Yale Library seeks a dynamic and
collaborative Metadata Operations Specialist to join the Metadata
Services Unit (MSU) within the Resource Discovery Services (RDS)
department. Reporting to the MSU Manager, the Metadata Operations
Specialist will work closely with colleagues across departments,
metadata policy committees, and national and international professional
networks to design, implement, and maintain innovative metadata
workflows and technologies that align with Yale’s strategic priorities.
This role offers an exciting
opportunity to shape the future of metadata operations at Yale Library,
balancing a commitment to innovation with a strong service orientation.
One of the library’s strategic directions is to ensure broad access to
the scholarly and cultural record, and this role is critical to
advancing that goal, which depends on metadata standardization, data
quality, and interoperability across multiple systems.
The Metadata Operations Specialist
will help lead efforts to enhance metadata quality and support metadata
governance, including developing strategies to transition from legacy
data formats to linked open data standards such as BIBFRAME. This
position requires a strong understanding of metadata standards and
familiarity with systems and procedures for authority control, entity
management, and knowledge organization, including the Library of
Congress Authorities and Vocabularies, VIAF, and Wikidata. The incumbent
will play a key role in implementing and managing integrated authority
control within the Alma Library Services Platform, ensuring that
entities and identities in Yale discovery systems are represented
accurately and ethically, while advocating for metadata best practices
across the organization.
In this role, the Metadata Operations
Specialist will leverage technical expertise to develop and execute
automated solutions for metadata transformation and reconciliation.
Usage of scripting languages such as Python and query languages such as
SQL, SPARQL, or XQuery, as well as metadata tools and APIs, will be
important for optimizing workflows and driving efficiency in metadata
operations. The incumbent will also explore and recommend innovative
technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning
methods, to advance metadata processes and support the library’s
evolving metadata ecosystem.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of this
position. The Metadata Operations Specialist will engage with metadata
creators and stakeholders, Library IT, and external partners to ensure
the adoption of effective metadata standards and practices. The
incumbent will represent Yale Library in regional and national
professional organizations, integrating emerging trends and best
practices into local workflows. Additionally, the specialist will design
and deliver training programs and create documentation to enhance
metadata expertise and build capacity across the library and in the
broader profession.
The Metadata Services Unit follows a
hybrid work schedule based on operational needs, in which staff may work
remotely two days a week and on site for three. Yale Library reviews
work schedules annually.
This position will be assigned a rank
of Librarian 1 to Librarian 3. Yale University assigns ranks to
librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience
and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found HERE.
Required Education and Experience:
1. Master’s degree from an ALA‐accredited library school. In selected
instances, a post‐graduate degree in a related discipline may be
required or substituted for a master’s degree in library science. 2.
Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to
conclusion in a timely fashion. 3. Demonstrated excellent oral,
written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability;
accuracy and attention to detail. 4. Experience working collegially and
cooperatively within and across organizations. 5. Experience working
collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex
organization and rapidly changing, team environment.
Please see the full job posting and apply HERE.