Resource Description Coordinator, University of Utah, (Salt Lake City, UT – Hybrid)

Posted June 12, 2024

Appointment Type: Tenure Line
Rank: Assistant or Associate Librarian
Location: Salt Lake City, UT & Hybrid
Preferred consideration will be given to all applications received by July 7, 2024

Information and Inquiries: To learn about the position or provide a nomination, please contact
Melanie Hawks, Assistant Dean for Organizational Development and Director of Library Human
Resources, at [email protected]. Additional information about the application process
can be found at https://lib.utah.edu/faculty-faq.php.
Position Summary:
Are you a problem solver passionate about collaborating with colleagues to describe and make
scholarly resources available to stakeholders for a thriving community of students, faculty, and
researchers? The Collections and Scholarly Communication Division at the J. Willard Marriott
Library seeks a meticulous and flexible individual to lead the cataloging and processing of
library materials, providing original and complex cataloging, leadership, and consultation for
resource description in metadata schemas for resources in all formats. This person provides
long-term strategies to deal with MARC metadata initiatives and provides direction for staff in
techniques and new methodologies. As the University embarks upon new strategic directions,
this is an exciting time at the University of Utah.

Work Location:
Relocation to the Salt Lake City, Utah area is required and will be financially supported by house
hunting and moving allowances. This position is currently designed as a hybrid of on-campus
and local remote work. The telecommuting arrangement will be based on the position’s needs
and authorized at the Head of Collections & Resource Description’s discretion.

Primary Responsibilities:

Facilitates collaboration among the four campus libraries to ensure the most efficient and
appropriate metadata standards and best practices are used in making physical, electronic,
and digital materials discoverable and accessible in the library’s Integrated Library System
(ILS).
Coordinates and reports on the activities of librarians and staff currently involved in resource
description, including the direct supervision of staff.
Leads the development of policies, procedures, best practices, standards, and efficient
workflows.
Completes original and copy cataloging in all formats (i.e., physical, electronic, and digital).
Ensures compliance with national and local standards such as MARC, RDA, AACR2, LCSH,
LCC, NACO, BIBCO, CONSER, and other appropriate resource description standards.
Maintains authority control and provides database maintenance.
Leads special projects, including critical cataloging initiatives

Management & Supervision:
This position reports directly to the Head of Collections & Resource Description.
This position manages a team of three people

Join us in creating a great organization:
We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including those who
may not have followed a traditional career path. We are especially interested in identifying and
interviewing candidates with experience and expertise that will contribute to advancing our
mission to provide everyone with access to information resources and educational opportunities.
The Marriott Library faculty and staff are committed to ensuring that the University of Utah is a
place where people can unite in a spirit of belonging and community. The Utah Office of
Refugee Services cited the library’s leadership efforts when it named the University of Utah
“Employer of the Year.” Since 2021, we have employed a grant-funded Special Project Archivist
to preserve and enhance access to oral histories previously conducted with people from the
state’s Native American communities. Current digital exhibits highlight the contributions of many
different groups in our community, such as women in STEM, Utah’s Japanese American
community, and youth activist artists. Library faculty have recently published/presented research
on residency programs, tribal outreach and American Indian intellectual property, remediated
subject headings, and meeting a wide array of student needs through innovative outreach. We
have a long tradition of incorporating universal design principles into our physical and virtual
spaces.

The library is currently undergoing a strategic planning process. Our plan will ultimately align
with the University’s evolving Strategy 2030 (https://strategy.utah.edu).
The information in this posting is intended to give applicants an understanding of the role and
the types of skills, experiences, and credentials that will typically make someone qualified for
consideration and prepared to meet the position expectations. We do not expect any candidate
to be a perfect match for everything listed or to perform all duties with equal proficiently on day
one. In your CV and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would
bring to this position based on the posting.

Required Qualifications: ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent.

Experience cataloging a variety of digital and physical formats.
Experience applying cataloging tools and certifications, such as RDA, AACR2, LCSH, LCC,
and MARC21 for bibliographic and authority data.
Experience with library services platforms, i.e., Alma-Primo.
Experience with software and tools for editing bibliographic records, such as OCLC
Connexion and MarcEdit.

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with existing and evolving metadata standards and schemas, such as RDF and
EAD.
Strong supervisory experience, including experience with training, process improvement,
coaching, and performance management.
Experience with critical cataloging, reparative description, or similar projects.
Experience with national cooperative cataloging programs such as NACO, BIBCO,
CONSER, or SACO.
Experience in performing name, series, and subject authority work.
Cataloging experience with non-English materials.

Criteria for Faculty Appointment:
To be eligible for appointment at the Assistant rank, you will need to demonstrate evidence of
active participation and involvement in professional and scholarly associations or a record of
scholarly engagement.
To be eligible for appointment at the Associate rank, you must have demonstrated a record of
achievement sufficient to be awarded tenure concurrent with the appointment. At the time of
appointment, a packet demonstrating evidence of active participation in professional
associations and a record of scholarly engagement will be required.
The successful completion of a criminal background check is required by Utah state law
(http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-130.html).
Compensation:
Salary is for a 12-month effort and will be dependent on qualifications and rank appointment.
The budgeted salary range for appointment at the Assistant Librarian rank is $63,000-$68,000.
The budgeted salary range for appointment at the Associate Librarian rank is $75,000-78,000.
Our excellent benefits include a 14.2% retirement contribution to TIAA-CREF/Fidelity, medical
and dental coverage, and generous paid sick and vacation time.

Application instructions:

Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing the strengths you would bring to the role/organization, and contact information for five professional references. Reference letters are not requested.