The New York Public Library is accepting applications for a Metadata 
Archivist.  The position description is available at https://jobs-
nypl.icims.com/jobs/7937/metadata-archivist/job and is also posted below.

METADATA ARCHIVIST
Position Description:

Overview:
The New York Public Library holds nearly 10,000 archival and manuscript 
collections comprising over 50,000 linear feet. These collections are 
distributed across several curatorial units in three research centers. They 
support the work of a world-wide readership of scholars, writers, artists, 
and other advanced researchers, as well as initiatives and exhibits 
undertaken by NYPL and other educational and cultural institutions . For 
more information about our collection see archives.nypl.org.

The purpose of the Archives Unit (AU) is to support archival enterprise at 
NYPL by insuring that all archival collections are acquired, processed, and 
prepared for access according to best practices established internally at 
NYPL and externally in the archives, library, and preservation communities. 
The AU pursues these goals by informing the acquisition process through 
collaboration with curators, donors/sellers of archival collections, and 
Library Administrators, and by managing and performing all the work on 
archival and manuscript collections from their physical transfer to NYPL 
until they are ready to be served in the appropriate reading rooms. The unit 
also supports and contributes to other archival projects, such as collection 
moves and digitization. The Archives Unit not only responds to the needs of 
curatorial units and their collections, but actively seeks out and engages 
in partnerships and collaborations in the fields of archival management, 
description, preservation, and access. 

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Head of the Archives Unit, the Metadata 
Archivist oversees NYPL’s archival data standards, in particular Encoded 
Archival Description (EAD), Encoded Archival Context-Corporate Bodies, 
Persons, and Families (EAC-CPF), and related description and digital content 
standards and tools.

The Metadata Archivist will:

Collaborate with staff throughout NYPL to promote portability of metadata    
related to its archival collections

Lead efforts to enhance descriptive data to optimize its use by internal and 
external systems and partners

Assume an active role in initiatives within the broader archival community 
related to the development and implementation of archival metadata standards

Play a leadership role in NYPL’s implementation of ArchivesSpace and assume 
the management of the project now in progress to convert approximately 1000 
legacy finding aids into EAD through a vendor

Work closely with NYPL Labs (digital innovation team) and other 
technologists on the ongoing development of the Library’s archives portal 
(archives.nypl.org)

Collaborate with the Library’s Metadata Services Manager and other NYPL 
staff outside of the Archives Unit to facilitate metadata portability and 
promote best practices across the organization

Lead the implementation of Encoded Archival Context – Corporate bodies, 
Persons, and Families (EAC-CPF) at NYPL; plan, direct, and review the work 
of other staff in Archives Unit

Qualifications:

ALA-accredited Master's degree in library, archival or information studies 
or Master’s degree in Liberal Arts or Humanities; degree or background in 
American History preferred

Successful completion of archival training

Successfully demonstrated relevant experience in an archives or manuscripts 
repository arranging and describing archives and/or providing reference 
service to users of archives.

Strong working knowledge of EAD, HTML, XML, including the RelaxNG and 
Schematron schema languages; DACS, MARC, AACR2, RDA, LCSH, LCAF, and LC 
cataloging standards.

Familiarity with EAC-CPF, MODS, METS, other metadata standards, and Linked 
Data

Familiarity and experience with methods and tools for data remediation

Experience creating, editing, and executing transformations on XML data; 
experience transforming XML and JSON data programmatically through scripting 
languages such as python or ruby preferred

Demonstrated ability to access and manipulate data through relational 
databases and API endpoints preferred.

Experience creating and/or maintaining documentation of guidelines, 
policies, and procedures

Working knowledge of historical research methodology and experience with 
standard bibliographic tools

Reading knowledge of at least one foreign language

Demonstrated willingness and ability to grow and develop existing 
programming skill sets

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Successfully demonstrated initiative, accuracy, attention to detail, 
judgment, analytic and organizational skills

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Experience maintaining an implementation of EAD in an archival or special 
collections context preferred.

Familiarity with the Archivists’ Toolkit and ArchivesSpace preferred.

Experience supervising and training staff preferred

Awareness of web development practices and methodology preferred