[Asis-l] Position: Resource Description Coordinator (George Washington University, Washington DC, USA)

[Karim Boughida]

Posted on behalf of Gelman Library, George Washington University
(Washington DC, USA).


THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES A SEARCH FOR 
A Resource Description Coordinator 

POSITION: RESOURCE DESCRIPTION COORDINATOR
LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT:  THE GELMAN LIBRARY SYSTEM
PRIMARY LOCATION: THE GELMAN LIBRARY

APPOINTMENT RANK AND SALARY: Appointment at the rank of Librarian II
(minimum salary $45,000 or Librarian III, minimum salary, $50,000). 
Rank and salary based on qualifications and experience.

The Resource Description Coordinator is a member of a
dynamically-evolving Digital and Technology Services Department and
assumes overall responsibility for cataloging policy and production. 
The Resource Description Unit is one of three primary units within
Technical Services, and is responsible for describing and providing
access to serial and monographic content in all formats.  MARC and
Non-MARC catalog records are created in this unit, keeping pace with
shifting library priorities.  The Resource Description Coordinator
reports to the Head of Technical Services, who in turn reports to the
Associate University Librarian for Digital Initiatives and Technical
Services.  This position is part of the Technical Services Management
Team which coordinates departmental policies, procedures and workflows.

The coordinator will supervise a small group of professionals and
paraprofessionals and will evolve a futuristic, fast paced,
cross-trained, and production oriented unit.  The coordinator will
establish local cataloging policies that focus on the user experience;
cataloging to the level needed and taking full advantage of third-party
records and services including authority control.  The coordinator will
work with Collection Development Librarians and the Public and Technical
Services staff to re-evaluate the traditional OPAC.  S/he will establish
new policies and procedures as needed and will research and promote new
models of access.    

The Resource Description Coordinator works to provide access to the
Gelman Library System’s (GLS) print and digital collections, including
ejournals, ebooks, and other less traditional electronic resources like
blogs, podcasts, 3-D images, virtual environments, and fugitive web
content as selected by Collection Development Librarians.  The
Coordinator will oversee the creation and maintenance of MARC records
and non-MARC metadata to appropriately describe and access electronic
and tangible content, commercial content that is purchased and/or
licensed; content digitized in-house; and digital content acquired as
part of manuscript and archival collections.  

The Resource Description Coordinator is responsible for developing and
implementing quality control procedures for all house and third-party
record creation; for keeping up-to-date on changing metadata standards;
and for designing new metadata capture workflows.  S/he will also train
and supervise staff in new metadata standards and workflows; and other
duties associated with the management of digital objects and data
related to them.  

The Resource Description Coordinator plays a leading role in evaluating
and implementing the appropriate metadata standards to be used for
various formats of material held by the GLS.  Such metadata standards
include, but are not limited to, MARC, METS, MODS, Dublin Core, EAD,
etc.  S/he works in coordination with the Serials and Electronic
Resources Coordinator to ensure efficient and effective delivery of
electronic resources to the GLS community, using emerging information
technologies and standards-based methods. The Coordinator plays an
active role in training Resource Description staff members in applying
and integrating these appropriate metadata standards to existing
day-to-day workflows. 

The Resource Description Coordinator participates in library planning,
serves on library, Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC)  and
University-wide committees, task forces, and teams.  S/he may also be
asked to coordinate metadata projects involving other units of the
University. The coordinator supervises paraprofessional and professional
staff, including at least one Metadata Specialist.   

GLS librarians are expected to be active professionally, to contribute
to developments in the field, and to perform additional duties as
assigned.  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

ALA-accredited masters level degree in library or information science,
or its equivalent.  
Minimum two years relevant experience in a library, museum, archive or
information center. 
Course work in, or 1 year’s recent (with 2 years) working experience
with, evolving standards of cataloging ebooks and other electronic
resources, issues related to the loading and integration of MARC
records. 
Course work in, or 1 year’s recent (within 2 years) working
experience with, standards-based metadata schemes, such as XML, EAD,
METS, MODS. 
Evidence of supervisory experience. 

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES PREFERRED:         

Demonstrated successful project management experience. 
Demonstrated ability to participate in a team environment to create
innovative cataloging workflows that contribute to quality customer
service. 
Excellent interpersonal skills.  
Ability to communicate clearly, knowledgeably, and personably, orally
and in writing. 
Experience in digital libraries. 
Knowledge of digital archiving and preservation trends. 
Experience providing access to special or archival collections. 
Evidence of innovation using emerging information technologies,
including the ability to develop concepts from idea to implementation. 
Experience with ILS systems, such as Innovative Interfaces, SirsiDynix,
ExLibris or other integrated library system. 
Demonstrated record of ongoing professional development and
contribution.  
REVIEW DATE: Review of applications will begin on April 7, 2008, and
will continue until the position is filled.

Application Procedure:
Only complete applications will be considered. To be considered, please
send a letter containing a brief statement of interest, submit an
assessment of skills related to qualifications in the basic
qualifications section, a curriculum vitae and complete contact
information for at least three references to:

Emma Mosby
Manager, Gelman Library System Administrative Services
The Gelman Library Administration Office
The George Washington University
The Melvin Gelman Library
2130 H St. NW, Room 201
Washington, DC  20052 
emosby at gwu.edu 


The University and department have a strong commitment to achieving
diversity among librarians and staff.  We are particularly interested in
receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and
strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this
position.

The George Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer