Data Services Librarian

Description

POSITION TITLE: Data Services Librarian
DEPARTMENT: Research Support Services, MacOdrum Library

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Department Head, Research Support Services, the Data Services Librarian participates as a team member within one of the Research Support Services Subject Teams and is also a member of the Data Services Group. The incumbent participates in the design and delivery of library data services to support teaching, learning and research activities at Carleton University. The incumbent is responsible for providing general reference and instruction for data, which includes collection development and reference specialization. Working closely with the Data Services Group, as well as with colleagues within the Department and across the Library, the incumbent develops, manages, and delivers library services related to data as well as research data management.

The Data Services Librarian is a member of the CUASA bargaining unit.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports administratively and functionally to the Head, Research Support Services. In consultation with the Department Head, in collaboration with the Data Services Group and in line with overall library and departmental plans and policies, determines the objectives and means to ensure the timely and effective fulfillment of the position assignment. Liaises with the GIS Librarian to ensure linkage of geospatial and numeric data services. Performs work with a high degree of independence and flexibility in establishing work goals. Participates in the setting of new and revised policies and advises the Department Head about Data Services.
• Provides training and guidance to library staff on data-related information services, resources, and problem-solving approaches to handle data-related reference support.
• Participates in one of the three Subject Teams in the department as a team member. Attends other team meetings periodically to communicate activities and information about Data Services.
• Works collaboratively with the Data Services Group and with other functional librarians (e.g., Scholarly Communications and Research Engagement, GIS, Teaching & Learning, and Copyright) to ensure that the needs of faculty and students requiring specialized expertise are understood and met.
• Keeps abreast of new sources of both qualitative and quantitative data that will broaden the collection in support of the scholarly research community and, where possible, acquires and manages these data using the appropriate data management techniques, up to and including a complete data rescue.
• Serves on University committees, participates in Library-wide task forces and working groups, and represents the organization at appropriate local, regional, national, and international forums.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides specialized research support and instruction services

• Works with faculty and students who require help with all data-related questions: discover, collect, mine, extract, analyze, apply, maintain, secure, curate, display, share, and publish data. Provides guidance on appropriate repositories for selecting and storing data. Supports projects involving multifarious forms of data (GIS, demographic, bibliographic, numerical, text, sound, image, etc.), as well as projects in which data is being digitized from analog sources.
• Provides advice and expert assistance to academic staff or research teams in the process of developing research proposals, designing research strategies, as well as on data collection and research data management issues.
• Works with the Carleton University Research Data Centre’s Academic Director and Analyst to ensure seamless service between public use microdata and confidential Statistics Canada data in the RDC. Maintains an awareness of Statistics Canada data-related issues and initiatives.
• Develops and delivers training for both technical skills and problem-solving skills on topics such as data manipulation and analysis, data management planning, file and citation management, and data visualization to a variety of users, including librarians, students, staff, and faculty.
• Works with departmental colleagues and staff in other library departments to provide services to all academic departments supported by the Carleton University Library.
• Participates in the training of library staff, interns, and other collaborators.

1. Coordinates acquisition and management of data resources

• Works closely with the Data Services Group to develop and deliver data services.
• Manages collection development, organization, and maintenance of data collections.
• Evaluates data availability and reliability, maintaining current documentation as required.
• Works collaboratively with Library staff and academic units to identify and meet data needs relevant to the teaching and research priorities of the university.
• Works collaboratively with Library Technology Services staff and other IT groups on campus to ensure that data management issues are addressed, as needed.
• Actively maintains current awareness of data collection practices, evaluates new technological developments for data management, and maintains external contacts with data librarians in other academic institutions to exchange information about best practices of data management.
• Actively maintains current awareness of common data-related standards, including DDI.

1. Develops and maintains website content for data collections and services

• Provides oversight and management for the data web site to ensure that it is current and meets information needs of staff and clients.
• Working in conjunction with the Data Services Group, designs and keeps current the data web pages to ensure discovery of data resources and instruction in their use.

1. Engages in professional and academic development, which may include:

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge on new forms of data and new sources of data, common qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and standards, data analysis tools and techniques, data visualization tools, data delivery systems, data repositories, and research data management.
• Takes specialized data-related training, as required.
• Actively participates in national and international organizations for data management, with particular emphasis on Canadian and international data user organizations.
• Makes progress in the fields of librarianship and information studies by engaging in research, development and/or scholarly work.
• Contributes to the profession through work with associations.

1. Participates in library and academic committee work, and performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with common qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, descriptive statistics, including data analysis tools & techniques (e.g., SPSS, Stata, NVivo, SAS, R)
• Expertise with numeric data sources, including published statistics, for one or more disciplines, and willingness/interest in adding others.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Google Charts, Tableau Public) and data gathering, management and delivery systems (e.g., Dataverse, ODESI).
• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate metadata standards, e.g., DDI, Dublin Core.
• Understanding of issues and trends in relevant policies and the communication and publication of research data.
• Applied knowledge of issues and technical challenges related to data management and curation, including format migration, preservation, metadata, data retrieval and use issues.
• Flexibility to work with faculty, staff, and researchers across a broad range of disciplines.
• Proven ability to initiate and work in a complex and rapidly changing organization, and to bring projects to conclusion in a timely fashion.
• Effective analytical, organizational, oral, and written communications, and interpersonal skills.
• Aptitude for teaching and developing instructional content and documentation for internal and external users.
• Strong public service orientation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an accredited library school is required.
Experience: A minimum of 3 years’ experience with techniques and technologies for engaging with data. Academic, government, or research centre experience preferred, with emphasis on public service.