Head of Cataloging and Metadata (Hybrid)

The Claremont Colleges Services seeks a diversely experienced and talented library professional for the position of Head of Cataloging and Metadata at The Claremont Colleges Library (TCCL).

The Head of Cataloging & Metadata (HC&M) provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for description and discoverability of the Library information resources. The HC&M supervises and leads the Cataloging and Metadata (C&M) unit in creating metadata for information resources in all formats, including physical and electronic materials in the general collection, special collections, The Claremont Colleges Digital Library (CCDL), and The Institutional Repository. The HC&M collaborates widely within the Collections, Metadata, and Resource Sharing (CMRS) division and across the Library in providing training and ensuring metadata support for current and future modes of scholarly communication. The HC&M provides a vision for the future of metadata and resource discovery and access, and works to achieve that vision in a technological environment that includes TCCL’s integrated library system – OCLC WMS, and a variety of digital platforms.

The HC&M establishes, implements, and evaluates standards, policies, procedures, and best practices for cataloging and metadata. The HC&M plans and allocates resources for the TCCL’s cataloging and metadata projects. Specific duties include:

A.    Following international, national, and local standards and best practices, lead the C&M Unit in creating original and complex copy cataloging records for TCCL resources.

B.    Train TCCS staff, student assistants, as well as staff and students in associated Claremont Colleges special and departmental libraries to perform cataloging and metadata creation. Answer questions about cataloging as needed.

C.    Supervise the cataloging and activating of electronic resources in all material types and acquisition modes and ensure discoverability and timely responses to immediate user needs for access.

D.    Supervise the management of the Library’s Knowledge Base, Database website directory, and other access points to electronic resources.

E.    Analyze cataloging and metadata backlogs, as well as needs for cataloging and metadata work stemming from various current projects and create project plans with specified goals, timelines, milestones, and needed resources for successful completion.

F.    Work closely with the Senior Director of CMRS in establishing, implementing, and evaluating policies, procedures, and best practices for e-resource management and cataloging and metadata.

G.    Collaborate closely with Special Collections (SC) to establish cataloging priorities for unique and rare materials, including determining appropriate levels of description.

H.    Collaborate closely with the Digital Initiatives Coordinator and the Head of Scholarly Communications and Open Publishing Services to manage workflows for metadata creation and quality control for collections of content in the Claremont Colleges Digital Library and the Institutional Repository.

I.      Prioritize materials for in-house metadata work or outsourcing. Organize, manage, and evaluate outsourced cataloging.

J.     Collaborate closely with the Systems Coordinator on ongoing catalog clean-up and maintenance. 

K.    Review Encoded Archival Description finding aids prepared by SC staff and students for the purpose of assigning name, subject, form/genre, and title headings; coordinate creation of collection-level catalog records in TCCL’s discovery system.

L.     Perform original and complex copy cataloging and create metadata for materials in multiple languages and formats.

M.   Serve as TCCL’s Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) coordinator; review NACO submissions; create authority records.

N.    Actively represent TCCL in professional associations devoted to cataloging and metadata and at the international, national, regional, and local levels; maintain currency with new, emerging, and established standards in the field; share knowledge and expertise with colleagues.

O.    Serve on various committees and task forces as assigned.

P.    Supervisory Responsibility: An Electronic Resources and Metadata Librarian and three Cataloging and Metadata Associates, as well as any temporary staff and student assistants assigned to cataloging projects. Ensure the quality of their work.

Work Schedule: The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Frida.  May be required to work holiday, weekend, and/or evening hours. Regular hours, as well as combination of onsite and remote work, may vary due to needs of the organization or business unit.

Vaccination: TCCS requires the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.  New employees are required to present evidence of complete COVID-19 vaccination within 30 calendar days of hire, unless a medical or religious accommodation or exemption is requested and granted.

 COMPENSATION

Pay: The monthly salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the position, from $6,666 to $7,666 per month.

Benefits: We are delighted to offer a comprehensive employment benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 10% retirement contributions (no matching required), tuition benefits for employees and their dependents, $50,000 group life insurance, generous time off, LinkedIn Learning, discounts for mobile plans, software, and entertainment, and access to fitness facilities and classes. For more information about our full range of generous benefits please visit https://services.claremont.edu/benefits-administration/. Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions in the plan or policy documents.

 ABOUT YOU

Education: You have an MLIS from an ALA-accredited program, or the equivalent through a combination of education and additional experience beyond the minimum in a closely related field.

Experience:  You have:

  1. Minimum three (3) years of professional experience working in an academic library, with demonstrated evidence of success and increased responsibility.
  2. At least two (2) years of professional experience in cataloging and metadata creation in an academic or research library.
  3. At least two (2) years of experience supervising staff, including training and performance management
  4. Experience training staff and students
  5. Experience with current cataloging standards, such as RDA, LCSH, and MARC formats for bibliographic and authority data.
  6. Experience working with the Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO).
  7. Experience cataloging in OCLC Connexion and/or WMS Record Manager.
  8. Experience or working knowledge of at least one non-MARC metadata language such as Dublin Core or MODS.
  9. Familiarity with initiatives such as linked data, BIBFRAME, and the Library Research Model (LRM)

You possess the following knowledge, skills, or abilities:

  1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  2. Ability to interact sensitively and diplomatically with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  3. Good understanding of academic library operations and functions to be able to seek out needed information and facilitate collaboration across the organization.
  4. Demonstrated project management skills, i.e. the ability to create project plans with goals, timelines, and needed resources, track progress through milestones, and lead projects to a successful completion. 
  5. Capacity for working independently and setting priorities.
  6. Close attention to detail and the ability to check own work and that of others for accuracy.
  7. Flexibility to remain productive in a fast-evolving environment with competing demands and evolving priorities; skill in time management.
  8. Ability to follow directions from supervisors and grow and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, managers, and student employees.
  9. Strong interpersonal skills, especially the ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically as a team player.

If you have the following in addition, we would especially like to hear from you:

  • Experience with rare materials and special collections cataloging and Encoded Archival Description (EAD), including knowledge of DCRMB and DACS cataloging standards
  • Bibliographical proficiency in one or more languages besides English
  • Experience working with CONTENTdm, bepress, or DSpace
  • Experience with technologies such as XML and JSON.

 TO APPLY

Applications are only accepted through our applicant portal at https://theclaremontcolleges.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/TCCS_Careers.

Additional Materials: Please have the following items as a Word or PDF file ready to upload to complete your application:

(1)   Resume: Include relevant experience with dates and other qualifications, and

(2)   Cover Letter: Describe in detail how your experience, qualifications, and interests make you an ideal candidate for this position

 About The Claremont Colleges Library

We partner with faculty, students, and staff to provide a vital physical and digital center for research, teaching, learning, and other forms of intellectual engagement at The Claremont Colleges. Our Core Values explain why we take such pride in our work. They are the source of our passion, energy, professionalism, and productivity. These commonly shared values guide everything we do: User-centeredness, inclusivity, innovation, collaboration, education, community, discovery, stewardship. Learn more about us at https://library.claremont.edu/.