Metadata Librarian

UVA Library is seeking a Metadata Librarian in the Metadata and Discovery Services (MDS) department. This position develops, implements, and accomplishes the goals and objectives of the MDS department in alignment with the strategic priorities of the Scholarly Resource & Content Strategy (SRCS) division and the University of Virginia Library. This position creates, enhances, and maintains descriptive metadata and metadata standards to improve discoverability and support interoperability with the appropriate metadata schemas, content standards, and controlled vocabularies.

The incumbent serves as the primary Metadata authority across the institution with a focus on indexing, mapping, crosswalking, maintaining, and enhancing Metadata. While the position focuses primarily on creating and maintaining non-MARC Metadata schemas and standards, the incumbent also collaborates on MARC Metadata to ensure interoperable metadata. The Metadata Librarian engages in departmental initiatives to promote reparative Metadata descriptions and support inclusive Metadata practices.

About the University of Virginia Library:

The University of Virginia Library is here to ensure that the University community has the information it needs for teaching, research, and enrichment. Regularly ranked in the top quartile of ARL libraries, UVA Library has six locations, more than 220 staffers, and more than 100 student employees. Additionally, as a major research institution, the Library regularly collaborates with professional organizations such as the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), Virginia Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and others.

The University of Virginia Library is committed to a culture of mutual respect, civility, cooperation, mindfulness, accountability, and acceptance of individual differences. Departments and individuals are expected to work together, both in professional collaborations and in creating a culture where all can thrive.

Job Responsibilities

Metadata Management - 90%

• Provides leadership to MDS in designing and executing policies, guidelines, and profiles for metadata projects involving non-MARC metadata schemas and standards.
• Develops non-MARC workflows to plan, coordinate, and conduct metadata enhancement to improve discoverability.
• Serves as an expert consultant on the development and implementation of metadata projects with a focus on best practices, quality control, tools, procedures, workflows, and standards.
• Utilizes software tools to analyze and transform metadata, while also cultivating knowledge of programming languages (i.e.: Python or R) to automate tasks with scripts and manipulate metadata.
• Collaborate on strategies for utilizing sematic technologies, such as RDF, schema.org, SPARQL, and existing collections.
• Creates and maintains local documentation on metadata standards and application profiles.
• Collaborates on the planning and development of sustainable solutions for optimizing metadata management, interoperability, and integration of metadata across systems.
• Assesses developments in local, national, and international Metadata standards and policies.

Professional Activities - 10%

• Engages in metadata initiatives within the UVA Libraries and the broader university community.
• Assesses, observes, and participates in national areas of interest regarding metadata librarianship.
• Participates in professional associations, working groups, task forces, instructional programs and committees with the goal of implementing metadata tools that innovate current metadata manipulation processes.
• Contributes to innovation in metadata practices by engaging in academic discourse through scholarly publications or professional engagements.

Minimum Qualifications

The Library will be hiring into the following job profiles below based on qualifications and experience and the working title will be Metadata Librarian:

Librarian II:

• Education: Master's degree in Library Science from ALA Accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency substitution (per Department of Labor Equivalency Guidelines): Bachelor’s + 4 Years relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience: 4-9 years (post degree/experience equivalency).

Librarian III:

• Education: Master's degree in Library Science from ALA Accredited program or relevant graduate degree. Experience equivalency substitution (per Department of Labor Equivalency Guidelines): Bachelor’s + 4 Years relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience: 9 or more years (post degree/experience equivalency).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with established metadata and cataloging tools and standards and demonstrates a willingness to learn, while also viewing challenges as opportunities for professional growth
• Familiarity with evolving technologies and standards in resource description (e.g.: BIBFRAME, RDA, and RDF) and identity management (e.g., ORCID, VIAF, and BIBFRAME, et cetera).
• A commitment to explore and incorporate innovative tools that elevate digital accessibility and boost operational efficiency of metadata management and knowledge of metadata sharing and harvesting practices (e.g., OAI-PMH), metadata mapping, and linked data.
• Knowledge of analytical and transformational metadata tools (i.e.: OpenRefine, MarcEdit, et cetera) and programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python) for data manipulation, automation, and harvesting.
• Familiarity with sematic web technologies (e.g., RDF, schema.org, SPARQL, et cetera).
• Experience with PCC, NACO, BIBCO, CONSER, or SACO programs.
• Ability to communicate in writing to both technical and non-technical audiences.

The UVA Library is interested in reviewing candidates with a broad range of experiences, education, and qualifications. We are dedicated to building a dynamic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Anticipated starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience:

• Librarian II: $75,000 - $85,000
• Librarian III: $82,000 - $92,000

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA designated as hybrid, and the successful candidate will be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week after a probationary period.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Application review will begin after January 26, 2026. Preference will be given to applications received by this date.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online , by searching for requisition number R0078668. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter - should include your interest in the position and how your relevant experience pertains to this position and the UVA Library

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .

Reference Checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For questions about the application process, please contact Karon Harrington at fak3ph@virginia.edu .

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.