Technical Services and Systems Librarian

Description

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization.  We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.   

The Technical Services and Systems Librarian will serve as a member of the Arnold Library’s professional staff, under the direction of the Library Services Manager.  The incumbent serves as the technical lead for the library’s collection management, access, and discovery systems and servers, and internal staff systems used to manage library operations; works collaboratively to develop, refine, and implement policies, procedures, workflows, metadata standards and crosswalks for digital collections; collaborates with the Collection Development & Acquisitions Librarian in the overall management of digital and print collections; and provides support as needed for general library functions.

This is a full-time hybrid position that requires occasional on-campus presence (approximately 1-2 days/week as needed to manage the library’s physical collection), with allowance for flexible work hours.

Responsibilities

Systems

• Manage and administer the library management platform and other systems related to access and discovery of the library collections, including but not limited to serials and electronic resources management, interlibrary loan, and remote access authentication
• Collaborate and liaise with various Center IT departments and external vendors to manage timely software upgrades and system enhancements for all managed systems
• Troubleshoot and work with library staff, users, contractors, and vendors to resolve technical issues (access problems, etc.)
• Manage user accounts and authentication for Library systems
• Support the self-checkout application
• Collaborate with the library’s Web Production Associate on integrations between discovery systems and general library web systems to streamline and simplify access and discovery of library-managed content for end-users
• Act as technical backup on systems managed by the library’s Web Production Associate
• Work with other members of the library team to identify, evaluate, plan, implement and maintain the online collection and tools
• Provide training and support for library staff for all managed systems and tools

Metadata & Cataloging

• Apply knowledge of principles of cataloging, subject analysis, classification, and authority control according to recognized rules and standards, including NLM Classification, LC Classification and MeSH across all library (or Fred Hutch) systems that would benefit from structured metadata
• Perform primary cataloging of library materials
• Train and supervise the catalog or metadata related work of teammates
• Identify and adapt applicable national/international cataloging or metadata standards to the local environment
• Determine the best means for acquiring bibliographic records and/or metadata from vendors or other libraries/agencies
• Monitor, identify, adapt and apply evolving metadata standards in support of the library’s digital collections (archives, institutional repository, web sites, library catalog and other systems)
• Catalog and organize for access and use, special materials, such as archives and manuscript collections
• Participate in and contribute expertise to cross-functional teams developing and supporting institutional metadata initiatives

Marketing & Communications

• Participate in departmental marketing efforts. Write Center News articles, factsheets, library web page content or other informative materials for patrons
• Inform library staff and end users of new resources and subscriptions

Metrics & Reporting

• Compile and distribute routine reports on metrics/statistics for various library services and systems
• Creation and maintenance of documentation related to all duties 

Professional Development

• Keep current in trends in electronic library resources and technical services.  Communicate developments in, and promotes state of the art applications of, electronic-based information resources
• Through self-directed, independent study and coursework, remain up-to-date in relevant skills and competencies, and maintain expert user level knowledge of Library databases, licensed content and tools
• Seek out and participate in training or informational opportunities that continue the development of relevant skills and competencies

General

• Act as primary staff contact for general library account eligibility and circulation questions/issues
• As a member of the general team of librarians, perform literature searching, web searching, use reference materials, answer reference questions, complete citation verifications and assist patrons
• Provide basic assistance/troubleshooting to users of the Shared Resources Computer Center; escalate issues to Shared Resources IT staff and/or other Fred Hutch staff as appropriate
• Provide training and troubleshooting service to individuals or groups of patrons on any library applications, licensed resources or tools appropriate to our patron community needs
• Attend various staff and individual meetings, work on special projects as assigned, individually or as a member of a team
• Share responsibilities for the smooth running of the day-to-day operations (patron service, facility maintenance, staff supervision, etc.) with other librarians.  This includes stepping forward to take on or delegate responsibilities normally owned by other team members in their absence
• Other duties or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• BS/BA with five years of employment in a library to include at least two years managing library systems and websites
• One year of experience in cataloging or metadata creation at professional or paraprofessional level or comparable graduate coursework
• Demonstrated substantial experience with an integrated library system/library management platform
• Familiarity with relational databases and handling a variety of data formats
• Working knowledge of NLM Classification, MeSH, LC Classification, LCSH, MARC 21, AACR2, and RDA
• Ability to use OCLC’s WorldShare Management Services library management platform and online authority files
• Demonstrated skills with tools such as Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, HTML,XML/XSLT, SQL
• Demonstrated/documented evidence of successful management of projects
• Ability to manage accurately and efficiently, a large volume of detailed work
• Accurate typing and data entry skills are necessary
• Willingness to contribute to the overall function and progress of the department
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, and effective oral and written communications skills
• Well established analytical and organizational skills
• Team-oriented with a proven commitment or experience with patron/customer service

Preferred qualifications:

• An ALA accredited Master’s degree in Librarianship (MLS/MLIS)
• Experience with scripting languages (i.e. PHP, javascript, perl and unix shell scripts)
• Experience with content management systems
• Working knowledge of
  • EAD (Encoded Archival Description) and archival descriptive standards, including DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
  • Digital library community-based standards (OAI-PMH/ORE, OpenURL, etc.)
  • Semantic Web technologies & concepts (RDF, etc.)
  • BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework Initiative)
• Experience using evolving standards for metadata, such as Dublin Core, METS, and MODS
• Demonstrated commitment to integrate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into library systems and/or metadata work
• Experience with remote teams
• Experience developing and following collection policies, weeding protocols and inventory assessments
• Experience with E-discovery and E-resource management systems

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations.
As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment. 

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.