Metadata Analyst

Carleton University; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Canadian university in Ottawa seeks a Metadata Analyst to provide resource description and metadata analysis for its Library collections. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of cataloguing standards and project management skills, along with proficiency in tools like MarcEdit and Python. This position offers a competitive salary and a full-time engagement on campus.

Qualifications

• Sound technical proficiency in cataloguing standards and library terminology.
• Ability to understand and interpret MARC21 and RDA/AACR2 standards.
• High attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide resource description and metadata analysis for the Library’s collections.
• Create and remediate bibliographic and authority records.
• Support metadata creation for the Institutional Repository.

Skills

Technical proficiency in bibliographic description

Analytic ability to synthesize reports

Project management skills

Education

Undergraduate degree

Library Technician diploma

Tools

MarcEdit

OpenRefine

Python

Job description

Job Number: J1125-0119
Job Title: Metadata Analyst
Job Type: Continuing Full Time
Department: Cataloguing, Metadata and Digitization (CMD)
Job Category: Library
Number of Positions: 1
Date Posted: 20/11/2025
Closing Date: 30/11/2025
Salary: 81,981.00 - 89,671.00/Year
Employee Group: CUPE 2424
Salary Level: 9PE
Hours Per Week: 35
Date Position Available: 17/11/2025

About Carleton University

Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G‑7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world. Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work. The university’s Strategic Integrated Plan 2020‑2025 is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton’s strengths and student‑centric, community‑engaged values.

Duties And Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Cataloguing, Metadata, & Digitization (CMD), the Metadata Analyst provides resource description and metadata analysis for the Library’s collections. The Metadata Analyst creates and remediates bibliographic, holdings, and authority records in the Library Services Platform (LSP) using batch processes and metadata refinement tools. The incumbent supports metadata creation and remediation for the Institutional Repository and other digital platforms, ensures accessibility and EDI standards are met for all metadata formats, and provides support for linked data initiatives the department. The incumbent assists with metadata and analytics requirements for the OCUL Collaborative Futures consortium and provides support for electronic resources as required.

Qualifications

• Sound technical proficiency and competencies in the principles and concepts of bibliographic description, including cataloguing standards and record encoding, as well as familiarity with library terminology and tools.
• Ability to understand LC and CODOC classification schedules and understand and interpret MARC21 and RDA/AACR2 standards.
• Familiar with and continually develop practical skills in the application of linked data concepts and batch metadata processes.
• High analytic ability to synthesize reports and make conclusions derived from statistical data. Research and analysis skills normally acquired in the course of an undergraduate degree are essential in order to deal with materials in all subject areas.
• Research and analysis skills normally acquired in the course of an undergraduate degree are essential in order to deal with materials in all subject areas.
• Ability to analyse catalogue source records constructed according to a variety of standards.
• Ability to carry out independent research in order to analyse and resolve problems effectively is essential.
• Ability to work with high attention to detail and must be able to identify and resolve problems efficiently and logically.
• A high service standard and effective written and oral communication is essential for working with library personnel and service providers.
• Strong project management skills to coordinate and delegate project work within the unit and when working on cross‑departmental projects in the library.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills are required in planning, delegating and organizing work, training, supervising and coordinating staff.

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree and a two‑year Library Technician diploma is required.
• Three years of relevant Library experience, working knowledge of cataloguing and metadata standards and system protocols including: MARC21, RDA/AACR2, Library of Congress Classification, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and CODOC.
• Experience working with metadata refinement tools and programming languages, such as MarcEdit, OpenRefine, and Python, and knowledge of other metadata standards and formats such as faceted subject headings (FAST), RDF/BIBFRAME, and Dublin Core is preferred.

HR Note

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

Health and Safety Requirements

This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.

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