Data Services Librarian, Librarian III or IV

Description

Librarian III or IV

UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers.

As the largest publicly-funded library system in New England, the UMass Amherst Libraries are key partners in teaching, learning, and research at UMass Amherst and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Libraries are recognized internationally as leaders in such areas as Open Education Resources and Scholarly Communications, and in the development of innovative student spaces including a variety of Learning Commons and the first large-scale 3D printing center in a university library anywhere. The main library building, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, is the tallest academic library structure in the world, named for the Massachusetts native,  founder of the NAACP, and life-long scholar on the subject of social change, and is home to the Du Bois Papers, a 100,000+ item collection. Supporting freedom of inquiry, the Libraries foster a diverse and inclusive environment in which to engage with ideas and acquire the critical skills necessary for lifelong learning. 

The UMass Amherst Libraries seek a dynamic and innovative Data Services Librarian. The incumbent will lead the UMass Amherst Libraries’ efforts to support faculty, researchers, and students in the management of their research data throughout the research life-cycle; coordinate instruction sessions related to research data management for faculty, researchers, and students; provide consultations with researchers and research groups in partnership with subject librarians; and develop partnerships with key university stakeholders, including UMass Amherst’s Office of Research and Engagement and Information Technology as well as external institutions. 

Example of Duties:

1.            Provide support and instruction in the use of tools, technologies, and methods to transform, manage, analyze, share, preserve, and present research data to faculty, researchers, and students;

2.            Coordinate instruction sessions related to research data management for faculty, researchers, and students.  Lead efforts to educate and empower subject librarians to provide research data management services;

3.            Design a sustainable framework for providing services such as assistance with data management plans for grant applications, workshops on data management, and online self-help;

4.            Provide consultations with researchers and research groups in partnership with subject librarians regarding research data management planning, metadata, and other related topics;

5.            Work with the Institutional Repository Librarian on issues related to including research data in the  Institutional Repository;

6.            Develop partnerships with relevant university stakeholders, including UMass Amherst’s Office of Research and Engagement, Information Technology, and external institutions; 

7.            Serve as liaison to UMass Amherst’s Office of Research & Engagement and Information Technology on data management initiatives;

8.            Work collaboratively with campus stakeholders, including compliance officers, to develop information policies, services, and infrastructure to enable faculty and students to preserve and make available their research data according to legal and regulatory requirements;

9.            Support campus efforts to preserve and protect institutional information and research data using best practices in information management, privacy, and security;

10.          Work with UMass Amherst Libraries’ departments and technical experts to develop infrastructures and services that enhance access to data;

11.          Formally assess campus-wide data management needs and current support services and activities for continuous improvement;

12.          Monitor changes in data management policy issues and keep current on trends and best practices that impact the University and the Libraries; 

13.          Maintain an awareness of current tools and methodologies for computationally centered, data-driven research (data mining, visualization, text mining, etc.);

14.          Maintain awareness of subject or disciplinary repositories of potential interest to the UMass Amherst community;

15.          May be asked to represent the Libraries at Five College Committees and Boston Library Consortium Committees, or other selected professional meetings and conferences;

16.          Participate in library-wide task forces and committees;

17.          Understand and contribute to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity;

18.          Understand responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behave in ways consistent both with law and with University policy;

19.                          Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercise care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others;

20.          Use data and assessment techniques to support evidence-based changes to services, programs, and the user experience;

21.          Oversee the accurate and timely availability of documentation for all procedures and processes;

22.          Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the Library and the department.

Required Qualifications:

1.            Master’s degree in library science – or equivalent degree – from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or its appropriate equivalent in librarianship from another country, or have appropriate equivalent experience. 

2.            Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience providing data management services to users in an academic setting.

3.            Demonstrated knowledge of data management practices, data curation practices, and preservation principles and practices.

4.            Understanding of research process as demonstrated by academic or work experience.

5.            Demonstrated knowledge of issues & technical challenges related to data management/curation, including format migration, preservation, metadata, data retrieval, and use issues.

6.            Ability to maintain knowledge on a broad range of data repositories, including submission requirements, intellectual property, and use arrangements, and provide guidance on repository selection for deposit.

7.            Ability to use technology in creative ways to solve problems and/or facilitate workflow.

8.            Experience working with DMPTool (or similar tools) to prepare management plans.

9.            Experience working with researchers and administrators in an academic environment.

10.          Familiarity with data sharing policies for U.S. federally funded research and emerging best practices for compliance with funder requirements.

11.          Demonstrated awareness of issues related to privacy and confidentiality for human subjects research and other research involving protected data.

12.          Familiarity with digital repository systems, such as Fedora/Hydra, DSpace, Islandora, Archivematica, or others.

13.          Evidence of the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; strong analytical and organizational skills.

14.          Ability to manage time and multiple projects in a complex, changing environment with a positive, flexible, creative, and innovative attitude.

15.          Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of staff and students.

16.          Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment, including remaining calm under pressure.

17.          Ability to contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace, defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.

18.          Strong service orientation and the ability to meet the public graciously and tactfully.  Strong customer service attitude and initiative.

19.          Understanding and contribution to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination, and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.

 Preferred:

1.            Experience that includes cross-disciplinary subject knowledge and research background in data management in one or more areas of science, social sciences, or humanities.

2.            Coursework or certification in data management, curation, or preservation.

SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Application Instructions:

Please apply online at http://umass.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=84149 and submit a letter of application, resume, and contact information (phone and email) for three professional references by June 12, 2017 for priority consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is strongly committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. As part of a commitment to its own multicultural community, the Library seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace University initiatives and aspirations. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities, and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.