Metadata Librarian

Description

UVA Library is seeking a Metadata Librarian in the Metadata and Discovery Services (MDS) department. This position develops, implements, and accomplishes the goals and objectives of the MDS department in alignment with the strategic priorities of the Scholarly Resource & Content Strategy (SRCS) division and the University of Virginia Library. This position creates, enhances, and maintains descriptive metadata and metadata standards to improve discoverability and support interoperability with the appropriate metadata schemas, content standards, and controlled vocabularies.

The incumbent serves as the primary Metadata authority across the institution with a focus on indexing, mapping, crosswalking, maintaining, and enhancing Metadata. While the position focuses primarily on creating and maintaining non-MARC Metadata schemas and standards, the incumbent also collaborates on MARC Metadata to ensure interoperable metadata. The Metadata Librarian engages in departmental initiatives to promote reparative Metadata descriptions and support inclusive Metadata practices.

Responsibilities 

• Provides leadership to MDS in designing and executing policies, guidelines, and profiles for metadata projects involving non-MARC metadata schemas and standards.
• Develops non-MARC workflows to plan, coordinate, and conduct metadata enhancement to improve discoverability.
• Serves as an expert consultant on the development and implementation of metadata projects with a focus on best practices, quality control, tools, procedures, workflows, and standards.
• Collaborate on strategies for utilizing sematic technologies, such as RDF, schema.org, SPARQL, and existing collections.
• Creates and maintains local documentation on metadata standards and application profiles.
• Collaborates on the planning and development of sustainable solutions for optimizing metadata management, interoperability, and integration of metadata across systems.
• Contributes to innovation in metadata practices by engaging in academic discourse through scholarly publications or professional engagements.

Required Qualifications

The Library will be hiring into the following job profiles below based on qualifications and experience and the working title will be Metadata Librarian:

Librarian II:

• Education: Master's degree in Library Science from ALA Accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency substitution (per Department of Labor Equivalency Guidelines): Bachelor’s + 4 Years relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience: 4-9 years (post degree/experience equivalency).

Librarian III:

• Education: Master's degree in Library Science from ALA Accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency substitution (per Department of Labor Equivalency Guidelines): Bachelor’s + 4 Years relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience: 9 or more years (post degree/experience equivalency).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with established metadata and cataloging tools and standards and demonstrates a willingness to learn, while also viewing challenges as opportunities for professional growth
• Familiarity with evolving technologies and standards in resource description (e.g.: BIBFRAME, RDA, and RDF) and identity management (e.g., ORCID, VIAF, and BIBFRAME, et cetera).
• A commitment to explore and incorporate innovative tools that elevate digital accessibility and boost operational efficiency of metadata management and knowledge of metadata sharing and harvesting practices (e.g., OAI-PMH), metadata mapping, and linked data.
• Knowledge of analytical and transformational metadata tools (i.e.: OpenRefine, MarcEdit, et cetera) and programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python) for data manipulation, automation, and harvesting.
• Familiarity with sematic web technologies (e.g., RDF, schema.org, SPARQL, et cetera).
• Experience with PCC, NACO, BIBCO, CONSER, or SACO programs.
• Ability to communicate in writing to both technical and non-technical audiences.

The UVA Library is interested in reviewing candidates with a broad range of experiences, education, and qualifications. We are dedicated to building a dynamic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Anticipated starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience:

• Librarian II: $75,000 – $85,000
• Librarian III: $82,000 – $92,000

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits. 
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA designated as hybrid, and the successful candidate will be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week after a probationary period.

About UVA and the Community 

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA. 

Application review will begin after January 26, 2026. Preference will be given to applications received by this date.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future. 

How to Apply  

Please apply through Careers at UVA, and search for R0078668. On the job post, click on the "Apply Now" button. Complete an application with the following documents:   

• Resume
• Cover Letter - should include your interest in the position and how your relevant experience pertains to this position and the UVA Library

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF.   Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration. 

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.