What are the responsibilities and job description for the Metadata Specialist (UChicago Node) position at University of Chicago?
Department
Library IT & DS - DLDC
About The Department
In support of free inquiry and expression, the University of Chicago Library is transforming the global knowledge environment to be open, accessible, and equitable. We enable the University of Chicago and our greater community to create a better world through effective information services, a comprehensive connected collection, and a culture of innovation, respect, and partnership.
The Digitization Unit specializes in capturing and converting a diverse range of paper-based and media materials for both University of Chicago users and a global audience. The primary aim is to preserve these materials, enhance accessibility, and promote the discoverability of the Library's general and special collections.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Head of Digitization, the UChicagoNode Metadata Specialist performs cataloging work in support of the NEH-funded UChicagoNode project, a partnership between the University of Chicago Library and the Humanities Division to bring together existing digital assets and interfaces from Library and faculty projects into a comprehensive, modernized, sustainable digital humanities ecosystem. The Metadata Specialist will create or modify metadata for digital collections which will be included in UChicagoNode according to established specifications and formats, ensuring high quality and acccuracy.
Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Job Family
Library
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Range
$54,000.00 - $60,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Library IT & DS - DLDC
About The Department
In support of free inquiry and expression, the University of Chicago Library is transforming the global knowledge environment to be open, accessible, and equitable. We enable the University of Chicago and our greater community to create a better world through effective information services, a comprehensive connected collection, and a culture of innovation, respect, and partnership.
The Digitization Unit specializes in capturing and converting a diverse range of paper-based and media materials for both University of Chicago users and a global audience. The primary aim is to preserve these materials, enhance accessibility, and promote the discoverability of the Library's general and special collections.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Head of Digitization, the UChicagoNode Metadata Specialist performs cataloging work in support of the NEH-funded UChicagoNode project, a partnership between the University of Chicago Library and the Humanities Division to bring together existing digital assets and interfaces from Library and faculty projects into a comprehensive, modernized, sustainable digital humanities ecosystem. The Metadata Specialist will create or modify metadata for digital collections which will be included in UChicagoNode according to established specifications and formats, ensuring high quality and acccuracy.
Responsibilities
- Manages metadata creation for both retrospectively digitized and born-digital collections, ensuring effective workflow management and adherence to standards and best practices. Oversees the entire metadata creation process, from initial planning through to implementation. Ensures that both retrospectively digitized materials and newly created digital content meet established standards and best practices, facilitates optimal discoverability and usability of the collections; refining workflow processes to enhance efficiency and productivity across the team.
- Manages metadata entry processes, ensuring high quality and accuracy, and conduct data exports for digital collections. Oversees the metadata entry workflow, implements quality control measures to maintain high standards of accuracy and consistency. Conducts regular data exports to ensure that digital collections are updated and accessible, facilitates user engagement and enhances the overall user experience.
- Imports metadata from external sources, adding to existing documentation about local metadata practices. Imports metadata from various external sources, enriching the existing collection and documentation of local metadata practices. Evaluate and integrates external metadata while ensuring that it aligns with our institutional standards, thereby enhancing the richness and usability of our digital collections.
- Implements metadata policies and standards, including descriptive, structural, technical, administrative, and rights metadata, to facilitate digital collection production, management, and access. Develops and implements comprehensive metadata policies that encompass all facets of metadata creation and management. Ensures that descriptive, structural, technical, administrative, and rights metadata are systematically applied, supporting effective digital collection production and management while enhancing user access and navigation.
- Manages the creation of metadata inventories for both internal digitization efforts and vendor-partnered projects. In conjunction with other team members, develop and maintains detailed inventories to ensure comprehensive tracking of materials, provides clear documentation of the metadata quality and compliance with relevant standards. Coordinates with external repositories and platforms to align metadata inventories, ensures seamless integration and adherence to both institutional and external standards.
- Actively collaborates with the Digital Collections Working Group, Technical Services, SCRC, and other units to apply current and emerging metadata schemas, enhancing digital collection discoverability; focusing on enhancing the discoverability of our digital collections, ensuring they are accessible and easily navigable for users.
- The job performs routine assignments in a library unit in the acquisition and processing of library materials and resources. Resolves processing problems with units.
- Assists in setting policies for collections. Participates in designing and implementing workflows for acquiring materials for collections.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, or equivalent, with a focus on digital libraries, metadata, or related field.
- Minimum of 1-year relevant library or related experience.
- Demonstrated experience with MARC and non-MARC metadata standards, e.g., Dublin Core, VRA Core, BIBFRAME, etc.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively and collegially with supervisors and colleagues.
- Capability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Proficient in reading and writing documentation.
- Ability to work efficiently and with attention to detail.
- Hybrid work schedule.
- Ability to use computers extensively during the course of the working day.
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
- Reference List (3) (preferred)
Job Family
Library
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Range
$54,000.00 - $60,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
Salary : $54,000 - $60,000
