Metadata Coordinator, University of Ohio, Columbus, OH

Posted February 2, 2017

The Special Collections Description & Access Department at the Ohio State University Libraries is seeking applicants. This positions will work as a highly collaborative team on a 2-year project to:

migrate existing archival collection description from a variety of legacy sources to Archivists’ Toolkit
review the physical contents of these collections to ensure the description accurately aligns with physical holdings and revise/create/etc. description as needed (including performing MPLP-appropriate lite processing, where needed, to address inaccuracies)
publish finding aids for all collections worked on, thus allowing for independent research discovery of many of these collections for the first time

This will be a fast-paced, highly collaborative project requiring lots of problem-solving and attention to detail; anyone with a solid knowledge of and experience in the best practices for archival arrangement and description and an interest in working on a challenging, team-oriented project is encourage to apply. All postings are open now through 2/12/2017.

Summary of Duties

Term appointment for two years. Working on a project team under the direction of the Special Collections Processing Manager and in close collaboration with the Special Collections Migration Project Metadata Coordinator, this position is responsible for supervising and performing activities to improve intellectual and physical control over and access to special collections materials held at the Ohio State University Libraries (OSUL). Reviews all existing description for designated archival collections and all physical materials associated with each collection; compares description to physical contents and makes any necessary revisions, additions, or deletions according to Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and OSUL?s description guidelines. Following the More Product, Less Process (MPLP) model, identifies collections that may be candidates for minimal processing during the course of the project; may perform or oversee processing activities if processing is approved for selected collections. Ensures containers are labeled correctly and verifies that container shelving locations have been recorded in all appropriate systems. Assists in leading on-going shelf reads and other location maintenance projects. Supervises one full-time project staff member and several student assistants, assigning and reviewing all of their work activities. Collaborates daily with the Special Collections Migration Project Metadata Coordinator to ensure that description of collections worked on by the project team are recorded accurately in Archivists’ Toolkit and OSUL?s ILS (III Sierra), with finding aids for collections published to the OSUL website. Works under the general supervision of the Special Collections Processing Manager, in consultation with the Head of Special Collections Description & Access, and in daily collaboration with 3-5 additional team members involved in this project. Consults and collaborates with others throughout the library as appropriate. May perform other duties as assigned. Please be aware that travel reimbursement and relocation assistance will not be offered with this position.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or education/experience equivalent; considerable experience writing and editing archival description following DACS, with thorough knowledge of DACS rules; diverse experience processing archival collections, including experience processing collections of many sizes, formats, and complexities; experience processing collections according to MPLP guidelines with strong comprehension of MPLP principles; solid knowledge of professional archival standards and practices; ability to communicate this information effectively; strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail; ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment as a member of a team project; strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills; works in archival storage conditions where temperatures are approximately 62 degrees F; must be able to lift 40 lbs. and push a cart weighing up to 80 lbs.

Desired Qualifications:

3-5 years’ experience processing and describing archival materials following archival best practices; prior supervisory experience (particularly supervision of archival arrangement and description activities); experience in project management or workflow development/documentation; experience writing and editing EAD and MARC; experience using an archival collection management system; previous experience working in a collaborative archival setting.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.jobsatosu.com/postings/75908