Digital Stewardship Librarian

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Digital Stewardship Librarian position. The Digital Stewardship Librarian is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $62,776 per year - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

As part of a collaborative, dynamic, and diverse team, the Digital Stewardship Librarian coordinates the planning and implementation of digital preservation strategies, digital records management, and research data support for the library and the college. Works with colleagues in IT and the library to develop and implement policies, procedures, and workflows for data management and preservation that are consistent with best practices in the profession. Works with colleagues in Archives & Special Collections and across the college to facilitate digital records transfer to the Archives. Consults with departments and faculty on best practices for managing research data.

This position is eligible for a remote or hybrid schedule. Note that remote workers at Amherst College must reside in Massachusetts or Connecticut.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Digital Preservation and Digital Records Management

• Along with colleagues in the Digital Initiatives & Web Services department and across the library, is part of a team charged with envisioning, planning, and implementing services that support the preservation of digital library materials and are consistent with best practices in the profession.

• Participates in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, workflows, and strategies for preservation of born-digital, digitized, and licensed digital content across library collections, including digital assets in ACDC (Amherst College Digital Collections).

• Collaboratively develops and implements policies, procedures, workflows, and strategies for transferring digital records from College departments to the Archives.

• In collaboration with Collection Management, creates and manages preservation metadata for preserved digital content.

• Collaborates with colleagues in administrative departments across the College to ensure smooth transfer of digital records and advise on best practices for data management.

• Collaborates with colleagues in IT to integrate efforts to manage and preserve digital content of enduring value throughout the digital curation lifecycle.

• Works across diverse stakeholders at the college to advocate for, provide expertise for, and advance practices that support digital preservation and reliable records management at the college.

• Identifies and implements technological solutions to streamline or otherwise improve digital-asset transfer, management, and preservation workflows and activities.

• Creates and maintains documentation.

• Participates in and stays abreast of developments in digital preservation and digital records management.

• In consultation with Archives & Special Collections, manages the Library's web archiving program.

• Actively participates in strategic planning and setting direction for Digital Initiatives.

Research Data and Scholarly Communications

• Participates in the library's Scholarly Communications committee, which acts as a source of informed guidance for faculty, students, and staff on the use, development, and dissemination of scholarly work and research data; and develops and manages outreach materials and programs to educate the college community about scholarly communication and open access.

• In collaboration with Research & Instruction, particularly the Science Librarian, acts as a resource for the campus community on open access, managing research data, and scholarly communication.

Qualifications:

Required

• Master of Library and Information Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association or foreign equivalent.

• 0-1 year of related experience.

• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with proven success in independently prioritizing work and managing competing deadlines.

• Commitment to working closely and collaboratively across organizational boundaries, with diverse colleagues which here includes undergraduates, faculty, staff, and college administrators.

• Curiosity about and openness to learning new standards and emerging technologies.

• Ability to teach complicated concepts to other people in an understandable and accessible manner.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to advocate for the library to a variety of constituents; proven success in communicating with technical and non-technical individuals.

• Experience managing projects, ideally those that involve working collaboratively across groups or departments.

• Competence and sensitivity in working at a college in which students are broadly diverse with regard to gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

Preferred

If you're not familiar with any or all of these, please submit your application anyway.

• Knowledge of digital preservation standards and principles as demonstrated through coursework, professional development, or work experience.

• Knowledge of the research data lifecycle as demonstrated through coursework, professional development, or work experience.

• Experience developing policies and procedures in a digital library environment.

• Experience with archival principles and managing records in an archival context.

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.