Data Analyst and Curator

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
This position plays an integral role in the functioning of Koerner Library and the Research Commons. The position supports the work of the Research Data Management librarian by acting as the primary curational contact for researchers who deposit their data. The incumbent manages the dataset quality assurance and deposit curation process, referring questions to the RDM librarian as appropriate. The incumbent, as a member of the Library Data team, generates reports for Library employees, compiles data for statistical surveys, and helps manage operational data collection and reporting platforms. The position supports the work of the Geospatial team by ensuring that our geospatial data is accessible and that our geospatial data platforms function properly. The incumbent supports the Library's map collections by helping ensure the discoverability of the collections and by helping users locate and access materials. The incumbent works with colleagues to address facilities issues in Koerner Library and participates in projects and serves as a member of Library working groups or teams as requested.

Organizational Status
Reports to and is accountable to the Head, Koerner Library. Receives functional supervision and work assignments from librarians in the unit. Interacts with librarians and staff within all Library units as well as other staff, students, faculty, and external stakeholders.

Work Performed

• Participates in the development, operation, and maintenance of the Library's geospatial, operational data and research data infrastructure.
• Uses scripting languages and tools for data collection, creation, manipulation and management for use within Library-supported platforms and services (e.g. GitHub, SQL, R, Python, QGIS, Excel, OpenRefine).
• Collects, analyzes, interprets, and reports on data from multiple sources.
• Helps to maintain and provide support for UBC Library's implementation of LibInsight software.
• Responsible for managing user accounts in selected UBC Library platforms (e.g. LibInsight, Tableau).
• Prepares interactive dashboards and reports using Excel, Tableau or similar visualization software, providing access to data from UBC Library systems in response to internal requests.
• Contributes to Library services involving the map collection (e.g. discoverability, physical arrangement, retrieval of materials, large-format scanning, resolving complex issues).
• Works closely with colleagues to develop and maintain thorough and consistent procedures for research data deposit and curation.
• Adopts a user-centred approach to supporting researchers in the preparation and deposit of research datasets into Library-supported data repositories.
• Manages data curation workflows using appropriate checklists, tools and techniques.
• Reviews and assesses researcher-prepared datasets to identify and monitor compliance with institutional, national and international standards. Notes data limitations and submits curation feedback to researchers with recommendations for data clean-up and resubmission. Publishes fully curated datasets in Library-supported repositories.
• Supports the development and maintenance of tutorials, guides, documentation, and other self-learning tools to enable users to effectively access and fully utilize research data and related information resources for teaching, learning, and research activities.
• Ensures that sensitive information in Library-supported data repositories, including but not limited to Indigenous information, is protected in accordance with relevant legislation, UBC practices / procedures and other guidelines.
• Helps provide administrative and communications support for the unit. Reviews and updates data in LibCal and the UBC Events Calendar. Trains new staff on LibCal procedures
• Ensures that the public and staff spaces are clean and organized and that Koerner Library has appropriate supplies and resources. Reports any issues to UBC Building Operations or other units, as appropriate.
• Helps coordinate facility repairs and custodial requests for Koerner Library.
• Supports Koerner Library events and workshops by managing event bookings, registration, room set-up, audio-visual and equipment set-up, and troubleshooting, following established guidelines. Makes catering arrangements; reconciles and follows up on outstanding expenses for events. Books events for external groups and coordinates logistics. Attends events and functions, as required.
• Assists with special projects as required.
• Develops working relationships based on cooperation, mutual learning, and sharing with other UBC Library units. Assists with special projects as required.
• Participates in Library operational working groups or committees as approved by supervisor.
• Performs other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Works independently under minimal supervision within established policies and procedures, taking initiative to plan and complete recurring assignments independently, applying judgement to prioritize tasks and determine solutions in unusual situations. Exercises judgement in knowing when to consult a librarian or other staff for support. Exercises judgement to interpret stakeholder needs and determine which of many methods are applicable in each situation. Responsibilities are broad in scope, with limited opportunity for standardized solutions. Consequences of error include loss of access to data required for a variety of Library workflows; misrepresentation of data, which could negatively affect decisions about policy or services; inefficient use of resources; loss of reputation for UBC. Must exercise good judgement and diplomacy in working with patrons. Consequences of inappropriate judgement are adverse patron relations requiring the intervention of a librarian or the Head to resolve.

Supervision Received
Accountable to and receives supervision from the Head, Koerner Library, who also conducts performance reviews. The incumbent works closely with and may receive functional supervision from other staff and librarians in Koerner Library. Works independently to perform most duties and refers new or unusual problems to supervisor.

Supervision Given
Trains new staff and/or students in work procedures, as requested.

Minimum Qualifications
High School graduation, plus two year Library Technician diploma, plus four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience with scripting languages and/or data manipulation tools such as SQL, R, Python, Excel, and OpenRefine. Ability to use Microsoft Office applications (particularly Outlook, Word and Excel) at an advanced level.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful completion of an undergraduate degree.
• Experience with version control systems such as Git / Github.
• Experience with data visualization and reporting software such as Tableau.
• Experience with QGIS or other GIS software.
• Ability to use database applications at an intermediate level.
• A demonstrated aptitude and interest in technology as well as an ability to learn new programs quickly.
• Ability to communicate clearly with different audiences and means of communications.
• Experience building productive relationships and working collegially with a diverse population of colleagues and/or users in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement.
• Effective interpersonal, public service and organizational skills, and the ability to deal with a diversity of people in a in a respectful, supportive, and constructive manner.
• Ability to compose correspondence and reports using concise business English.
• Demonstrated skill in ensuring precision and thoroughness in work.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Demonstrated skill in handling sensitive situations with care and thoughtfulness.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to accurately complete job-specific tasks within required timelines and deadlines.
• Ability to operate a normal range of library and office equipment. Ability to lift up to 20 kg.
• Ability to work a five-day work week, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Knowledge of and experience in UBC and Library policies and procedures preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with different qualitative and quantitative data types and formats including numeric, geospatial, image, and video.
• Demonstrated ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills when verifying the quality of data, and in the use of computer systems and software for the manipulation and clean-up of data.
• Familiarity with database or repository structure and development.
• Familiarity with metadata standards to describe both data sets and data variables.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple projects at once, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work in teams.
• Flexible, approachable and able to work well under pressure.