Metadata Librarian

About the role

The Metadata Librarian is a Faculty Librarian in the University Library System (ULS) Resource Acquisitions and Discovery Department. The position reports to the Head of the Metadata and Discovery Unit, which specializes in descriptive, technical, administrative, and preservation metadata, with a focus on access, discovery, and stewardship of digital content created, hosted, or published by the ULS. The unit develops and implements metadata strategies, policies, and procedures for such metadata within the Library System and provides expert consultations to others at the University of Pittsburgh.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating standardization across metadata, including evaluating the quality of legacy metadata and enhancing/improving existing metadata based on current best practices.
• Bulk processing metadata for normalization, remediation, transformation, and enhancement.
• Developing scripts to extract, transform, and manipulate metadata.
• Applying appropriate schemas to create and manage descriptive, administrative, and preservation metadata for digital projects.
• Communicating metadata standards and providing documentation, guidance, and training to internal and external partners.
• Maintaining a current knowledge of relevant metadata standards and schemas and interpreting and applying those metadata standards for local purposes.
• Reviewing metadata workflows for inefficiencies and inconsistencies. Developing and documenting new workflows for efficiency/consistency.
• Representing ULS expertise in metadata to internal and external partners and seeking opportunities to collaborate with University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff, researchers, and students.
• Overseeing and supervising part-time student assistants, temporary employees, etc. on special projects or initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program or another advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Familiarity with content management software (e.g. Drupal), digital library and/or repository platforms (e.g. Islandora, Hyku), and digital preservation platforms (e.g. Preservica).
• Knowledge and understanding of metadata and cataloging principles and best practices related to resource description, discovery, and digital preservation.
• Foundational understanding of the principles of controlled vocabularies, authority control, and NACO.
• Aptitude for complex, analytical work with attention to detail, demonstrated problem-solving skills, and flexibility.
• Strong commitment to user-centered library service and the ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Skills

The Metadata Librarian will be responsible for various aspects of metadata creation and management and will ideally have two or more of the following preferred skills:

• Developing metadata policies and workflows for digital collections, digital preservations, or institutional repositories.
• Creating and managing metadata in a library or similar setting.
• Applying metadata standards and schemas such as Dublin Core, MODS, METS, EAD, PREMIS, linked data, BIBFRAME, MARC, RDF, LCSH, LCNAF, AAT, and other emerging standards.
• Practical experience with batch metadata processing for normalization, remediation, transformation, and enhancement through scripting and programming (e.g., Python, PHP, R, XSLT, etc.) and data manipulation tools (e.g., MarcEdit, OpenRefine, etc.).
• Self-motivation, project management skills, and the ability to multi-task with various deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively across library departments and with university and community partners.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Professional development expectations

Librarians at the University of Pittsburgh are members of the faculty and are expected to demonstrate continuous professional development in addition to performing their specific responsibilities. Approximately 10% of the librarian's time should be directed toward such activities and will be included as part of the annual evaluation.

The incumbent in this position is expected to:

• Keep abreast of and contribute as appropriate to current developments in the profession, especially as they relate to metadata and cataloging.
• Contribute to the profession through publications, presentations, teaching, and other professional activities to promote the expertise of the Metadata and Discovery Unit and Resource Acquisitions and Discovery Department.
• Seek out appropriate roles in professional associations, research and/or publication on the regional, national, and international level.
• Participate actively in ULS and campus-wide working groups and committees, as appropriate.

About the University and City

Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Today, Pitt is an internationally recognized center of learning and research, strong in the arts and sciences. Pitt serves approximately 35,000 students, including more than 9,800 graduate students, in the seventeen schools at the Pittsburgh campus and the four regional campuses. The University produces the most employable graduates of any public school in Pennsylvania, even "outpacing Ivy Leaguers," according to Forbes. Ranking No. 26 in U.S. patents among global universities, Pitt is a powerhouse in research and innovation. The Class of 2024 achieved a 96.3% successful career outcomes rate, with respondents reporting that they are working, continuing education, serving in the military or volunteering. Six University of Pittsburgh health sciences graduate programs ranked in the top 10 nationally, among other strong showings by University programs in the U.S. News and World Report's 2025 Best Graduate School rankings.

The city of Pittsburgh is in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the United States, Pittsburgh is recognized for its natural beauty and unique blend of cultural, education, and technological resources.

Pay

The rank is open, and the salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, with a minimum starting salary of $60,000. This position is represented by the University of Pittsburgh Faculty Union and is subject to the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Pittsburgh and the union.

Benefits

• Health and wellness plans
• Retirement savings plans
• One-month (20 working days) vacation per year
• Tuition assistance

Schedule

The successful candidate will meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of Librarian I, II, or III and will be hired on an initial 3-year renewable contract. This is a full-time regular position.