Resource Description Coordinator

Responsibilities:  The Resource Description Coordinator will perform original and complex adaptive cataloging of materials in multiple formats; manage resource description projects; assign subject headings and classification numbers according to Library of Congress practice; create name authority records and contribute to the national name authority file; develop and document policies and procedures on the department’s intranet site; participate in planning, goal-setting, and assessing the effectiveness of staff and operations within the unit; provide training and direction to staff in performing cataloging routines; keep current with new trends, standards and practices in resource description and classification. The position will report to the Head of Metadata and Bibliographic Services and will supervise 4 classified staff employees and any part-time cataloging librarian.   

The Resource Description Coordinator is a librarian position.  The Libraries support the ongoing professional development of librarians and our goal is to recruit librarians committed to continuous learning.  Librarians hold academic ranks pursuant to the University of Houston Librarians’ Governance document.  They are expected to develop a record of service and professional contributions.

The UH Libraries’ Strategic Directions 2010-2013 focuses on supporting research and scholarly productivity, building dynamic partnerships, fostering academic success through innovative services, and enhancing user experience through technology.  The complete document is available at: http://info.lib.uh.edu/sites/default/files/docs/strategic_directions.pdf .  The Strategic Directions draw on and support an ambitious set of goals adopted by the University ( http://www.uh.edu/about/mission/goals/index.php ).  We seek to recruit librarians who can relate their work to these strategies and understand their role in advancing these strategic imperatives.

Qualifications:  Required: Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library program. Knowledge and significant experience in resource description of multiple formats using national cataloging standards (AACR2, LCSH, LCC, and MARC); experience in creating name authority records; experience with the cataloging module of an integrated library system;  knowledge of forthcoming changes with RDA, FRBR, linked data and semantic web; ability to work effectively, independently, and collaboratively in a collegial environment; excellent communication skills; demonstrated leadership or project management experience in a work setting.   Preferred:  Supervisory experience; experience with special collections cataloging (including rare books description); knowledge of archival and rare materials description standards such as DACS and DCRM; experience with III Millennium, Serials Solutions, MarcEdit and other cataloging related systems; bibliographic knowledge of one or more languages other than English.

Salary:  $58,000 to $62,000 expected hiring range, depending on qualifications and experience. Comprehensive benefits package; choice of retirement programs including TIAA-CREF; tax deferred annuity program available; release time to take a class up to 3 hours/week; no state or local income tax.  

Library Information:  The UH Libraries are a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance, and the Texas Digital Library.  The Libraries hold over 2.1 million volumes.  Total staff includes 48 professionals and approximately 110 support staff.  Additional information available at: http://info.lib.uh.edu

General Information:  The University of Houston campus comprises 13 colleges and schools offering close to 80 degree programs with an enrollment exceeding 40,000 students, 7,200 of whom are enrolled in graduate studies.  Reflecting the multicultural community of metropolitan Houston, UH is one of the most ethnically diverse research university campuses in the nation.  Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, offers all the cultural and recreational opportunities of a great city and is within easy reach of the Gulf of Mexico.  It enjoys a very reasonable cost of living and was rated eighth among livable North American cities by Places Rated Almanac.

For additional information, including information about Houston's housing market, flourishing arts scene, and entertainment offerings, please see the greater Houston Partnership web site at: http://www.houston.org/ and the My Houston site: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/myhouston/

Application Deadline:  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Send letter of application, names and contact information for 3 references, and resume to Damon Camille, Training, Assessment, and Statistics Coordinator, University of Houston, 114 University Libraries, Houston, Texas 77204-2000.  Applications may also be submitted by email to: dcamille@uh.edu.  Potential applicants seeking further information should contact John Lehner, Associate Dean for Personnel, Planning, and Systems, at 713-743-9801 or jlehner@uh.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.  MINORITIES, WOMEN, VETERANS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.