Data Management Specialist

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse university in Virginia, and they are seeking a Data Management Specialist. This role ensures the integrity of data across various library data platforms, collaborating with departments to evaluate and improve metadata for better resource discovery.

Responsibilities

• Manages discrete large-scale metadata, maintenance, and enhancement projects within the Library Services Platform (LSP), utilizing advanced global and bulk editing tools, both internal and external to the system
• Serves as a key collaborator with functional units across the Libraries to assess and meet evolving metadata and discovery needs; and
• Interprets and applies national and international cataloging standards (e.g., RDA, MARC) alongside local procedures to ensure data integrity, consistency, and alignment with institutional priorities
• Creates, edits, and transforms descriptive metadata for digital collections, including rare and special collections, in multiple digital collections platforms and in multiple formats
• Collaborates closely with departments across the libraries to determine and meet metadata and discovery needs specific to their materials and platform use
• Proactively explores new tools and develops workflows to reflect evolving library processes; and
• Interprets and applies national and international cultural heritage standards (e.g., Dublin Core, MODS) alongside local procedures to ensure data integrity, consistency, and alignment with institutional priorities
• Acquires and batch loads MARC catalog records and other data into the Library Services Platform (LSP), ensuring data integrity, consistency, and alignment with metadata standards
• Identifies and harvests records from external sources, executing complex bulk edits and managing large-scale data integration workflows
• Designs and maintains import profiles to support efficient, accurate data ingestion, and conducts quality assurance reviews to ensure records meet institutional and national cataloging standards; and
• Serves as a key point of contact across multiple departments for data load operations, proactively communicating status updates, and coordinating with Access & Resource Management staff to support seamless discovery and access
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Library work experience (including volunteering or internships)
• Experience working with metadata for library, archival, or cultural heritage resources
• Advanced working knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel or OpenRefine
• Knowledge of library or cultural heritage metadata standards such as MARC, Dublin Core, MODs, or VRA Core
• Demonstrated analytical, detail-oriented problem-solving, and creative thinking skills, working both independently and with others
• Well-developed service orientation skills and understanding of functional work and its impact on other library units as well as the user community
• Ability to work independently, but also as part of a team in a fast-paced, production- and service-oriented environment
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise good judgement
• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Experience creating original metadata for library, archival, or cultural heritage resources
• Experience working with Ex Libris Alma LSP
• Demonstrated skill in one or more library or cultural heritage metadata standards
• Working knowledge of batch record editing (e.g., MarcEdit)
• Proficiency in library services platforms (e.g., Alma), discovery and access systems, bibliographic utilities (e.g., OCLC WorldShare), and related systems and tools

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