University of Minnesota Libraries seeks Assistant Director for Data Curation Network

Text courtesy of the University of Minnesota Libraries

The University of Minnesota Libraries seeks an Assistant Director who will bring combined skills in project management and community-building to coordinate all aspects of the Data Curation Network (DCN). 

With the DCN’s Director, the Assistant Director will directly engage and work with the DCN’s distributed network of data curators. Specifically, the Assistant Director will oversee daily curation operations of the Network, including managing our distributed data curation services and maintaining high levels of quality, as well as engaging in the business and planning aspects of the DCN with a team of dedicated representatives and project Co-PIs who are committed to the success of the DCN. Dependent on disciplinary background and expertise, the Assistant Director may also take on data curation duties as desired.

The DCN is headquartered at the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota Libraries is the hiring institution for the position and offers a range of flexible work options, including fully remote (see https://humanresources.umn.edu/work-flexibility/flexible-work-options/).

Responsibilities

Community management and support (40%)

• Liaise with DCN interest groups and committees (membership and education), providing support as needed.
• Advocate for DCN curators and their interests.
• Assist with member management by leading onboarding and off-boarding of new members and member teams; provide additional periodic training as needed.
• Promote and communicate about the DCN’s accomplishments and initiatives, hosting webinars, contributing to website content, and keeping the website updated with DCN member information.

Administration and project management (30%)

• With the governance board, advance the DCN as a sustainable member-driven organization by providing budget/finance management, travel reimbursement, purchasing, etc.
• Coordinate the development and execution of a strategic plan for the DCN with milestones for completion.
• Plan and organize annual project team meetings and training workshops.
• Co-create and manage a knowledgebase of curation best practices and maintain internal procedure guidelines, common curation issues, and recommend solutions.
• Track metrics to support evaluation of the project.
• Provide up-to-date information on progress to DCN Representatives on a regular basis.
• Maintain project documentation, including statistical/tracking information to include in reports to granting agencies, and coordinate all reporting activities.

Curation Coordination (15%)

• Coordinate distributed data curation services across a network of institutions and chair the newly formed Curator Committee.
• Provide quality assurance on curation assignments to ensure consistent curation standards are met.
• Monitor new data submissions and assign submissions to appropriate and/or best fit curators using appropriate triage techniques.
• Be the point of contact for DCN Curators. Lead regular DCN Curator check-in meetings (virtual conference calls). Resolve questions or connect DCN Curators to additional support or resources.
• Participate in the development and delivery of training and instructional materials.

Outreach and Communication (10%)

• Contribute to keeping the DCN web presence and outreach materials fresh and up-to-date.
• Contribute to creation and sharing of promotional materials to highlight project progress and milestones.
• Present on DCN topics at national conferences and professional meetings.

Curation (5%)

• Perform high-level curation actions on all data sets (e.g. file integrity checks, file inventory/manifests, etc.).
• Perform specific curation actions on data sets as assigned, depending on qualifications and expertise.

This is a full-time, 12-month, annual renewable, academic professional position. The base salary for this position is $58,500.  The Libraries offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.

To learn more and apply for these positions, go to the University of Minnesota employment website and search for the Job ID 343460.