The Dalhousie University Libraries is seeking an innovative, service-oriented professional librarian to develop and deliver data services, in conjunction with the Associate University Librarian (AUL), Library Services. This is a limited term position for ten months beginning January 2020. They will also assist in the provision of a range of liaison librarian services to support teaching, learning, research and outreach in the Faculty of Computer Science, the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, and the Integrated Science Program, working with the AUL/Head of Killam. This limited term position is appointed through the Killam Memorial Library, reporting to the AUL Planning & Head Killam Library for liaison librarian duties and matters outlined in the Collective Agreement, and reporting to the Associate University Librarian Library Services for Data aspects of the position.

The Dalhousie University Libraries values diversity of thought, perspective, experience, and people and is actively committed to a culture of inclusion and respect. The successful candidate will enthusiastically grow the University Libraries’ welcoming multicultural environment. More information on Dalhousie University’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Strategy can be found by visiting https://www.dal.ca/cultureofrespect/diversity-strategy.html.

About the Dalhousie University Libraries:

Dalhousie University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We are all Treaty people.

The Dalhousie Libraries system includes: the Killam Memorial Library (Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Management, and Computer Science), the W.K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library (Medicine, Dentistry and Health), the Sexton Design & Technology Library (Engineering, Architecture and Planning), the MacRae Library (Agriculture), the Sir James Dunn Law Library (an integral part of the Dalhousie Libraries with direct reporting to the Dean of Law) and the University Archives (located in the Killam and MacRae Libraries). As a cohesive library system with a team comprising over 30 professional librarians and 90 staff, we support the unique discipline-based needs of our users and their shared goals to achieve excellence in teaching, learning and research.

The Dalhousie Libraries is a member of Novanet, a consortium of Nova Scotia academic libraries sharing a common library management system (Ex Libris Aleph 500), the Council of Atlantic University Libraries (CAUL) and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), among other collaborative initiatives. Additional information is available at http://libraries.dal.ca, http://www.novanet.ns.ca, http://caul-cbua.ca/, and  http://carl-abrc.ca.

The Role:

The Data Librarian provides system-wide leadership in the delivery of data services, reporting to the AUL Library Services. The Data Librarian fosters and responds to the growing interest in the application and use of data, datasets and geospatial concepts and techniques as part of the research agenda of faculty and students. The development and provision of data services will involve working with colleagues from all libraries in the Dalhousie Libraries system. The Data Librarian will coordinate data-related training and professional development opportunities for librarian colleagues to achieve excellence in the delivery of data services. Research, liaison, collections and instructional duties for assigned subject areas will be located at the Killam Memorial Library for the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, the Integrated Science Program and the Faculty of Computer Science.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

• Provides leadership and expertise in coordinating, planning and delivering library services related to the collection, discovery, use, and management of locally and externally available geospatial and numeric data across the Dalhousie Libraries
• Provides specialized reference service and instruction to faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students in the use of spatial and numeric data.
• Delivers effective data research instruction for individuals, groups and classes. Supports the development of data literacy and numeracy skills, and liaises with instructors to promote and facilitate the use of data in their classes.
• Leads workshops on various aspects of data/GIS services and applications, data visualization tools, and statistical software.
• Performs collections and liaison duties in the sciences.
• Works in partnership with the Research Data Management (RDM) team, sharing expertise and knowledge.
• As the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) and Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) representative, promotes access to Statistics Canada Public Use Microdata Files (PUMF) via various platforms, downloads microdata files as necessary and provides appropriate support.
• Provides in-depth consultation and information services in the discovery and use of Canadian statistical resources (e.g. Census, Stat Can Data Tables), survey data, and data access resources and tools (e.g. CHASS, Nesstar, ODESI, ICPSR).
• Promotes the use of geospatial data and the services provided by the Dal Libraries’ GIS Centre based on the analysis of constituents’ needs, and in the context of other value-added services provided by the Libraries.
• Performs subject specialist liaison duties for the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, the Integrated Science Program and the Faculty of Computer Science, including research assistance, systematic review support and collection management.
• Actively participates in key data groups – e.g. DLI, IASSIST and ICPSR.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• An MLIS degree from an ALA accredited program or equivalent.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and researchers of varying levels of technical expertise.
• Proven ability to engage students and enhance learning outcomes through effective teaching techniques and the use of appropriate educational technologies.
• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide variety of Canadian and international data sources.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively liaise with faculty and students and work collaboratively to achieve the library’s goals and strategic plan.
• Excellent analytical project management skills.
• Willingness to share expertise, work in teams and negotiate solutions with diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or of Computer Science or of Psychology degree or demonstrated professional experience in the sciences, in computer science, or in psychology.
• Previous experience with one or more of SDA, ODESI, NESSTAR or similar data extractor/ delivery system.
• Demonstrable working knowledge with one or more statistical software packages such as R, STATA, SAS, MATLAB or SPSS.
• Experience with common qualitative and quantitative research methods, descriptive statistics and data analysis tools & techniques.
• General knowledge of spatial analysis and GIS applications (e.g. ArcGIS).
• Interest in and capacity for conducting research.
• Experience with delivering academic library services such as instruction and liaison to one or more science disciplines.
• Proven ability to work independently and collegially as a productive member of a team.
• Proven ability to promote respect and inclusion by working successfully with a wide variety of people and encouraging their participation and involvement.

Salary and Benefits:

Rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience and subject to the terms of the Dalhousie Faculty Association Collective Agreement. The position will not be filled at a rank higher than Librarian I.

Availability of the Position:

The position has a proposed starting date of January 1, 2020.

Deadline for applications: October 15, 2019.

Application package: letter of interest, addressed to Donna Bourne-Tyson, University Librarian; curriculum vitae and the names of three references.

Apply to: http://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/2081

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and

inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.