Data / GIS Librarian w/ University of British Columbia

Koerner Library at the University of British Columbia has a position open for a Data/Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Librarian in Vancouver, Canada.  

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, two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), one off-site hospital library, and the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre – a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility.

The Library’s collection of over 7M items includes 1.4M ebooks, 229,020 electronic journals, 850,000 maps, audio, DVD/video and graphic materials, and 1, 703 bibliographic and fulltext databases.

More than 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 Strategic Plan 2010-2015 can be viewed at  www.library.ubc.ca/strategicplan/<http://www.library.ubc.ca/strategicplan/>.

Overview of the position:

Provides leadership and expertise in planning and developing library services related to the collection, discovery, use, and management of locally and externally available geospatial and numeric data across a wide range of disciplines.  Reviews and updates services in response to user needs.  Provides specialised reference service and instruction to faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students in the use of spatial and numeric data.  Provides web-based and classroom instruction and assistance in the use of information resources.  Leads Research Commons workshops on various aspects of data/GIS services, such as SimplyMap, data visualization tools, and statistical software.  Participates in the development of library policy and procedures. Actively participates on library-wide committees and teams.  Collaborates with colleagues within the Library, partners across campus and at other institutions, as well as with data providers.

Qualifications:

Required:
*   A graduate degree from an accredited school of Library, Archival and Information Science
*   Academic background in Geography, GIS, or related discipline in the humanities or social sciences
*   Demonstrated ability to provide reference and consultation for ArcGIS Desktop, and other common GIS software tools, in an academic library environment.
*   Knowledge of current data metadata standards, practices, and trends in GIS
*   Ability to identify, retrieve and use geospatial and numeric data resources as well as communicate knowledge to researchers with varying levels of technical expertise
*   Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following quantitative or qualitative software packages for statistical analysis: SPSS, Stata, R, SAS, NVivo, or ATLAS.ti
*   Familiarity with data visualization techniques and tools
*   Experience in the provision of public services such as reference, instruction, and liaison for academic and research communities in the humanities and social sciences
*   Demonstrated commitment to responsive and innovative information services
*   Excellent analytical, organizational, planning, and project management skills
*   Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively as a member of a team
*   Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
*   Experience teaching workshops, facilitating group discussion, and making presentations
*   Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion

Preferred:
*   Experience supervising staff
*   Experience acquiring, developing, using, and evaluating print map collections

Working Relationships:

Reports to the Head of Koerner Library.  In consultation with the Head, plans and implements data/GIS services for users. Works collaboratively with the Data/GIS Analyst and Government Publications Librarian in the provision of services.  A high degree of planning, collaboration and coordination with other staff in the Library and with external partners is required, particularly with IT @ Library staff, the Research Data Librarian and other Digital Programs and Services staff responsible for other digital repositories. Works with faculty, staff, students and the public.  Also works with colleagues at other libraries on shared initiatives, such as the BCRLG data services project. May supervise the work of library staff and students in the provision of data/GIS services.

Terms of Appointment and Salary:

This position will be filled as a full time ongoing position. If eligible and qualified, the successful applicant may be appointed with a confirmed appointment. Otherwise, there will be an initial three-year probationary appointment.  Normally, such an appointment is reviewed by the end of the second year of appointment, and a recommendation is made at that time to grant or not to grant a confirmed appointment.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications.

We are seeking applications from Librarians with up to 10 years of experience.  However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. The University especially welcomes applications from visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
Applications will include: 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; a detailed and current curriculum vitae.

To view the complete job description and to submit an application, please visit the UBC Careers page at http://facultycareers.ubc.ca/19222  by midnight on October 2nd, 2014.

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