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Geospatial Information Librarian, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA

Posted November 29, 2018

Geospatial Information Librarian

Librarian II or III

 

UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers.

 

As a gateway to knowledge, the UMass Amherst Libraries are key partners in teaching, learning, and research at UMass Amherst and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Supporting freedom of inquiry, the Libraries foster a diverse and inclusive environment in which to engage with ideas and acquire the critical skills necessary for lifelong learning. 

 

The UMass Amherst Libraries seek a dynamic and innovative Geospatial Information Librarian to lead and develop GIS services for teaching, learning, and research as a part of the emerging digital scholarship program in the UMass Amherst Libraries. Promotes, teaches, and supports the use of GIS technologies in research and instructional efforts. Applies and promotes best practices in the discovery, access, use, curation, dissemination, and preservation of locally created and externally available geospatial data through reference, research consultations, instruction, online guides, websites, and other outreach efforts. Participates in and contributes to the growth of the digital scholarship effort in the Libraries and on campus.

 

Example of Duties:

  1. Provide specialized GIS and geospatial data support for research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty, students, and researchers in all disciplines.
  2. Lead, develop, and promote GIS services and resources to meet curricular and research needs on campus.
  3. Provide research assistance, presentations, and instruction on the use of GIS tools and software.
  4. Develop services to assist faculty, students, and staff in finding and applying geospatial data.
  5. Collaborate with librarians, library staff, and campus communities to provide general and specialized GIS instruction in geospatial concepts and specific systems.
  6. Collaborate with other library and campus programs to apply and promote best practices in the discovery, access, use, curation, dissemination, and preservation of locally created and externally available geospatial data through reference, research consultations, instruction, online guides, websites, and other outreach efforts.
  7. Consult with and advise faculty, students, and other researchers on specific GIS projects in support of their academic pursuits, techniques, and methodologies through project support, workings, training programs, and curricular engagement.
  8. Collaborate on the development and implementation of library and university projects that involve the use of geospatial data.
  9. Collaborate with other library and campus programs to apply and promote best practices in the discovery, access, use, curation, dissemination, and preservation of locally created and externally available geospatial data through reference, research consultations, instruction, online guides, websites, and other outreach efforts.
  10. Work closely with subject librarians in outreach efforts to identify and support GIS opportunities in their disciplines.
  11. Monitor trends in GIS applications to teaching and research, and stay abreast of advances in geospatial technologies.
  12. Support current and emerging research, teaching, and creative activities in digital scholarship on campus.
  13. Communicate regularly with faculty, staff and students to develop and maintain strong, productive working relationships.
  14. Collaborate with library staff and others campus stakeholders in developing vision and development of digital scholarship initiatives.
  15. Work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.
  16. Represent the Libraries at Five College Committees, Boston Library Consortium Committees, or other selected professional meetings and conferences if asked.
  17. Serve on internal library committees as needed.
  18. Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the Library and the department.

 

Required Qualifications:

  1. Master’s degree in library sciences – or equivalent degree – from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or its appropriate equivalent in librarianship from another country, or have appropriate equivalent experience.
  2. 3 years demonstrated experience using desktop and web GIS and mapping software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth, MapInfo and Carto; experience with applications of these tools in research and teaching.
  3. Demonstrated experience working with and a working knowledge of how geospatial data are created, processed, organized, and used.
  4. Demonstrated knowledge of geospatial metadata standards, methods, and formats.
  5. Experience teaching GIS and geospatial concepts in an academic library environment with a demonstrated facility in conveying technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  6. Awareness of the latest trends in academic librarianship.
  7. Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and communications skills, including presentation skills, as well as initiative, flexibility and willingness to engage in continual learning.
  8. Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
  9. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a positive, constructive, flexible, and cooperative manner.
  10. Ability to respond effectively to rapidly changing needs and priorities showing initiative, flexibility, and good humor.
  11. Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement projects.
  12. Demonstrated ability to establish work priorities, set performance expectations, achieve goals, and direct work in a high-production, rapidly evolving setting.
  13. Record of developing and implementing new ideas in a complex, knowledge-creating organization.
  14. Ability to use technology in creative ways to solve problems and/or facilitate workflow.
  15. Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.
  16. Understanding, appreciation of and experience with the goals of higher education.

 

Preferred:

  1. Additional degree in GIS, geography, geology, geomatics or professional experience in these or similar areas.
  2. Experience with programming languages such as Python, Perl, or PHP
  3. Experience with data visualization tools, software, and concepts as related to geospatial information

 

RANK AND SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Librarian II salary floor is $60,000

Librarian III salary floor is $68,500

 

Application Instructions:

Apply online at http://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/496426/geospatial-information-librarian and submit a letter of application, resume, and contact information (phone and email) for three professional references by January 11, 2019 for priority consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is strongly committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. As part of a commitment to its own multicultural community, the Libraries seek an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace University initiatives and aspirations. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.

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