Digital Assets Librarian

Digital Assets Librarian – York University Libraries

York University Libraries are seeking an innovative and self-motivated individual for the position of Digital Assets Librarian in Bibliographic Services.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto – Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 62,000 students, faculty and staff, as well as 240,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 Faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries.

The Digital Assets Librarian will join a dynamic and growing team at York University Libraries, actively participating in research on campus, OCUL-Scholars Portal programs, and national and international digital initiatives. Working collaboratively in a dynamic service-oriented environment, the Digital Assets Librarian will play an integral role in the development of data curation, asset management and preservation strategies for York University Libraries.  He/she will enable data discovery and retrieval, preserve and maintain data quality, provide for data re-use over time, and develop other value-added services.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing large-scale projects involving stakeholders spanning multiple areas. The incumbent will ensure that best practices in emerging metadata standards are established and followed. This position will perform a key role in the creation of new data repository tools by gathering requirements and coordinating software development projects. He/she will play an advocacy and promotion role for open access to research data, best practices in data curation, and preservation practices on campus. The Digital Assets Librarian will work closely with colleagues, faculty, and staff to provide a wide range of curatorial services, including consulting on best practices for data documentation, developing appropriate data management plans, and coordinating the receipt of new data acquisitions. The Digital Assets Librarian responsibilities will include a liaison assignment with an academic department.

Additionally, the incumbent will possess: an enthusiastic and flexible attitude; the capacity to adapt to a changing environment; the ability to balance multiple responsibilities; demonstrated time management skills; and knowledge of emerging trends in scholarly communications and library and information technologies.

Qualifications:

•                    MLS degree (or recognized equivalent) from an ALA-accredited program;

•                    up to nine years of post-MLIS library experience;

•                    demonstrated large-scale project management expertise;

•                    demonstrated experience with XML, applying metadata standards and schema, and controlled vocabularies; 

•                    demonstrated expertise with one or more metadata manipulation and scripting languages (e.g. XSLT, Perl, Python);

•                    demonstrated applied web application development experience, including familiarity with development frameworks (e.g. Ruby on Rails, Django), and application programming language(s) such as Java, PHP, or others;

•                    familiarity with semantic and linked data standards such as RDF and OWL;

•                    familiarity with standards and best practices in data curation and preservation;

•                    strong understanding of emerging trends and issues for research libraries in the areas of digital curation, digital preservation, scholarly communications and metadata;

•                    excellent independent learning and problem-solving abilities;

•                    excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work independently and in collaboration with others;

•                    evidence of a developing research portfolio

This is a continuing-stream (tenure track) appointment to be filled at the Assistant Librarian level and appropriate for a librarian with up to nine years of post-MLIS experience. Librarians and archivists at York University have academic status and are members of the York University Faculty Association bargaining unit (http://www.yufa.org/). Salary is commensurate with qualifications. The position is available from June 1, 2012.  All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.

York University is an Affirmative Action Employer. The Affirmative Action Program can be found on York's website at www.yorku.ca/acadjobs or a copy can be obtained by calling the affirmative action office at 416-736-5713. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

York University’s resources include centres relating to gender equity, race and ethnic relations, sexual harassment, human rights, and wellness. York University encourages attitudes of respect and non-discrimination toward persons of all ethnic and religious groups, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. 

Deadline for the submission of applications is March 15, 2012. Applicants are directed to submit a covering letter outlining their relevant qualifications and experience, a current curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of three referees. Applicants are also asked to have their referees submit written letters of recommendation directly under separate cover by mail, fax (or email with a mail copy following) before the application deadline.  Applications should be sent to:

Chair, Digital Assets Librarian Appointment Committee

York University Libraries

310 Scott Library

4700 Keele Street

Toronto, Ontario  M3J 1P3

Fax: 416-736-5451

Email: yulapps@yorku.ca

Applications should be sent by mail, or by email or fax with a hardcopy following.