Metadata Manager LEO-GLAM (Senior Associate Librarian LEO-GLAM)

Description

Job Summary

The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) in the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan maintains one of the world's largest and most comprehensive archives of social scientific data, with 20,000 studies relating to education, aging, criminal justice, substance abuse, terrorism, and more. A global leader in data science, ICPSR also supports continuing education in research design, statistics, and data analysis. ICPSR employs 15 research faculty, 140 professional staff, and has an annual operating revenue of more than $25 million. 

The Senior Associate Librarian joins ICPSR's Metadata and Preservation unit to manage and oversee the ICPSR metadata catalog. You will play a key role in shaping the digital library catalog's metadata records, ensuring high standards of metadata quality, discoverability, interoperability, and re-use. Working with teams across ICPSR, you will develop cataloging and metadata policies, review and update metadata with an eye to quality, optimize metadata workflows, and support discoverability, interoperability, and access to ICPSR's extensive data collections.  You will work collaboratively with the Senior Associate Librarian managing standards enhancement; you will report directly to the Unit Director. 

What You'll Do

• Oversee the management and continuous improvement of the ICPSR digital library metadata catalog, including organizing and optimizing catalog records for FAIRness (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reuse). (80%)
• Conduct quality assurance checks to ensure metadata records meet ICPSR?s high standards for consistency, accuracy, and metadata completeness, promoting robust data discovery. 
• Clean metadata records, especially in bulk. 
• Develop, maintain, and oversee controlled vocabularies and thesauri relevant to social and behavioral science datasets, ensuring consistent and accurate application in metadata creation. Collaborate with subject matter experts and stakeholders to expand and refine controlled vocabularies, ensuring they reflect current research trends and terminologies in the social sciences.
• Develop, manage, and maintain metadata standards, including applying relevant metadata schemas (e.g., DDI, Dublin Core) to catalog and classify data collections, enhancing usability and interoperability across research platforms. 
• Oversee the creation, maintenance, and control of series metadata for datasets, ensuring that all series are accurately documented and linked within the ICPSR repository.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of PIDs (e.g., DOIs, ORCIDs) within metadata records to enhance discoverability and citation of datasets in the ICPSR repository. 
• Collaborate with technical staff to design and implement catalog-related tools and bulk edits, improving the functionality and discoverability of digital collections. (5%)
• Conduct regular assessments of catalog use, soliciting feedback from users to inform catalog improvements and enhance user experience. (5%)
• Provide training and guidance on metadata standards and best practices, supporting ICPSR staff, researchers, and depositors in the metadata creation process. (5%)
• Stay current on metadata and data repository trends, contributing to the evolution of ICPSR?s metadata standards and policies to support FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. (5%)

Qualifications

Senior Associate Librarian

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum 6 years of experience in a library, archives, digital repository or related environment with significant catalog management or metadata responsibilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in descriptive metadata cataloging and a record of professional growth in the field.
• Substantial experience with integrated library systems and catalog management tools.
• Advanced understanding of metadata standards such as Dublin Core, MARC, DCAT, and Schema.org, with demonstrated experience in a professional context.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with proven experience in assessing and enhancing catalog systems and workflows.
• Excellent project management skills, with a record of successfully leading complex projects and collaborating with diverse stakeholders in a team environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills in the English language.

Associate Librarian

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a library, archives, digital repository, or related environment with catalog management or metadata responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in descriptive metadata cataloging.
• Familiarity with integrated library systems and catalog management tools.
• Basic understanding of metadata standards such as Dublin Core, MARC, DCAT, and Schema.org.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills, with some experience in improving catalog systems or workflows.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team-based environment.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills in the English language.

Desired Qualifications*

Senior Associate Librarian

• Significant experience working in an academic library or research data repository setting.
• Proficiency with metadata standards for social and behavioral science data, including DDI.
• Advanced experience with batch metadata edits using bulk editing tools.
• Demonstrated proficiency in a programming or scripting language to support catalog automation and enhancement.
• Evidence of leadership in professional organizations or contributions to the field, such as publications, presentations, or active committee involvement.

Associate Librarian

• Experience working in an academic library or research data repository setting.
• Familiarity with metadata standards for social and behavioral science data, including DDI.
• Some experience with batch metadata edits using bulk editing tools.
• Interest in learning programming or scripting languages to support catalog automation and enhancement.
• Evidence of engagement in professional development activities or interest in contributing to the field.

Application Instructions

Modes of Work

This is a permanent, full-time 12 month appointment and is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Appointment is anticipated at Senior Associate Librarian or Associate Librarian rank. The salary is dependent on qualifications and experience. The target rank for this position is Senior Associate Librarian, which has a salary of $78,000 - $80,000, and Associate Librarian, which is $68,000 - $72,000.The anticipated date of hire is March 3, 2025.

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

This appointment is subject to the UM/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement.

It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. Pursuant to the 2022-2025 UM|LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact (Administrative designee) who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodations requests made by Employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for the Institute for Social Research is Leigh Anne Cutcher. They may be reached at cutcherl@umich.edu.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

This position will be posted for a minimum of three (3) weeks. The review and selection process may begin as early as the day after the posting closes. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.