Information Architect

Description

Information Architect - ITS (18 MONTH TERM, Pay Band 15)

Job Number: 1501578
Faculty / Division: Central Library System
Department: Central Library System
Campus: St. George (downtown Toronto) 

Description:
The successful applicant will lead the information architecture and design on a grant-funded digital scholarship project in the area of Medieval Studies. 

The project will extend the Omeka platform’s capacity to support manuscript studies through enhanced image viewing and annotation capabilities; develop a modular application for the visualization of manuscript collations; and to create an API that supports these developments by enabling data exchange between project components and standard digital scholarship platforms. 

Project deliverables include:

• Adaptation of an existing IIIF-compliant image viewer and OA Annotation application as plug-ins for the Omeka platform
• Development of a Manuscript Collation tool that interacts with IIIF-compliant image stores and annotations to support visualization of the structure of medieval manuscripts
• Development an API and Omeka plug-in to support data transport between IIIF-compliant image stores and other project components such as Omeka and the project Collation Tool

Working within a complex project environment, the successful applicant will work collaboratively in a multi-functional team of scholars and technical staff. The Information Architect specifies information architecture and technical project design work and ensures that suitable technical environments for the project work are identified, configured and deployed according to project timelines. During requirements and design phases the Information Architect will work in partnership with project partners to apply abstract and non-technical process modelling approaches to map project requirements to appropriate and innovative design solutions, as well as establish a close working relationships with the project librarian, subject experts, and other project partners, within the project team, library, university and externally as required

Qualifications: MINIMUM:

Education:
University degree with a focus in computer science, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:
Five (5) years of experience either in web-based application architecture, design, and development, or the same amount of leadership experience in web-based software development with clear evidence of a structured, architectural mindset and project management or technical supervisory experience. Work experience in a university or academic library setting would be considered an asset

Skills:

• Expert and current knowledge of design standards, best practices and practical techniques for user interface and information architecture design of academic and scholarly web-based resources and services is required
• Project management skills; ability to lead and motivate colleagues effectively in a team-based development environment
• Highly-developed understanding of the interdependent nature of users, content and context within large information systems
• Advanced graphical and technical web design skills required for the effective design of web-based resources
• Demonstrated programming skills in several of Java, PHP, Ruby on Rails, Python, or other similar languages in current use for web-based application development
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills; ability to negotiate priorities tactfully and effectively with a variety of stakeholders is required

Experience and familiarity with all of the following is required:

• Current graphical design and image manipulation software applications and techniques
• Use and development of reference architectures, models, or patterns
• Use of SOA protocols and platforms
• Integration of legacy systems with modern applications
• Identity management and single-sign-on tools and techniques
• Relational databases (MySQL)
• Use of object-oriented programming and MVC frameworks in web applications

Other:

• Knowledge of best practices in web-based pedagogy
• Effective problem solving and demonstrated self-directed learning
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines
• Ability to effectively balance workload while contributing across multiple projects
• Analytical ability; ability to conduct needs assessment, translate high-level non-technical project requirements into effective software design, and communicate technical design requirements effectively to team members
• Strong organizational skills; ability to work and research independently and as part of a team.

Travel: None

Notes: Position is an eighteen (18) month term.

Employee Group: United Steelworkers (USW)
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-time

Pay Scale Group and Hiring Rate: USW15 -- $75,818 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $96,958. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.

Percentage of FTE: 100

Job Field: Information Technology

Job Posting: Nov 27, 2015

Job Closing: Dec 7, 2015, 11:59:00 PM