University of British Columbia | Vancouver, British Columbia

Full-time, Confirmation-track

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Technology, Discovery, and User Experience (TDUX), UBC Library | Vancouver Campus

Anticipated Start Date: April 1, 2023

UBC LIBRARY:

As one of the world’s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.

We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.

The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the Xwi7xwa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Over 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.

The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our aspirational values that we strive
to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism,
heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).

Learn more about the UBC Library Strategic Framework and about working with us.

TECHNOLOGY, DISCOVERY, AND USER EXPERIENCE (TDUX):

Technology, Discovery, and User Experience (TDUX) is a centralized library unit charged with managing technology and metadata functions to ensure oversight, coordination, and responsibility for a wide-range of library technologies. These functions include discovery, metadata, web services, user experience, accessibility, identity management, and technology infrastructure. With a focus on the user experience, TDUX is comprised of librarians and staff who work in partnership with library stakeholders,
UBC IT, and library vendors to manage and deliver technology systems, services, and solutions to diverse library user groups.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Indigenous Metadata Librarian plans and implements services that respond to the changing needs of UBC’s user communities. In support of UBC Library’s Strategic Framework and UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan, the Indigenous Metadata Librarian is primarily responsible for Indigenizing metadata schemas, descriptions, classification, and collection policies for Indigenous scholarship in collections for the Xwi7xwa Library and across the UBC Library. Based in the Technology, Discovery, and User Experience Unit (TDUX), the Indigenous Metadata Librarian works with the Xwi7xwa Library team and Collections Services in order to help coordinate metadata goals and objectives and works to ensure an integrated and holistic approach for Indigenous metadata in the context of managing the Library’s
technologies and the development of new technology solutions. The Indigenous Metadata Librarian also has responsibility for development and application of the First Nations House of Learning Thesaurus and Xwi7xwa Library classification system. This position stewards the thesaurus, classification system, and other Indigenizing development and maintenance work based on a clear understanding of the history of the Xwi7xwa Library and its collection and the Xwi7xwa Library’s evolving role at UBC and beyond. Participates in technology initiatives requiring integration of Indigenous metadata with systems, including, but not limited to, discovery interfaces, repositories, and exhibition software. Consults on contributions to NACO, establishing and revising name headings as necessary. Provides leadership, training, mentorship, and may supervise staff and student employees with metadata responsibilities. The Indigenous Metadata Librarian works in an environment of iterative and consultative decision making. Participates in the development of library policy, procedures, and services.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Indigenous Metadata Librarian reports to the Head, Technology, Discovery, and User Experience Unit and works under the direction of the Head of Xwi7xwa Library for work specific to the collections in Xwi7xwa Library. Consults and works collaboratively with Library colleagues within various units and throughout the Library system. This position supports Xwi7xwa Library to engage with its collection as a whole, discusses collection policies and priorities with the Xwi7xwa Library team members, and takes part in Indigenous community events, as appropriate. The Indigenous Metadata Librarian engages from an Indigenous perspective with the many facets related to technology management, including discovery, identity management, privacy, accessibility, and the user experience; discusses TDUX unit processes and priorities with TDUX team members, and participates in Library technology professional development
activities.

The Indigenous Metadata Librarian consults and collaborates with the Metadata Architecture Librarian on all facets related to metadata. This position also works with various Library units, including Digital Initiatives, Rare Books & Special Collections, University Archives, and Collections Services. Provides Indigenous Metadata expertise for cIRcle (UBC Library’s institutional repository), research data management, and other initiatives. Works with colleagues on internal and external committees and
working groups and, where appropriate, works and consults with external individuals and organizations on Indigenous metadata related topics and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Masters-level degree from an accredited program of library, or information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program. Well-qualified candidates nearing completion of this degree may be considered.
• Ability to build relationships and work collegially in a diverse, proactive, and team-oriented environment, in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement.
• Demonstrated cultural fluency for Indigenous contexts based on experiential knowledge.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous librarianship, Indigenous scholarship, and Canadian Indigenous peoples’ histories and cultures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of some or all of the following metadata functions that support the operations and strategic initiatives of academic libraries: cataloguing and description, standards and rules, taxonomies, controlled vocabularies, classification systems, and thesauri.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to consult with others, incorporate learned technical knowledge, and make independent decisions.
• Evidence of strong professional communication skills, including: written and verbal, in-person and digital, active listening, responding to constructive feedback.

PREFERRED

• Masters-level degree from an accredited program of library, or information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program. Well-qualified candidates nearing completion of this degree may be considered.
• Ability to build relationships and work collegially in a diverse, proactive, and team-oriented environment, in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement.
• Demonstrated cultural fluency for Indigenous contexts based on experiential knowledge.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous librarianship, Indigenous scholarship, and Canadian Indigenous peoples’ histories and cultures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of some or all of the following metadata functions that support the operations and strategic initiatives of academic libraries: cataloguing and description, standards and rules, taxonomies, controlled vocabularies, classification systems, and thesauri.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to consult with others, incorporate learned technical knowledge, and make independent decisions.
• Evidence of strong professional communication skills, including: written and verbal, in-person and digital, active listening, responding to constructive feedback.

PREFERRED

• Degree in an Indigenous Studies program or a related discipline.
• Experience or knowledge related to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and antiracism and social justice values into overall professional practice.
• Experience working in an academic library.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities.
• Experience working with Indigenous resources in multiple formats.
• Proficiency in an Indigenous language.
• Understanding of Indigenous language linguistic representations in the context of metadata.
• Knowledge of current and recent industry trends in library technologies, including search, discovery, metadata delivery, and interface design.
• Interest in leadership as related to committee and project work.
• Supervisory experience.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY:

Appointment: This is a full-time confirmation-track appointment with an anticipated start date of 1 April 2023. The successful candidate will hold an initial three-year appointment, normally followed by an ongoing confirmed appointment. In most cases confirmation-track appointments are reviewed following the second year of appointment, and a recommendation is made at that time to grant or not to grant an ongoing confirmed appointment.

The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-collective-agreement-and-policies).

Salary: Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, and will meet or exceed the minimum salaries outlined in the Collective Agreement. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/facultycollective-agreement-and-policies

Benefits: Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible
employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources:
https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status, and indicates the candidate’s education, training and work experience in the areas listed above. One consolidated PDF is preferred.
Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and on how to apply. The application deadline will be at 11:59pm on March 7, 2023.