Metadata Specialist

Association of Academic Museums & Galleries.; Miami Beach (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wolfsonian in Miami Beach seeks a Records and Metadata Specialist to manage and improve digital records for objects and library collections. You will implement policies aligned with professional museum standards and collaborate across registrars, librarians, curators, and digital teams.

You will lead data audits, metadata standardization, and SQL reporting, ensuring data integrity and supporting online catalogs and digital initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field with 3 years of experience, or a bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience.
• Experience conducting mass edits and standardizing metadata in museum/library databases.
• Working knowledge of ALMA, OCLC, and Proficio database systems is preferred.
• Advanced data manipulation using MySQL, OpenRefine, and RegEx.
• Experience writing and developing SQL reports and queries.
• Knowledge of metadata formats and standards such as MARC and RDA.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to investigate data inconsistencies and propose solutions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain digital records for objects and books in the collection and lead data integrity projects.
• Collaborate with registrars, librarians, curators, and digital asset managers on record systems and procedures.
• Promote the museum’s collections through digital channels, including databases and online catalogs.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate interns as needed.
• Research and implement metadata schemas and controlled vocabularies to improve database records.

Skills

Mass edits

Metadata standardization

ALMA knowledge

OCLC knowledge

Proficio knowledge

MySQL

OpenRefine

RegEx

SQL reporting

MARC/RDA knowledge

Data auditing

Data analysis

Data integrity

Problem solving

Education

Master’s degree in a related field

Bachelor’s degree in related discipline with 5+ years experience

Tools

ALMA

OCLC

Proficio

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for activities related to the organization and maintenance of digital records for the museum’s object and library collections. Helps implement management policies for digital records according to best practices of the American Association of Art Museum Directors, the American Alliance of Museums, and the American Library Association. Works with the registration, library, and digital departments in the development and maintenance of record systems, including database cleanup projects and upload procedures for the online catalog.

Maintains the accuracy of digital records for objects and books in the collection and leads projects to preserve data integrity, including data audits, data cleanup, and the completion and updating of records.

Participates in efforts to promote the museum’s collections through digital channels, including databases and online catalogs.

May supervise undergraduate and graduate interns.

Maintains record systems and researches museum and library metadata schemas, standards, and controlled vocabularies to recommend and implement improvements to database records in collaboration with registrars, curators, librarians, and digital asset managers.

Interprets museum digital operations rules and policies and recommends new or improved programs for the effective management of museum records.

Performs day-to-day operations and tasks related to records management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree and three years of experience in a related field, or a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and five years of experience in a related field.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES, AND ABILITIES

• Experience conducting mass edits and standardizing metadata in museum and library databases
• Working knowledge of ALMA, OCLC, and Proficio database systems is preferred
• Advanced data manipulation and organization skills using software and tools such as MySQL, MarcEdit, OpenRefine, and RegEx
• Experience writing and developing SQL reports and queries
• Demonstrated knowledge of metadata formats and standards, such as MARC and RDA
• Experience writing and developing reports and queries for collection data analysis and auditing
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently investigate data inconsistencies and propose actionable solutions
  Compensation: $50,000–$60,000 annually

ABOUT THE WOLFSONIAN

The Wolfsonian considers objects as both agents and expressions of cultural, political, and technological changes. The collection is unique, vast, and varied, primarily focused on works produced in the United States and Western Europe but also extending to Japan, Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union, Cuba, and beyond. In its scope and range, it is among the most important collections in the world of the visual and material culture of the modern era, addressing issues of mass communication, war, ideology, ethnic and national identity, urbanism, globalization, and many other phenomena that remain critical to understanding life today. It encompasses a very wide range of objects, including works on paper, paintings, sculpture, furniture, glassware, ceramics, lighting, household appliances, textiles, and medals, as well as rare books, journals, and ephemera. The museum is located in the heart of Miami Beach’s historic Art Deco architectural district and is part of Florida International University, a rapidly growing urban public research university.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida