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Spatial Data Librarian - Skidmore College

Location: USA - NY - Saratoga Springs

Lucy Scribner Library at Skidmore College invites enterprising, student-centered applicants for the newly established position of Spatial Data Librarian. While the college has offered GIS instruction for a number of years, this position is new to Scribner Library, which means the new Spatial Data Librarian will have the exciting opportunity to build a suite of courses, resources, and services over the coming years.

In support of Skidmore’s teaching mission, the Spatial Data Librarian facilitates access to geospatial data and tools, including unique campus maps and local community data sets, and helps students and faculty curate project-generated data. In addition, this individual will design and deliver credit-bearing courses to students using spatial data in key disciplines. The Librarian will teach up to 12 credits (i.e., 3 or 4 courses) per academic year: the highest priority is to offer Introduction to GIS, but the Librarian will also develop more advanced course offerings to meet current and emerging campus needs across the disciplines. Based in the GIS Center for Interdisciplinary Research, which is staffed by a coordinator and student assistants, the Librarian will also provide instructional and research support to academic departments and programs that utilize spatial data resources and analysis. In collaboration with the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning (CLTL), Learning Experience Design and Digital Scholarship Support (LEDS), the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Program (MDOCS), the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum, and other entities at Skidmore, this individual will contribute to visual literacy and information literacy efforts in service of our forthcoming general education curriculum, which goes into effect in Fall 2020.

As a library faculty member, the Spatial Data Librarian will be expected to keep abreast of relevant literature for current awareness of trends, developments, and best practices in librarianship; perform outreach and liaison duties to key departments, as well as offer more general workshops and events; develop, assess, and revise online resource guides, discovery tools, and digital resources in support of designated departments; participate in the delivery of general and specialized reference services, including individual consultations; build collections in key subject areas; and perform other duties as assigned. This is a 12-month, non-tenured faculty position. Review of applications will begin December 3rd.

Skills & Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Geography, Geographic Information Science, or other relevant field, or relevant work experience
  • ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science OR equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Minimum two years of professional work experience in an academic library organization OR minimum two years of experience teaching credit-bearing courses
  • Extensive knowledge and expertise with spatial data and relevant software, including applications of same in research and teaching
  • Knowledge of maps, cartography, and cartographic history, and knowledge of the organization of information and of scholarship in relevant disciplines
  • Working knowledge of indexing/cataloging standards for cartographic resources and metadata standards for spatial data
  • Evidence of effective outreach to faculty and students
  • Demonstrated excellence in teaching and understanding of effective pedagogical approaches for teaching spatial literacy
  • Ability to embrace and/or evaluate emerging technologies
  • Familiarity with field data collection using GPS, including project design and related mobile applications (e.g., TerraSync, Fulcrum, GAIA, Avenza)
  • Experience managing ArcGIS Online, including curation of user-generated information and college-published resources, as well as oversight of user accounts and policies for private, organizational, and public-facing digital collections
  • Advanced degree in geography or other relevant field
  • More than two years of experience teaching credit-bearing courses
  • Experience with data management planning
  • Familiarity with one or more standard statistical software programs such as SAS, STATA, SPSS, R
  • Demonstrated understanding of geodatabase design database and related software programs or formats such as Microsoft Access or Filemaker
  • Experience developing a multifaceted program for a multidisciplinary constituency
  • Experience creating professional quality graphics suitable for scholarly publishing
  • Demonstrated project management skills
  • Demonstrated success fostering relationships between the library and academic departments

To be considered for this position, please fill out an online application and attach the following documents: cover letter, resume and list of three references to include name, title, company, email address and telephone number of three professional references.

Documents must be attached through the application system. If you encounter difficulty, please contact Human Resources at: [email protected] or 518 580.5800

Company Website: https://careers.skidmore.edu/postings/2501