Digital Technologies Development Librarian

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Caltech Library is seeking a Digital Technologies Development Librarian (DTDL) to lead the development of user-oriented web-based services for the data-intensive Caltech research and teaching community. The DTDL envisions, designs, and implements new tools, technology services, and collaboration infrastructures to support scholarship, teaching, and learning. The DTDL optimizes and enhances content delivery tools and application infrastructure to support researchers in an increasingly broad and varied information discovery environment.

The successful candidate will have web development experience, scripting skills for data management and manipulation, and experience using APIs in a library or similar information-oriented environment.

The DTDL will be a skilled project manager and effective communicator. The role is highly collaborative, working with staff throughout the Library to plan and manage projects. Working with two developers and the Research Data Specialist, the DTDL plans, implements, and documents project components, including project specifications, code (using a collaborative repo, i.e., GitHub), and end-user documentation.

The DTDL has the opportunity to collaborate with librarians in software and data management instruction through the Library's instructional program (Software and Data Carpentry).

Job Duties

• Provides technical and project leadership for library information discovery and delivery systems development.
• Leads the library's Web team in the development of the library's online presence on all platforms.
• Coordinates technology implementation with librarians, other content managers, and IT staff.
• Works collaboratively with library staff and campus stakeholders to design and develop the technical foundation for new library services.
• Develops, implements, and integrates digital tools and techniques in support of research and instruction, and staff activities.
• Identifies appropriate established and emerging technologies to meet the needs of digital projects.
• Works with IT staff to maintain and enhance existing library services and develop supporting infrastructure.
• Writes both technical and end-user documentation.
• Manages projects as appropriate and coordinates library-wide projects as needed.
• Serves on Library and campus committees and teams.
• Is active professionally as a librarian.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in library/information science or equivalent advanced degree.
• Experience in a library or other professional information management environment.
• Understanding of contemporary library information structures, standards, and systems.
• Familiarity with the provision of information services in a highly technical environment.
• Experience with piloting and prototyping technologies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as evidenced by documentation, presentations, and instruction experience.
• Experience managing (creating, transforming, validating, relating, etc.) data.
• Experience with client-side technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing data with library systems (e.g., FOLIO, ArchivesSpace, LibGuides).
• Scripting and application development experience (we use Bash/Shell, Python, TypeScript, and others).
• Knowledge of user-centered design processes (user studies, use of analytics for data-centered decision-making).
• Familiarity working collaboratively using GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.
• Familiarity with web analytics and search engine optimization.
• Experience working in an academic library.
• Project management experience.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter