Metadata and Discovery Librarian

Description

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Metadata and Discovery Librarian

Position Title:  Metadata and Discovery Librarian 

Unit: Discovery & Technology Services 

Term: Continuing Track Appointment  

Queen’s University Library invites applications for the position of Metadata and Discovery Librarian. We are seeking a collaborative and service-oriented individual to provide leadership in managing metadata and discovery services that support the library’s vision to inspire learning, spark creativity, and build a community for teaching, learning, and research.

Description:

Located at Queen’s University in Kingston and reporting to the Head, Discovery & Technology Services (DTS) at Queen’s University Library (QUL), the Metadata and Discovery (M&D) Librarian provides forward-looking, transformative leadership for the management of metadata systems and processes and ensures excellent discoverability of and access to Library information resources.

The M&D Librarian is responsible for connecting our users with the Library’s information resources through the management of metadata, physical and electronic resources, and discovery and access. Informed by knowledge of tools, best practices, and trends, the M&D Librarian manages a team of technicians responsible for services related to metadata, physical and electronic information resource management, discovery and access. The M&D Librarian provides leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating metadata strategies, policies and procedures, contributing to the Library’s overall discovery & metadata strategies and coordinating projects to support emerging library needs. The M&D Librarian supports the overall work and goals of the Library by contributing to strategic objectives, representing the Library’s interests with consortia and vendor partners, taking on a project leadership role and/or participating in projects.

The full position description can be found here.

Qualifications:

Required:

- An ALA accredited M.L.S./M.L.I.S. degree or equivalent background

- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication skills

- Strong service philosophy and a commitment to effective user experience

- Relevant experience in metadata and/or cataloguing and electronic resource management, preferably in an academic library environment

- Knowledge of current issues and trends in physical and electronic resource management, metadata management, and discovery

- Knowledge of web-based applications and ability to engage with new technologies

- Experience working with bibliographic control and metadata systems and standards

o   Knowledge of current cataloguing rules, standards, and controlled vocabularies, including RDA, LC Classification, and LCSH

o   Working knowledge of and experience with MARC21

- Knowledge of or experience with utilizing/managing the following systems: link resolver, proxy authentication, integrated library system or library services platform, and discovery service

- Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to: initiate, organize, and follow through on priorities, working independently and as part of a team; take responsibility for following up on unresolved issues; take responsibility for appropriate communications

- Demonstrated analytical, technical, and troubleshooting skills

o   Demonstrated advanced problem-solving skills and orientation, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and drive to tackle issues and bring them to successful conclusion

o   Strong skills with standard office tools including Microsoft Excel

-  A high degree of computer literacy, with a demonstrated ability to analyze and solve technical challenges

- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills to manage and develop a team and experience in training and staff development; ability to embrace change, think creatively, and work independently, with appropriate consultation.

Preferred:

- Experience with physical and electronic information resource management tools and processes and discovery tools (especially Ex Libris Alma and Primo VE)

- Understanding of the Canadian university libraries consortial landscape with respect to the management of physical and electronic resources and discovery

- Thorough understanding of information resource description and management strategies in a current discovery environment

- Experience with other non-MARC metadata formats, standards or schema including Dublin Core and others such as JATS, BITS, DDI, METS, MODS, PREMIS or TEI

- Ability to understand mapping and develop communication between different metadata standards

- Understanding of linked data principles, including RDF and ontologies

- Knowledge of XML and XML DTD/schema and systems interoperability tools such as APIs

- Demonstrated skills with scripting languages and/or tools for data manipulation (e.g. OpenRefine, Python, XSLT, etc.)

- Aptitude for learning new technologies and metadata standards.

Applications:

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

To comply with federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information as to how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens / permanent residents of Canada.  Applicants need not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”; OR, “I am not a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”. Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.

A complete application consists of:

- a cover letter (including one of the two statements regarding Canadian citizenship / permanent resident status specified in the previous paragraph);

- a current Curriculum Vitae;

- the names of three referees, one of whom must be a current or recent supervisor,

The deadline for applications is June 28, 2020.

Applicants are asked to send all documents in their application packages electronically as a single PDF to library.hr@queensu.ca

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs.  If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Samira Dean at samira.dean@queensu.ca

Salary and rank will commensurate with qualifications and experience.