Metadata Librarian

Library of the University of California, Davis

Overview of Position

The Library of the University of California (UC), Davis, seeks a forward-looking and entrepreneurial professional to join our team as the Metadata Librarian and advance the library’s efforts to transform and improve discovery of library resources, collection management, and the organization and curation of data.

Reporting to the Head of Content Support Services, this position will take a strategic role in leading the library into a world of Linked Data in production, reconceiving metadata creation and attendant workflows (such as Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) authority work, metadata enrichment, and data cleanup projects) to take advantage of emerging opportunities in metadata sharing. The UC Davis Library has implemented cataloging in BIBFRAME for several types of materials and is committed to being an early adopter of Linked Data in all aspects of its metadata production and management.

The Metadata Librarian will provide intellectual and professional leadership around metadata best practices for both traditional library collections as well as emerging and potential areas of curation, including both data acquired to support digital scholarship and data created by campus researchers. In addition to performing original cataloging and serving as the library’s liaison to NACO and the Cooperative Online Serials Program (CONSER), this role will manage cataloging projects and collaborate closely with the Head of the Metadata Creation and Discovery Unit (MCDU) to provide training and consultation for MCDU team members.

As a member of the Content Support Services Department, the incumbent collaborates with others in the Scholarly Resources division to plan and coordinate policies, procedures, workflows, and projects.

This is not an H-1B opportunity. The University will not offer sponsorship for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they are legally authorized to work in the United States.

UC Davis and UC Davis Library

The University of California, Davis, is a global community of individuals united to better humanity and our natural world while seeking solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. Located near Sacramento, California’s capital, UC Davis has more than 39,000 students, the full-time equivalent of 4,100 faculty and other academics and researchers, and 17,400 other personnel. The university has an annual sponsored research budget of over $960 million, includes a major academic health system, and over two dozen specialized research centers. Recognized as one of the top 10 public universities in the US and the number one university in the world for agricultural research and veterinary medicine, UC Davis offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges - Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools - Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Nursing. The university is a top-tier public university, with multiple top rankings in a variety of areas. In addition to the main campus in Davis and the medical center in Sacramento, UC Davis has research facilities in Bodega Bay and Tahoe and faculty in every county of the state through its agricultural extension program.

The UC Davis Library is ranked among the top academic research libraries in North America and belongs to the Association of Research Libraries and other organizations that position it to collaborate with other top organizations. The library utilizes Ex Libris’s Alma as its resource management system and Primo VE as its discovery platform. Actively engaged in Linked Data initiatives, the library has begun transitioning its bibliographic data and operations from MARC to Linked Data. Additionally, the Library is a member of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) and participates in the CONSER, NACO, and Subject Authority Cooperative (SACO) programs.

The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in bibliographic description rules, standards, and tools; be committed to collaborative, impactful problem-solving for the library and its users; demonstrate an appetite for emerging technologies such as Linked Data; and be capable of developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

The work location for this position is principally on campus, with some flexibility to work remotely per applicable Library policy.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our campus strategic plan, and the library’s strategic plan. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

Position Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Head of Content Support Services, the incumbent will:

• Create metadata for a diverse range of materials and oversee quality control for previously cataloged content
• Resolve complex metadata and database quality problems referred by colleagues
• Provides training and consultation for colleagues, especially the Metadata Creation and Discovery Unit
• Working in conjunction with the Head of Content Support Services, set priorities for metadata creation and processing of new materials
• Serve as the library’s NACO and CONSER liaison
• Design, oversee, and participate in bibliographic database cleanup and enrichment projects
• Oversee aspects of bibliographic database management related to large-scale relocation projects, including updating metadata records to contemporary standards to enable off-site storage of materials
• Provide leadership in transitioning the library to a Linked Data metadata creation environment, including active participation in testing cataloging environments and interfaces (e.g., those developed by Blue Core project, OCLC, or - Ex Libris), managing related projects, and training cataloging staff in post-MARC metadata production
• May oversee or participate in other Linked Data initiatives, such as powering a faculty profile database with upstream data sources
• Maintain knowledge of current resource description standards and tools
• Contribute to the work of the Library through participation in committees, task forces, and other collaborative projects
• Participate in national and international professional organizations and activities
• As an academic appointee, engage actively in pertinent ongoing research, scholarship, or creative activity and/or teaching, including peer review, dissemination, and corresponding university and disciplinary engagement
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities, as assigned

Salary and Benefits

Rank and salary: Associate Librarian, Salary Point 1, $80,349 to Associate Librarian, Salary Point 15, $116,671. (Appointment rank and salary based on qualifications and experience.)

The incumbent will be a member of the LX Collective Bargaining Unit represented by the University Council - American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT).

Benefits: The University of California is one of the largest employers in California, and offers outstanding health and retirement benefits to its employees and their families. Librarians are academic appointees and earn 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year. In addition, there are 13 university holidays.
http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Application Information

Candidates applying by August 24, 2025, will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled. See https://www.library.ucdavis.edu/careers/ for this posting and information about working at the UC Davis Library.

Please include a letter of interest addressing qualifications and experience related to the position, a Curriculum Vitae, and names and contact information for at least four references.

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus effective January 1, 2014.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.
UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.