Metadata Specialist II (2 openings)

Code4lib; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A major public research library in New York seeks a Metadata Specialist II to manage metadata initiatives for digital collections. The role requires a Master's degree in library-related disciplines and experience with metadata in various contexts. Key responsibilities include serving as a liaison for multiple divisions, enhancing metadata for digital assets, and participating in large-scale remediation projects. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage concurrent projects are essential. This position offers an opportunity to work with unique historical collections.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library and information science, archival studies, data science, or public history required.
• Experience with metadata creation in libraries, archives, or museums preferred.
• Experience working with historical collections is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison for Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library divisions.
• Contribute to metadata creation and enhancement for digital collections.
• Provide training and guidance on metadata standards.

Skills

Metadata schemas and standards

Interpersonal communication

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

XML

JSON

Job description

Overview

The New York Public Library (NYPL) is one of the world's great public research libraries. Its research centers provide opportunities for engagement with in‑depth and unique collections, inspirational reading rooms, exhibitions, programs, and a range of research services. Collections and Research Services encompasses several departments focused on managing the ongoing development of our exceptional research collections, advancing unified discovery and expanded access, both in‑person and online, and ensuring stewardship of the collections at every stage of the collections lifecycle. Within the Digital Collections Operations department, the Metadata Services Unit (MSU) supports access and discovery of the Library's digital assets through the creation and management of descriptive metadata, strengthening data interoperability across the Library, and guiding its metadata strategy.

Reporting to the Manager, Metadata Services, the Metadata Specialist II contributes to metadata initiatives focused on describing digitized and born‑digital research collections made available through NYPL Digital Collections. Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail are crucial for ensuring quality metadata creation, approvals, and remediation within our collaborative team, which manages over 2.5 million records. This is an ideal opportunity for a proactive individual who can quickly synthesize complex information and is dedicated to making unique, historically significant collections accessible to the public.

Note: We are filling two openings. Each position will liaise with a combination of 4–6 divisions of the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library located at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building that will be determined by subject expertise and interest. Collections supported may include manuscripts, archives, rare books, maps, prints, photography, image clippings, and/or reference works about art and architecture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Metadata Services Unit's primary liaison for 4–6 divisions of the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library located at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
• Actively contribute to the creation, approval, and enhancement of descriptive metadata for corresponding digital collections
• Provide consultation for division staff and metadata partners through planning, training, and guidance on metadata standards and local practices
• Participate in large‑scale remediation, reparative description, targeted enhancement, and migration projects to improve discovery and access of digital assets, including an upcoming system migration to a new Digital Asset Management System (DAMS)
• Work closely with Library colleagues involved in digitization, digital asset management, and description including rights clearance, permissions, digital imaging, cataloging, archival processing, exhibitions, et al.
• Keep current with emerging standards, trends, and technologies in the field
• Perform other related duties as necessary

Required Education & Certifications

Master's degree in a relevant discipline such as library and information science, archival studies, information management, data science, and/or public history

Required Experience

• Experience with metadata creation, remediation, reconciliation, and/or enhancement in the context of libraries, archives, museums, or other collecting institutions (can include coursework or internships)
• Experience working with manuscripts, archives, rare books, maps, prints, photographs, image clippings, and/or art and architecture reference collections (can include coursework or internships)

Required Skills

• Demonstrated competency with metadata schemas and standards (MODS, Dublin Core, METS, VRA Core, MARC/RDA, EAD/DACS, etc.), controlled vocabularies (Library of Congress, Getty Vocabularies, Wikidata, etc.), and data formats (XML, JSON, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently on complex projects that involve diverse stakeholders
• Capacity to manage a large volume of work across simultaneous projects while maintaining a consistently high degree of accuracy
• Comfort with problem solving and rapidly synthesizing new information and workflows
• Willingness to experiment and incorporate new tools and practices (e.g., linked data, entity management, IIIF, etc.) to enhance services and complete tasks more efficiently