contributes to metadata-related aspects of the FOLIO implementation and development lifecycle, including testing, workflow analysis, data migration, metadata analysis, and long-term metadata strategy.
Pursues grant-writing opportunities and submits projects relevant to the mission of University Libraries and The University of Alabama.
Navigates change and ambiguity while solving complex problems encountered in research settings.