UAB Libraries-Open Rank Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections-Digital Services
About The Position
The Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections is a core member of the Digital Services Team, focusing on the design, implementation, and maintenance of metadata standards, workflows, and documentation that support the discovery, access, and long-term management of digital collections. The position reports to the Head of Digital Services within the Technology and Technical Services Division of UAB Libraries. The role develops, implements, and maintains metadata standards and workflows; creates and enhances descriptive metadata for diverse digital materials; manages bulk record imports and large-scale data cleanup; and assesses and remediates existing metadata to improve quality, consistency, completeness, discoverability, and interoperability. It also leads metadata enhancement initiatives, uses tools and scripts for metadata transformation when applicable, contributes to the management of student assistants and interns, participates in relevant teams and professional groups, and engages in professional service and scholarship in accordance with faculty appointment and promotion guidelines.
Requirements
- ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS).
- Experience creating and enhancing descriptive metadata for a wide range of digital material types.
- Working knowledge of subject headings, record formats, controlled vocabularies, and standards related to metadata services.
- Experience with project management, including planning, communication, and delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders, including faculty, researchers, and library staff.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing digital environments and workflows.
Nice To Haves
- Two or more years of experience creating descriptive metadata for digital objects.
- Two or more years of experience working with a large-scale Library Services Platform, preferably Ex Libris Alma/Specto or similar.
- One or more years of experience working in a library technical services area.
- Experience working with Dublin Core Metadata Initiative standards and related frameworks.
- Experience using common tools for batch editing, data cleaning, and data transformation, such as MarcEdit, OpenRefine, or Python.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and maintain metadata standards and workflows supporting discovery, access, and long-term management of digital collections.
- Develop documentation and guidelines for metadata creation, transformation, and maintenance.
- Create, edit, and enhance descriptive metadata for a wide range of digital material types, applying and promoting best practices aligned with Dublin Core Metadata Initiative standards and related frameworks.
- Manage bulk record import processes and large-scale data cleanup projects.
- Assess existing digital collections metadata for quality, consistency, and completeness; recommend and execute remediation strategies to improve discoverability and interoperability.
- Lead metadata enhancement initiatives, including normalization and enrichment, and coordinate adopted enhancements with internal and external collection stakeholders.
- Use tools and scripts for metadata transformation when applicable, such as batch editing, crosswalking, and data migration.
- Contribute to the overall management of departmental student assistants and interns.
- Participate in relevant library and campus teams, committees, and working groups, as well as user groups focused on metadata development or digital services and initiatives.
- Participate in professional service and scholarship activities in accordance with faculty guidelines for appointment and promotion.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
