Library Information Specialist/Developer

Description

Overview

The University of Waterloo Library seeks a creative and collegial developer for the position of Library Information Technology Specialist/Developer. Reporting to the Head, Digital Initiatives, the incumbent will work on library software development activities to support the research, teaching and learning activities of the University of Waterloo. A focus of this position will be supporting  the development and maintenance of Drupal based projects and digital repositories, including in-house and open source products such as Islandora and our Online Learning Object Repository. In collaboration with other Digital Initiatives and library staff, the software development activities may encompass all phases of the software development lifecycle, including business analysis, initial configuration and setup, design, testing, updates, and ongoing support, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The Library Information Technology Specialist/Developer liaises with library staff to analyze needs and suggest technological solutions. 

The Digital Initiatives department supports proprietary and open source software, both locally hosted and cloud-based, supporting research, open access, scholarly communication, and digital scholarship projects. The department works closely with Library Technology and Facilities Services (LTFS) and campus Information Systems and Technology (IST) to bring projects into fruition and ensure ongoing support and maintenance.  

The Library supports many campus priorities including student wellness, sustainability, and the development of Indigenous initiatives, recognizing the responsibility of truth and reconciliation as outlined in the 94 Calls To Action. 

We welcome interested candidates to connect directly with Krista Godfrey, Head, Digital Initiatives, to learn more about this exciting position. Krista may be reached at +1-519-888-4567 ext. 40014 or by email at k3godfrey@uwaterloo.ca.  

To ensure consideration for this opportunity, please apply by August 27th, 2021.

Responsibilities

As a member of the Digital Initiatives team

• Works collaboratively with library staff to understand the technology needs and processes of library staff and users

• Keeps track of and responds to technology trends that may be beneficial to supporting the Library’s strategic directions

• Evaluates, selects and participates in technology deployments

• Works collaboratively with Library Technology and Facilities Services (LTFS) to ensure the reliable and effective operation of the Library’s technical infrastructure

• Participates as a member of a support team to ensure essential system functionality during times of vacation or illness

• Provides guidance to others in various projects and committees

• Participates in planning sessions in assigned service areas

• Provides mentoring support to colleagues

• Serves as a resource to the Head, Digital Initiatives

As a developer involved in technological solutions for the Library

• Serves as developer on projects related to areas of development expertise to provide new or enhanced services using a variety of technologies and languages

• Contributes to the configuration, customization and support of interfaces and application functionality for a variety of open source and commercial solutions used in the Library

• Identifies unmet functional requirements, works with users to develop specifications, evaluates available software, develops and documents programs and scripts that extend system functionality and automates routine tasks

• Performs detailed analysis and design of new systems, participates in in-house development in support of library projects and services

• Manages software development using version control systems and issue tracking

• Effectively plans, prioritizes and manages multiple concurrent assignments and tasks

• Works collaboratively to maintain, support, extend and refactor/rewrite production and legacy applications as needed and prioritized

• Researches and maintains an up-to-date knowledge of technologies to assist the Library in migrating legacy services to current technology standards

• Participates in the planning, development, prototyping and implementation of library information technologies

• Provides documentation of development activities

• Adheres to quality assurance standards and follows best practices

Solve a wide range of problems creatively and efficiently

• Resolves problems in a wide range of supported technologies

• Applies experience and judgment to explore possibilities, recognizing preferred approaches and solutions. Identifies circumstances when standard approaches to problem solving are practical as well as those requiring creative thinking and ingenuity

• Collaborates effectively with library staff and staff in other campus information technology (IT) departments to create solutions

Provides excellent client service

• Trains and provides support for staff in the technologies directly related to their areas of expertise

• Understands and effectively communicates complex technical concepts in ways that are appropriate to a variety of individuals and groups

• Provides assistance to other staff in investigating and resolving technology-related problems

Obtains and maintains technical knowledge

• Through practical experience and professional development, keeps abreast of current computing-related technology as it relates to currently used system configurations, technology used within the Library and University, and potential acquisitions related to client needs

• As the incumbent progresses through the career path, develops and strengthens expertise in one or more areas of specialization while broadening knowledge in other areas

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a computing discipline together with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated proficiency with two or more current web programming languages 
• Development or administrative experience with a web content-management system 
• Experience with Drupal, WordPress, or similar open-source content management system 
• Demonstrated proficiency applying best practices to technical projects 
• Demonstrated understanding of web accessibility guidelines and their practical use 
• Creativity and strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written 
• A strong commitment to high quality customer service 
• Demonstrated ability to interact and collaborate with all staff in a respectful and sensitive manner 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently without direct supervision and to work well in a team-based environment 
• Experience with team collaboration tools, version control systems, and application deployment 
• Demonstrated experience with Linux server platforms, related software, and basic system administration utilities 
   
  Assets: 
• Experience with PHP, Java, XML, XSLT is an asset 
• Experience with Solr is an asset 
• Experience with one or more relational database management systems is an asset 
• Familiarity with the Fedora Commons repository system and access layers (e.g., Islandora, Hydra) is an asset 
• Familiarity with Open Access digital scholarship publishing platforms (eg. Open Journal Systems) is an asset 
• Familiarity with the DSpace repository system is an asset 
• Experience in an academic setting is an asset 

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.