Metadata Systems Specialist

Description

The Metadata Systems Specialist will serve as technical lead for NYU’s integrated library system (ILS), including software maintenance, table maintenance, trouble-shooting, and system upgrades. Provide documentation and training to colleagues who have ILS-related responsibilities. Stay abreast of developments in library technologies and support services. Facilitate discussion and coordinate action plans for software upgrades, bug reports, enhancement requests, etc. Participate in strategic initiatives to implement emerging technologies that support scholarly resource discovery and access.

Primary duties include:

• As a member of the Knowledge Access Design and Development (KADD) department in the Knowledge Access and Resource Management (KARMS) directorate of the NYU Division of Libraries, and as a member of an ILS team comprised of staff with interrelated responsibilities, take a leading role in administering the NYU Libraries’ integrated library system (currently Aleph), particularly with regard to software maintenance, troubleshooting, related table maintenance using git, version upgrades, log file analysis, and authority control. Assist in improving and automating workflows using scripts (e.g., Python or Bash), and participate in various data cleanup and reporting tasks. Prioritize Aleph-related projects or tasks. Communicate out to colleagues. Investigate and analyze issues affecting the interaction of various subsystems. Contribute to development of new functionality. NB: Some systems operations may require occasional work or oversight on evenings or weekends.
• Facilitate discussion of software upgrades, possible migrations, bug reports and enhancement requests; recommend action plans and next steps. Stay abreast of recent developments in ILS-related tools and technologies; engage with vendor representatives or open source community members concerning system functionality and interoperability
• Participate in strategic research and development initiatives to implement emerging technologies that support scholarly resource discovery and access. Provide systems and metadata consulting as needed. Serve on relevant interdepartmental committees and working groups
• Provide local documentation and training for others working with ILS servers and clients.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science, library science, or related field.

Required Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
3 years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Experience working in Linux/Unix server environments, writing scripts in bash, Python, Perl, PHP, or Ruby.  Knowledge of database architecture and SQL. Excellent analytical, customer service, and communication skills. Knowledge of metadata standards, and experience in data analysis and manipulation on a variety of data formats. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and establish appropriate priorities. Ability to work productively on cross-departmental teams. Demonstrated ability to document workflows and teach others.

Preferred Experience:
Experience working in a library, particularly an academic or research library. Experience with one or more of the suite of Ex Libris products (especially Aleph). Knowledge of cataloging standards, MARC, XML, and XSLT. Experience working with git source code management system. Knowledge of metadata technology protocols such as OpenURL, OAI-PMH, Z39.5-, SRU/W. Experience with Lucene, Solr, Blacklight, and/or Hydra.

Libraries at New York University serve the school’s 40,000 students and faculty and contain more than 5 million volumes. The Libraries supports NYU’s vision to become the first true Global Network University by collaborating and providing services to our 11 global academic centers and “portal campuses” in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.   New York University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the OCLC Research Library Partnership, and the HathiTrust. The Libraries participates in a variety of consortia and collaborates closely with Columbia University Libraries and the New York Public Library through the Manhattan Research Library Consortium. For the NYU Libraries Mission and Strategic Plan go to http://library.nyu.edu/about/Strategic_Plan.pdf 

Knowledge Access and Resource Management Services facilitates the teaching, learning, and research endeavors of the Libraries’ user communities through processes and services in program areas that include library acquisitions, serials and electronic resource management, knowledge access design and development, archival collections management, and metadata production and management. In collaboration with our colleagues in Collections and Research Services, Public Services, Libraries IT Services, and Digital Library Technology Services, KARMS has primary leadership responsibility for knowledge access via the Libraries’ dynamic, integrated discovery and access systems. In addition to serving NYU’s central libraries, institute libraries, and global sites, KARMS provides selected services to Research Library Association of South Manhattan member libraries and other affiliated libraries.


To Apply: www.nyucareers.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=59236