Metadata Librarian for Latin American Resources (Assistant Librarian)

Purpose The Metadata Librarian for Latin American Resources provides expertise to support all processes and workflows for resource description of the Benson Latin American Collection’s post-custodial and digital collections. Early career librarians are encouraged to apply.   Responsibilities

• Coordination of Benson Metadata Activities: Coordinates the creation and management of descriptive metadata for Benson post-custodial and digital collections, including recommending appropriate metadata standards, developing metadata instruments and workflows, conducting training, maintaining controlled vocabularies and taxonomies, managing quality control processes, and undertaking metadata normalization and transformation as needed. Participates in migration of legacy content to new platforms.

 

• Digital Initiatives Program Support: Supports the development of digital infrastructure and strategy at the Benson and UT Libraries, especially with regard to the design, implementation, and documentation of metadata policies and best practices. Works with the Digital Initiatives team and UT Libraries to harmonize workflows and standards. Serves on LLILAS Benson and UTL working groups and committees related to digital initiatives.

 

• Metadata Consultation and Training: Provides metadata consultation, training, and project analysis services for the Benson’s post-custodial partners, students, faculty, and other colleagues. Assists Benson Collection archivists and the LLILAS Benson Digital Scholarship Coordinator with metadata-related activities as needed.

 

• Professional Development and Engagement: Maintains awareness of emerging technologies, standards, and best practices in resource description for physical and digital content. Engages with the broader professional community through participation on professional organization committees, conference presentations, and/or other comparable activities.

 

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library science or equivalent.
• Professional working proficiency in Spanish. Some knowledge of Latin American history and culture.
• Experience working with metadata standards and schemas.
• Demonstrated experience creating and applying descriptive metadata for digital content.
• Experience with metadata transformation and remediation tools and techniques.
• Experience working with digital repositories.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with emphasis on empathy, diplomacy, and working collaboratively.
• Outstanding attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving abilities, initiative, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity.
• Capacity to adjust and thrive in an evolving, future-oriented environment and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities.
• Commitment to a diverse academic community, and an understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace.

  Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional working proficiency in Portuguese and/or an Indigenous language of Latin America.
• Familiarity with archival collections and best practices related to their description.
• Knowledge of linked data best practices and standards (RDF, SPARQL).
• Application of linked data and semantic web technologies.
• Understanding of issues involved in developing, licensing, maintaining, and/or delivering digital collections of various types.
• Experience creating and managing projects.
• Experience conducting training.
• Experience managing the workflows of peers, colleagues, and contributors outside of supervisory channels.
• Willingness to travel.

  Research indicates that applicants with marginalized identities are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet all of the qualifications. We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these preferred skills.

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