Metadata Librarian

Overview of Position

The Library of the University of California (UC), Davis, seeks a forward-looking and entrepreneurial professional to join our team as the Metadata Librarian and advance the library's efforts to transform and improve discovery of library resources, collection management, and the organization and curation of data.

Reporting to the Head of Content Support Services, the Metadata Librarian will provide intellectual and professional leadership around metadata best practices for both traditional library collections as well as emerging and potential areas of curation, including both data acquired to support digital scholarship and data created by campus researchers. This role will function as a principal cataloger, performing original cataloging, serving as the library's liaison to the Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) and the Cooperative Online Serials Program (CONSER), managing cataloging projects, and collaborating closely with the Head of the Metadata Creation and Discovery Unit (MCDU) to provide training and consultation for MCDU team members.

As a member of the Content Support Services Department, the incumbent collaborates with others in the Scholarly Resources division to plan and coordinate policies, procedures, workflows, and projects.

Position Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Head of Content Support Services, the incumbent will:

• Create metadata for a diverse range of materials and oversee quality control for previously cataloged content
• Resolve complex metadata and database quality problems referred by colleagues
• Provide training and consultation for colleagues, especially the Metadata Creation and Discovery Unit
• Working in conjunction with the Head of Content Support Services, set priorities for metadata creation and processing of new materials
• Serve as the library's NACO and CONSER liaison
• Design, oversee, and participate in bibliographic database cleanup and enrichment projects
• Oversee aspects of bibliographic database management related to large-scale relocation projects, including updating metadata records to contemporary standards to enable off-site storage of materials
• Participate in transitioning the library to a Linked Data metadata creation environment, including testing cataloging environments and interfaces (e.g., those developed by Blue Core project, OCLC, or Ex Libris), manage related projects, and train cataloging staff in post-MARC metadata production
• Maintain knowledge of current resource description standards and tools
• Contribute to the work of the Library through participation in committees, task forces, and other collaborative projects
• Participate in national and international professional organizations and activities
• As an academic appointee, engage actively in pertinent ongoing research, scholarship, or creative activity and/or teaching, including peer review, dissemination, and corresponding university and disciplinary engagement
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities, as assigned

Required Qualifications for the Position

• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent
• Minimum five years' professional metadata creation experience with library materials (e.g., using RDA, AACR2R, LCSH, LCC, MARC 21 formats)
• Experience creating and/or editing NACO records; and with authority control processes
• Eagerness to explore and incorporate new technologies to enhance services and improve task efficiency
• Knowledge of emerging standards, technologies, tools, and developments related to resource description and access as well as identity management
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, culturally diverse environment
• Ability to plan, implement, and coordinate multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve problems, and to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong commitment to continued professional development
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Strong service orientation and interest in anticipating and supporting information users' values and needs

Preferred Qualifications for the Position

• Demonstrated experience working with official RDA guidelines
• Proficiency with metadata analysis and transformation tools (e.g., OpenRefine, MarcEdit) and scripting languages for data manipulation (e.g., Python, XSLT)
• Working knowledge of at least one language other than English
• Experience creating controlled vocabularies
• Experience cataloging within a consortium environment
• Experience with non-MARC metadata standards
• Experience using and integrating RESTful APIs in library systems or metadata workflows
• Familiarity with semantic technologies and linked data concepts, including the BIBFRAME ontology
• Appetite to mentor library school interns
• Evidence of commitment to fostering an inclusive environment
• Ability to meet UC criteria for appointment and advancement in the Librarian Series, including professional service and/or contributions to the field
• Demonstrated record of accomplishment in research, scholarship, or creative activity and/or teaching consonant with an academic appointment