Metadata & Research Support Specialist, Open Society Research Services, New York
Deadline: November 10, 2019
Do you want to help make the world a better place with your descriptive metadata and research skills? We’re seeking a Metadata & Research Support Specialist, based in New York, to facilitate efficient discovery and access to information.
The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.
As part of the Strategy Unit, Research Services is a rapidly evolving research and knowledge management resource, working to ground and enhance OSF’s living strategy practice. By tracking, curating, facilitating access to, and preserving authoritative resources, Research Services assists staff in staying current in their fields and making informed decisions, which in turn better positions them to improve upon the development, implementation, and assessment of their programmatic strategies.
As a Metadata & Research Support Specialist at Open Society, you will:
Maintain and improve the discovery, usage, and preservation of a diverse array of information resources;
Provide secondary research support through consultations and user-friendly service;
Collaborate with research and data-focused colleagues to promote knowledge sharing and dissemination;
Support trainings and information sessions on research and information practices;
Prepare reports on pricing, usage, resource inquiries, and other metrics to support collection development, budget processes, and reporting requirements for Research Services.
What we are looking for:
Three to five years of experience in creating, enhancing, and updating metadata, ideally in an academic library or research institution;
Knowledge of metadata standards, taxonomies, controlled vocabularies, database structures, and Linked Data concepts, with exquisite attention to detail;
Demonstrated proficiency with contemporary software systems and applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Google, OCLC, CRM, and digital asset/information management systems;
Excellent writing, verbal, analytical, and problem-solving skills;
Familiarity with copyright, preservation, and ethical issues related to research publications and practices;
Excellence in service delivery and relationship management.
Desirable (but not required):
Subject experience in global human rights and justice, law, social sciences, and/or international affairs;
Experience working in complex, hierarchical, and multi-stakeholder organizations;
International or cross-cultural experience and proficiency in more than 1 language.
