Metadata Operations Specialist
Metadata Operations Specialist
University Job Title: Metadata Librarian
Bargaining Unit: None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)
Time Type: Full time
Duration Type: Regular
Compensation Grade: library
Wage Ranges: Click https://your.yale.edu/work-yale/careers/wage-ranges to see our Wage Ranges
Work Location: Central Campus
Worksite Address: 344 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
Work Week: Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)
Searchable Job Family: Library
Total # of Hours to be Works: 37.5
Position Focus:
Yale Library seeks a dynamic and collaborative Metadata Operations Specialist to join the Metadata Services Unit (MSU) within the Resource Discovery Services (RDS) department. Reporting to the MSU Manager, the Metadata Operations Specialist will work closely with colleagues across departments, metadata policy committees, and national and international professional networks to design, implement, and maintain innovative metadata workflows and technologies that align with Yale's strategic priorities.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of metadata operations at Yale Library, balancing a commitment to innovation with a strong service orientation. One of the library's strategic directions is to ensure broad access to the scholarly and cultural record, and this role is critical to advancing that goal, which depends on metadata standardization, data quality, and interoperability across multiple systems.
The Metadata Operations Specialist will help lead efforts to enhance metadata quality and support metadata governance, including developing strategies to transition from legacy data formats to linked open data standards such as BIBFRAME. This position requires a strong understanding of metadata standards and familiarity with systems and procedures for authority control, entity management, and knowledge organization, including the Library of Congress Authorities and Vocabularies, VIAF, and Wikidata. The incumbent will play a key role in implementing and managing integrated authority control within the Alma Library Services Platform, ensuring that entities and identities in Yale discovery systems are represented accurately and ethically, while advocating for metadata best practices across the organization.
In this role, the Metadata Operations Specialist will leverage technical expertise to develop and execute automated solutions for metadata transformation and reconciliation. Usage of scripting languages such as Python and query languages such as SQL, SPARQL, or XQuery, as well as metadata tools and APIs, will be important for optimizing workflows and driving efficiency in metadata operations. The incumbent will also explore and recommend innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning methods, to advance metadata processes and support the library's evolving metadata ecosystem.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of this position. The Metadata Operations Specialist will engage with metadata creators and stakeholders, Library IT, and external partners to ensure the adoption of effective metadata standards and practices. The incumbent will represent Yale Library in regional and national professional organizations, integrating emerging trends and best practices into local workflows. Additionally, the specialist will design and deliver training programs and create documentation to enhance metadata expertise and build capacity across the library and in the broader profession.
The Metadata Services Unit follows a hybrid work schedule based on operational needs, in which staff may work remotely two days a week and on site for three. Yale Library reviews work schedules annually.
This position will be assigned a rank of Librarian 1 to Librarian 3. Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions.
Essential Duties:
1. Creates and implements appropriate metadata strategies for digital projects, including analyzing metadata needs and developing workflows. 2. Performs analysis, remediation, and normalization of metadata in the library's online catalogs and discovery layer. 3. Reviews, converts, and remediates metadata for digitized legacy collections. Provides consultation on metadata standards and applications to collection owners, faculty and staff. 4. Participates in the planning and implementation of library-wide digital initiatives and projects. 5. Manages metadata projects and ensures their timely progress and completion. Provides training and creates documentation as needed. 6. Applies programming and scripting skills in support of the technical requirements and production needs for metadata creation, conversion, enhancement, and maintenance. Develops and/or customizes applications and tools for automation and innovation. 7. Participates in the development of the infrastructure and workflows of the Library's digital repositories. Coordinates metadata activities and advises on metadata function improvement, enhancement, and troubleshooting in support of those repositories. Acts as liaison between department and Library IT staff. 8. Develops and provides technical training for staff within the department and across the library in metadata standards and best practices. 9. Engages in ongoing professional development by seeking training and learning opportunities inside and outside of Yale to keep up with new developments in the field of metadata and discovery technologies. 10. Serves on departmental and library-wide committees, and engages in regional and national professional organizations and collaborative activities. 11. Participates in the library's management, assessment, training and development programs. 12. Establishes a record of service to the Library, the University and the profession. 13. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. 14. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
1. Master's degree from an ALA?accredited library school. In selected instances, a post?graduate degree in a related discipline may be required or substituted for a master's degree in library science. 2. Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to conclusion in a timely fashion. 3. Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability; accuracy and attention to detail. 4. Experience working collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations. 5. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment. Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://guides.library.yale.edu/content.php?pid=481538&sid=3945968.
Required Skill/Ability 1:
Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging conceptual data models and library metadata standards (descriptive, structural, technical, administrative). Experience with mapping, transforming, and integrating disparate metadata from different systems.
Required Skill/Ability 2:
Knowledge of authority control standards and processes and entity and identity management efforts, including LC/NAF, VIAF, ORCID, and ISNI.
Required Skill/Ability 3:
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and disseminate knowledge gained from research findings and present ideas that align with the library's and university's strategic plans; guide and train staff during implementation; and maintain relevant documentation.
Required Skill/Ability 4:
Demonstrated interest in applying new technologies, including linked data in libraries and its underlying infrastructure (graph databases, data reconciliation techniques, serialization formats such as Turtle and JSON-LD), SPARQL, open knowledge graph platforms (Wikibase, Wikidata), etc.
Required Skill/Ability 5:
Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of data formats (e.g., CSV, JSON, and XML) as well as RESTful APIs. Exposure to programming/scripting languages (XSLT, XQuery, Python, shell scripting, Java, Ruby, etc.).
Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:
Working familiarity with one or more library management systems (preferably Ex Libris Alma). Experience with Agile or Kanban project management principles. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks. Ability to leverage artificial intelligence strategically and appropriately. Knowledge of one or more languages other than English.
Drug Screen: No
Health Screening: No
Background Check Requirements:
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement:
Posting Disclaimer:
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6094412
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