Position Announcement: Metadata Librarian, University of Tennessee
Holly Mercer
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES
FACULTY VACANCY
Metadata Librarian
Appointment Rank: Assistant Professor
Salary: minimum $52,000
Available: September 1, 2017, or earlier if search is completed
The University of Tennessee Libraries seeks a curious, innovative, and
technically proficient individual to serve as Metadata Librarian. Reporting to
the head of Cataloging & Metadata Services, the Metadata Librarian enhances
resource discovery and improves access to collections by implementing and
supporting metadata strategies associated with digital scholarship and special
collections. Working closely with colleagues in the digital library program,
the Metadata Librarian will develop workflows to improve efficiency and
metadata quality. Serving as the expert on non-MARC metadata, the librarian is
expected to participate in decision-making for library digital projects, to
coordinate the integration of metadata into production of digital collections,
and assist in supporting the Digital Public Library of America service hub for
the state of Tennessee.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Consult with and advise partners and project stakeholders on metadata
design based on project requirements
● Create, transform, remediate, and enhance descriptive metadata,
primarily in MODS, and train others to do so
● Perform metadata audits of existing digital collections, participate
in migration of legacy digital collections to new platforms, and ensure
compliance with local and international metadata standards
● Maintain awareness of trends in metadata and resource discovery; share
and apply that knowledge in the incumbent’s work
● Serve the library profession through involvement in professional
organizations and through cooperative efforts with other information
professionals
● Engage in scholarly activity through publications, presentations, and
other creative outlets
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
● Master’s degree from an ALA accredited program or doctorate in
relevant field
● Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in
a diverse academic community
● Experience in resource description, including MODS or MARC/RDA
● Working knowledge of XML and XSLT
● Demonstrated understanding of controlled vocabularies and ontologies
● Aptitude for complex, analytical work with the ability to manage
multiple priorities and competing deadlines
● Evidence of ability to engage in research, publication, and service
consonant with University and Libraries guidelines for tenure and promotion
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
● Experience with one or more scripting languages such as Ruby, Python,
or Perl
● Experience with OAI-PMH
● Experience using tools for metadata manipulation, such as OpenRefine,
Oxygen, or Catmandu
● Experience with digital repository platforms (e.g., Fedora Commons,
Islandora, or ArchivesSpace), their associated workflows, and accompanying
metadata schemes (e.g., Dublin Core)
● Experience with linked data and RDF
● Experience with structural, technical, or preservation metadata
● Experience working with researcher identities such as ORCID or ISNI
● Project management experience
● Training experience
ENVIRONMENT:
The University of Tennessee Libraries serves the campus, a land-grant Carnegie
university and the flagship campus of the state university system. The UT
Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the
university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the
Knoxville campus — through outstanding print and electronic collections,
reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and
technological resources. The John C. Hodges Main Library, Webster C.
Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library, and George F. DeVine
Music Library serve the Knoxville campus.
The UT Libraries serves as an intellectual, cultural, and social center for
the university and community. We are a national leader in the creation of
regionally significant digital collections; in support of open access though
our digital repository Trace; and through a rich history of designing
innovative spaces and building key partnerships that enhance the teaching/
learning enterprise. The University of Tennessee Libraries is a member of
the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern
Research Libraries, the Digital Library Federation, Lyrasis, and the Center
for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state
level with the other UT System Libraries as well as the libraries in the
Tennessee Board of Regents system.
The UT Libraries participate in cultural programming on the UT campus, hosting
a Writers In The Library series of readings, international and documentary
film series, and co-sponsoring programs with campus groups such as the Baker
Center for Public Policy and UT’s Ready For The World initiative.
The UT Libraries champions diversity in collections and staffing. The
University of Tennessee is committed to creating a welcoming environment.
More information about how we continually strive to put our principles of
civility and community into action here in Knoxville is available at
http://www.utk.edu/diversity/.
Additional information about this position and the UT community is available
at https://www.lib.utk.edu/employment/metadata-librarian
BENEFITS:
Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a minimum salary of
$52,000. Faculty rank and status; twelve-month, tenure-track appointment.
Library faculty must meet University requirements for promotion and tenure.
Excellent benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of state retirement
plan (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (VOYA, TIAA, VALIC) with
nonrefundable contributions paid for the employee by the University; optional
group health and life insurance plans. Tuition remission is available for all
university employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available
to dependent children and spouses of UT employees. Start-up funding in the
amount of $10,000 allocated over a three-year period; annual support for
travel & professional development.
UT’s Prospective Faculty Viewbook has information on academic support,
personal support, and living in Knoxville.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hiring. In
order to be considered for candidacy, you must submit a cover letter
addressing the above qualifications, a current resume or CV, and the names,
addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three recent references
to: Elizabeth Greene, Manager, Library Dean’s Office and Human Resources, 1015
Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996-1000. Application materials may be sent
via email attachment to ejgr...@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin
February 20, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and
admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical
or mental disability, or covered veteran status. Eligibility and other terms
and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are
governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-
discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and
regulations. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not
discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education
programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the
University. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and
national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability),
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran
status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840
Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498. Requests
for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at
the Office of Equity and Diversity.